13.0 Storytelling · 2016-05-13 · me that your grandpa, Phillip Beaver, he said that's the best storyteller he’d ever seen in his life. He said we used to pay him cigarettes just

SECTION 13.0 STORYTELLING

HEG FRONTIER MINE PROJECT ICA PAGE 302 OF 419

13.0 Storytelling

The activity of storytelling has a long history with Fort McKay Métis. Storytelling is closely tied to the activity of Getting Together described in Section 12. However, Fort McKay Métis felt is was unique and important enough to be identified as a separate activity.

Storytelling is an important way to transfer knowledge among members and to maintain and teach traditional language. Virtually every Fort McKay Métis member has strong memories of Elders or family members telling stories. Storytelling took place anywhere Métis people gathered, from the dinner table to larger community celebrations. Traditionally, gatherings were a time of sharing and social interaction, for the transmission of traditional knowledge, the building of political consensus, of conducting marriages and of storytelling. (HEG 2009)

The Métis storytelling tradition is founded in both the First Nation oral tradition as well as French and Scottish traditions of storytelling. Fort McKay Métis members who were good storytellers were respected and important members of the community.

Yeah, that's a big part of the culture was storytelling. Henry Shots, he told me that your grandpa, Phillip Beaver, he said that's the best storyteller he’d ever seen in his life. He said we used to pay him cigarettes just to tell us stories. (FMM005-WS1)

The maintenance and teaching of traditional language is a central component of storytelling.

But the old people speak about three languages or four languages, the old people. English, Dene, and Cree that's what a lot of the old people talk. There's a lot of old people that, even today, like you can talk to Jamis Grandejam he can speak fluent Dene and fluent Cree. (FMM002-W1)

My grandparents, Phelix and Maryanne, my gran spoke nothing but Cree my grandfather spoke nothing but Cree. So they taught each other. FMM002-WS1)

13.1 Storytelling in the 1960s

Storytelling was still a common and important activity for Fort McKay Métis in the 1960s, although a Métis family’s ability to spend time in the bush began to be eroded in the 1940s and 1950s as the government made school attendance compulsory and paid “family allowance” payments if people resided year-round in Fort McKay. This resulted in many of the women and young staying year-round



in Fort McKay while their husbands stayed alone for extended periods in the bush working the trap lines. Spending less time together meant that there were fewer opportunities for storytelling. However, there was still a large amount of storytelling in the 1960s, and the use of Cree language was still very common (FMFM, 1994).

13.1.1 Cultural Values Linked to Storytelling in the 1960s

By the 1960s, the linkages between cultural values and the activity of storytelling had changed from earlier in the century, but storytelling was still supporting the following cultural values:

• Identity;

• Self reliance;

• Self determination;

• Cooperation;

• Caring;

• Cohesion;

• Faith;

• Pride;

• Happiness;

• Understanding nature; and

• Respect.

Identity

The Métis traditions, which combined First Nation and European belief systems, were supported by the activity of Storytelling.

With it [storytelling]) then you're able to pass that on to your kids ... We have got to fight to retain our culture. We have to. Because unless we know who we are, we we're just blowing in the wind. (FMM005-WS1)

Self Reliance

Storytelling was an important way that knowledge was transferred among community members. Sharing this traditional knowledge enabled Fort McKay Métis members to survive in the bush and was a linked to the value of self-reliance.



Long time ago, I remember anyway. My dad, his brother-in-law used to come sit down there couple of hours, tell stories which way that moss over there, or moss this way … But now today, no … don’t visit too much. (Campbell et al. 2005)

Self Determination / Leadership

Storytelling often relates knowledge about historical events, family inter-connectedness or about relations with other Métis communities. Therefore it contributed to the value of leadership and governance.

Cohesion

The cultural value of cohesion had a strong linkage to Storytelling, as it sustained and built up the relationships that Métis members had with one another.

