Robert Grandjambe, “Observations from the Land: Insights from 27 Years of Trapping, Hunting and Fishing on the Alberta Landscape”

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Nov. 15, 2018
Hosted by the Canadian Parks Research Network at the University of Alberta

Rapid change – consumers demand more than is available
Trapping has now transformed into a more humane method and this is important to maintaining sustainability
People need to be more aware of the changes that will impact animals
Trappers try to understand the complexities of the environment and learn from previous experiences
Collaboration needed to manage species and ensure their continuity
Pine Lake – Wood Buffalo National Park
- Set trap lines for trapping within the park – he was identified as a nuisance to parks by the park’s superintendent
- Parks Canada claims his trap line interrupted hiking paths and an active beach
- He was considered a commercial trapper by Parks Canada and was under surveillance. No charges
- Court case with Parks Canada over dismantling of Robert’s trapping cabin, the loss of trapping opportunities and trapping equipment
- Shows a mindset of the dominant society – to build bridges forward we must start off on the same path
- According to Parks Canada, he is the only active trapper within the park – this shows the removal of Indigenous Peoples from the land
Attaching monetary values to trapping to manage it is not beneficial

How many people are aware things like this are happening?
Some policies restrict people from carrying on with their way of life (trapping, etc.)

Indigenous voices first – guiding questions limit the conversations
Brady Highway – what do the settler communities want from Indigenous communities? To take away knowledge?
Find a place to create space for Indigenous people to lead the way in conservation
Tension between “taking away knowledge” and wanting to engage with Indigenous communities
How can a single representative from Indigenous communities speak on behalf of a large amount of people (who all have varying values and opinions)?
Comparing differences between communities is not productive
“How to make this more human for Indigenous People” – with regards to collaboration on parks management and conservation
Challenges with framing PR – ensuring information shared to the public is fair to everyone
What about revenue generation for the local Indigenous communities?
Creating a place for productive conversations to occur and facilitate these discussions – the communities will decide what is appropriate for conservation management