Johnny Orr used to always [tell stories]. Old people from McKay here used to come down the river to my “Kohkom’s” house, 2-3 days they used to stay awake. They used to tell stories and I would roll cigarettes for them. (FMM002-WS1)

Caring and Cooperation

Caring and Cooperation were supported as the activity of Storytelling was used as a way to help one another, especially when storytelling was used by Elders and parents to share and look after each other’s children in the bush while the adults were hunting, trapping, fishing, etc.

Towards the evening, when it's getting dark, our parents would call us and they'll say ‘stay quiet now. It's getting dark. And, you guys don't make noise at night.’ Every one of us always used to go in, and then we used to go visit and, uh, our dads would be telling stories. And, we'd just be sitting there, making tea. They'd be telling the story and whatnot down there (FMM001-WS1)

But it's, it's a pass time that I think that, uh, we definitely want to teach and pass down to our kids. Is the ability to tell a good story. (FMM005-WS1)

Faith

Storytelling was an important way that the unique spiritual beliefs of the Fort McKay Métis were passed from one generation to the next. The Fort McKay Métis members used stories to talk about mythical creatures such as “Wesakechak”, “Maci-manitowi” and “Witiko”.



Yep. They would tell you stories. Tell you about Witiko when you were young and you would be terrified, and sleep with blankets pulled up. (FMM005-WS1)

Pride

There was a sense of pride in being a good storyteller and the act of sitting around telling stories contributed to the sense of satisfaction with being part of the Fort McKay Métis community.

It all happened together and the storytelling as well. Aside from the music, as a past time, people would tell stories. You would sit and listen- Like Barb used to listen to her mom. Same thing when I used to go out onto the trap line, I’d to listen to your grandmother, and the old people here. (FMM006-WS1)

Happiness

Virtually every Fort McKay Métis member has strong memories of people telling stories. It played an important role in their sense of happiness.

People used to do that [tell stories]. Yeah, my mom learned from her dad. We used to be falling asleep and my mom would be still talking, and she would tell all the stories in Cree. Yep. It was nice. (FMM002-WS1)

Understanding Nature

Storytelling was an important way in which information of the environment was transferred among the Fort McKay Métis. Stories were used to describe the times of year that certain activities took place and how some activities were supposed to be undertaken. Historical information about weather and the seasons was passed on using stories that would be repeated over generations.

I use to [go hunting]. My grandpa, taught me everything, out in the bush. Oh it [out hunting with grampa] was awesome. Just hearing stories, learning neat stuff everyday. How to hunt and track. That's pretty wicked. (FMM003-WS1)

Respect

Storytelling was an important way in which Fort McKay Métis showed their respect for all things on the earth. The stories all had morals or lessons and many related to the consequences if someone did not show the proper respect to all things that are on the earth.



There's a story about him (Wesakechak), he got all these animals to come to his cabin, and he blindfolded them, and he told them all to dance. He was singing. They were dancing. Now that they all were dancing, with their blindfolds, he was breaking their necks. He was going to eat them, right? Then the loon peaked and he saw that and he screamed something is killing us. So to punish him, Wesakechak kicked the loon right in the ass. And that's why his legs are so far back on loons body. Because Wesakechak kicked him in the ass (laughter) and that's why the lune cries out in the morning, you ever hear him, he's mourning right. Those were stories that were taught as kids to show all things are connected. (FMM005-WS1)

Figure 13-1 Cultural Values Linked to Storytelling in the 1960s

13.2 Industrial Stressors Affecting Storytelling

The activity of Storytelling is closely associated with using Cree language. Many societal stressors have had a significant effect on this activity since the 1960’s. In



addition to societal stressors, there have also been industrial stressors identified by Fort McKay Métis members.

The following descriptions of industry stressors affecting Storytelling build off of the stressors described in previous sections and are based on community observations and experiences. Métis community members feel that industry stressors affecting the activity of Storytelling are:

• Loss of land;

• Changes in access to land;

• Increased participation in the wage economy; and

• Increased population.

13.2.1 Loss of Land

The information on loss of land presented in Section 6: Trapping is applicable here, as are the indicators used to track changes to loss of land. Historically, it was in the bush where the majority of the visiting and storytelling occurred. As described previously, storytelling would happen while Métis were hunting, trapping or fishing. It was an activity closely associated with activities that required access to the bush. Telling stories was often an informal activity that occurred when Métis members got together.

Margie tells stories, like without even knowing it … Thecla too and the other Métis Elder …. and whenever they get together, they be talking about the old stuff, just getting together. And they didn't even realize it, it’s not like a premeditated type of thing. … It [storytelling] just kind of, just naturally happens. (FMM006-WS1)

The loss of traditional lands around Fort McKay has negatively affected the opportunities for Fort McKay Métis to spend time together and tell stories. This loss of land has worked cumulatively with other broader social stressors to result in fewer Fort McKay Métis members telling stories and a reduction in the number of Métis members speaking traditional languages.

13.2.2 Changes in Access to Land

As described in previous sections on hunting and trapping, along with the loss of land, the difficulty that Fort McKay Métis have in accessing what land is left has impacted the opportunities they have to visit and tell stories.

INTERVIEWER: So you said historically you're all together, you tell stories. Is there a space where you can have that now?



FMM003-WS1: Some people still do, but most everybody, like they said yesterday, they've lost their trap lines, they've lost access to their traditional areas. Most all the leases are all spoken for, so a lot of them are already developed, they've got gates up, you got to go through security. Sometimes you get hassled.

13.2.3 Increased Participation in the Wage Economy

The industry stressors described in Section 10: Commerce would also apply here. Working in the wage economy is typically done with non-Aboriginal workers and the opportunity to share stories with other Métis people does not exist. Shift work for industry requires travel to the project sites, but this travel it typically done alone in a vehicle, and not with other Fort McKay Métis members. Increased participation in the wage economy results in fewer opportunities to tell stories and negatively affects the linkages to cultural values supported by Storytelling.

But that's telling stories, that's all a part of everything we do here. All our lives, everything we learned from our parents, we kind of pass that on to our kids, now. It's just a continuous learning process for everybody. But we forget now because of the jobs, because there's so many other things to do, not time. (FMM002-WS1)

Well, you could say they [industry] pushed the language out because with the oil stands coming in. That's what I'm saying is with the oil sands coming in, all the development, people had to go work in the oil sands, so they had to be able to speak English to work in the oil sands. Whereas on trap line, they spoke Cree, but to be able to do business in this day and age, you have to be very good at speaking English. (FMM005-WS2)

13.2.4 Increased Population

Access to land and the loss of land described previously is made worse by the increased regional population and the significant increase in off-highway vehicle access by non-Aboriginal land users into areas that were previously very isolated. The combination of increased roads and larger regional population will substantially impact wildlife species that are culturally import to Fort McKay Métis. Without this wildlife, there will be reduced hunting and trapping and therefore reduced opportunities for Storytelling.

13.3 Storytelling in 2015

As the land around Fort McKay continues to be taken up by industrial developments, there are fewer opportunities for storytelling and therefore the amount of storytelling by Fort McKay Métis members has decreased. Associated with this is a decrease in the number of people speaking Cree.



Probably around, say about 40% to 50% of Fort McKay Métis speak Cree, the younger generation doesn't speak it very much. (FMM015-WS1)

Studies indicate that for Aboriginal languages, the younger the speakers the healthier the language (Norris 1998). Of particular concern with the loss of storytelling is the reduced number of youth who are telling stories in Cree. The decrease in Fort McKay Métis members who speak Cree is tied to many of the other cumulative challenges that the Fort McKay Métis face. As traditional language is the main vehicle for cultural transferences (INAC1996), finding ways for Métis youth to use their language more is an ongoing concern for the Fort McKay Métis.

Video games are teaching our kids. I mean if they could make a Cree speaking video game, I'd buy 100 copies, and I'm being honest. Our language is something that's lost ... to be able to have the ability to bring that back to this community, just the ability to speak your own language, that would be big. (FMM005-WS2)

13.3.1 Cultural Values Linked to Storytelling in 2015

Currently, the opportunities for Fort McKay Métis members to gather and tell stories are very limited. Informal visiting is less frequent, as other demands (such as wage employment) result in less time to spend with other Métis members, as mentioned in the previous section on Getting Together with friends and family. Correlated with this is the reduced use of Cree language among Métis members, especially among youth in Fort McKay.

As a result, some of the linkages between the activity of Storytelling and key cultural values have been weakened. Cultural values that have linkages to the activity of Storytelling are:

• Identity;

• Self reliance;

• Self determination;

• Cooperation;

• Caring;

• Cohesion;

• Faith;

• Pride;



• Happiness;

• Understanding Nature; and

• Respect.

Pride and Identity

The sense of pride in being able to tell stories and particularly to be able to speak Cree has diminished since the 1960s. Cree is one of the few indigenous languages in Canada that is predicted to continue to be spoken, as many indigenous languages are predicted to become extinct (McIvor 2009). However, as a result of the cumulative stress that development has placed on Fort McKay, Métis members are facing additional challenges in maintaining the activity of Storytelling and learning their language.

That would be a lot [to be able to speak Cree], because I've been around other native people speaking their language and I felt lost like I’m missing something, like I’m not whole but they always laugh at people who can't speak it, they think its funny. It’s a sense of pride. (FMM015-WS1)

The Métis tradition of Storytelling was strongly linked to the Fort McKay Métis cultural values of Identity and Pride. Learning to tell stories and speak in Cree is not as common as it was in the 1960s. With the reduction in the opportunities to visit and tell stories and speak Cree, the linkage to identity has become very weak.

Self Reliance

Storytelling was an important way that traditional knowledge was transferred among community members. With less information being shared through Storytelling, the linkage with self-reliance has become weak.


Storytelling often relates knowledge about historical events, family inter-connectedness or about relations with other Métis communities. This linkage is not as strong as it was historically, and is a moderately strong linkage currently.

Cooperation and Caring

Supporting one another through Storytelling and specifically through the teaching of Cree to youth very rarely occurs, as compared to the pre-development 1960s, and are moderately strong linkages currently.



Cohesion

The linkage between the cultural value of cohesion and the activity of Storytelling has weakened since the 1960s. Currently, there are only a very few opportunities where Storytelling takes place, and therefore there is a weakened linkage to building cohesion and connections in the Fort McKay Métis community.

You hear the Elders and you hear a lot of these community members say, ‘We don't visit each other anymore.’ There just isn’t the opportunity where you can sit down and talk, and listen to someone talk Cree. (FMM005-WS1)

Faith

Storytelling is still a way that the unique spiritual beliefs of the Fort McKay Métis are passed from one generation to the next. The lack of opportunities to tell stories and the loss of the traditional language has resulted in this linkage being weakened.

Happiness

As with the other linkages to cultural values, the linkage to Happiness has also weakened and is currently moderately strong. The positive emotions that people remembered from years ago of sitting around and hearing stories told is weakened as storytelling rarely occurs.


Storytelling was an important way in which information about the environment was transferred among the Fort McKay Métis members. As storytelling occurs much less frequently than it did prior to development in the 1960s, the linkage to understanding nature has become moderately strong.

Respect

Storytelling could still be an important way in which Fort McKay Métis learn about respect for all things on the earth. The stories told today still often have morals or lessons and many still relate to the consequences when someone does not show the proper respect to all things that are on the earth. Respect is not instilled as much now as stories are told less frequently, and therefore the linkage is moderately strong.

Table 13-1 summarizes the changes in activity-value linkages for Storytelling for Métis. These are the value linkages represented in Figure 13-2.



Table 13-1 Summary of Activity-Value Linkages for Storytelling in 2015

Have cumulative stressors changed how, where, when and why cultural activities occur?

Line used in Cultural Model Cultural value has been affected by changes to cultural activity

No, when performed, the cultural activity continues to instill cultural values in the same way.

Yes, cumulative cultural stressors have changed why, how, where and when cultural activities occur and as a result, the extent to which the value is instilled is lessened

Self Determination Cooperation Caring Happiness Understanding Nature Respect

Yes, cumulative cultural stressors have changed why, how, where and when cultural activities occur and as a result severely diminished the opportunities to instill this value

Identity Self Reliance Faith Pride



Figure 13-2 Cultural Values Linked to Storytelling in 2015

13.4 Potential Impacts to Storytelling from the Frontier Mine Project

This section describes some of the potential impacts the Frontier Mine Project will have and the project’s contribution to regional cumulative effects.

13.4.1 Frontier Mine Project Stressors

Section 13.2 describes some of the industrial stressors that are the causing existing cumulative effects to the opportunities that Fort McKay Métis members have for storytelling. The stressors that the Frontier Mine Project would contribute to in relation to Storytelling for the Fort McKay Métis are:

• Loss of land;

• Changes in access to land;

• Increased participation in the wage economy; and

• Increased population.



Loss of Land

The Frontier Mine Project’s specific contribution to loss of Métis traditional land is described in Section 6. The Frontier Mine Project will take up one of the few remaining good areas of land that Fort McKay Métis members use and will result in fewer traditional activities taking place in the bush. As described in the Fort McKay TLU Study for the Frontier Mine Project (August 2011), there were six sites within the Frontier Mine footprint that Fort McKay identified as having specific cultural/spiritual values. One of those sites was specifically identified as an area of key importance to a traditional story. With the Frontier Mine Project, the reduction in activities in the bush will result in fewer opportunities for storytelling and the use of Cree language. With the loss of land, the Frontier Mine Project will negatively affect Fort McKay Métis members’ opportunities to speak their language and share stories.

Changes in Access to Land

The Frontier Mine Project will result in reduced access to Métis traditional lands and more barriers, such as gates, will negatively affect the Fort McKay Métis members ‘opportunities to tell stories and speak Cree.

Increased Participation in the Wage Economy

The industry stressors described in Section 10: Commerce would also apply here. Teck makes no firm commitments to hire Fort McKay Métis members nor contract Métis companies, even though increased employment and commercial opportunities are priorities for the Fort McKay Métis. The effect of the two stressors listed above will result in less opportunity to earn a living from traditional activities, and to replace that opportunity, Fort McKay Métis members will need to increase their involvement in the wage economy. As described in Section 13.2, working in the wage economy does not provide the same opportunities for storytelling or for speaking Cree as working in the traditional economy. Therefore, it is anticipated that the Frontier Mine Project will negatively affects the linkages to cultural values supported by Storytelling.

Increased Population

As described in Section 11.4, the Frontier Mine Project will have a construction and operation camp. The workforce at the camp will vary between 2,000 and 3,000 workers, depending on the phase of development. The Frontier Mine Project will use a lodge-based approach to accommodation for construction and operations. During construction and operations, the Frontier Mine Project will contribute to regional population growth through indirect and induced employment. During operations, Teck estimates that 90% of workers will live outside the region and fly in for work. There is some uncertainty around this



estimate, as recent hiring practices from the Fort Hills Oil Sands Project resulted in larger numbers of local residents applying for work on the Project.

The Frontier Mine Project’s contribution to increased regional population, plus the fact that it will open up access to land west of the Athabasca River which was previously difficult for non-Aboriginal recreation users to access, is expected to increase access by non-Aboriginal land users into areas that were previously very isolated. This is predicted to reduce the ability and interest of Fort McKay Métis members to access the bush, and therefore fewer opportunities for storytelling and speaking Cree.

13.4.2 Frontier Mine Project Effects on Linkages with Cultural Values

As part of the process of determining the strength of the link between the activity of Storytelling and the twelve cultural values portrayed in the cultural model, Fort McKay Métis members generated a list of value-based indicators.

These indicators are a list of the things community members feel should be used to describe the effects oil sand development is having on Storytelling and Fort McKay Métis culture. The value-based indicators are discussed for each cultural value. The impact of the Frontier Mine Project on the linkages is then described using the Impact Ranking Criteria described in Section 5.

Wherever data was available, they were considered in the indicators in the Frontier Mine Project ICA. MMSC hopes to start tracking more information related to cultural activities and socio-cultural conditions in the future.

Identity

Fort McKay Métis members indicated that the Frontier Mine would adversely affect the linkage with Identity if:

• Fewer traditional names of places in Fort McKay Métis territory are referred to in their traditional Cree names (i.e., government and industry including traditional names on maps as well as community members referring to locations in Cree).

• There is a decrease in the number of Fort McKay Métis members who speak Cree or who are attending Cree language classes.

• Fewer places are available for Fort McKay Métis members to meet and tell stories, both in the community and in the bush.

• Survey of Fort McKay Métis members who say they are less familiar with traditional stories and learn about Métis history through storytelling.



The Frontier Mine Project makes no firm commitments to fund offset programs such as Cree language classes or cultural camps. No commitments have been made to other mitigations or offsets that would affect the indicators described above.

For these reasons the potential impact of the Frontier Mine Project on the linkage is negative; the societal extent is community wide; the magnitude is low; the geographic extent is regional; the duration is long term and therefore considered of medium importance. Because the impact is on a weak linkage and likely to occur, the effect is considered highly significant.

Self Reliance

The Fort McKay Métis members feel the Frontier Mine Project would be contributing to adverse cumulative effects related to Self Reliance if:


The Frontier Mine Project will contribute the stressors listed in Section 13.4, so the mine will contribute to the cumulative negative effect on Storytelling. Teck makes no specific commitments to support cultural or language programs that could offset the negative effect from project stressors.

For these reasons, the potential impact of the Frontier Mine Project on the linkage is negative; the societal extent is community wide; the magnitude is low; the geographic extent is regional; the duration is long term and therefore considered of medium importance. Because the impact is on a weak linkage and likely to occur, the effect is considered highly significant.


The Fort McKay Métis members feel the Frontier Mine Project would be contributing to adverse cumulative effects related to Self Determination/Leadership if:

• FMMCA has a less active role in organizing and delivering cultural and language programs.

• Less funding is available to support Fort McKay Métis celebrations and cultural events

The Frontier Mine Project will contribute to the stressors listed in Section 13.4, so will also contribute to the cumulative negative effect on Storytelling. Teck makes no specific commitments to support for cultural or language programs that could offset the negative effect from project stressors.



For these reasons, the potential impact of the Frontier Mine Project on the linkage is negative; the societal extent is community wide; the magnitude is low; the geographic extent is regional; the duration is long term and therefore considered of medium importance. Because the impact is on a moderately strong linkage and likely to occur, the effect is considered moderately significant.


Supporting one another through storytelling, and specifically through the teaching of Cree to youth, is very important. Fort McKay Métis members indicated that the linkages with Cooperation and Caring would be adversely affected if:

• Fewer Fort McKay Métis members are involved in sharing historical information or teaching language classes to other community members.

• Fewer Fort McKay Métis members who are able to tell stories to each in other, and especially in Cree.

The Frontier Mine Project will contribute to the stressors listed in Section 13.4 and as a result, will reduce the opportunities that Fort McKay Métis have to spend in the bush and therefore result in fewer opportunities to tell stories. Teck has made no firm commitments to support cultural events or language programs.

For these reasons, the potential impact of the Frontier Mine Project on the linkages is negative; the societal impact is at the community level; the magnitude is low; the geographic extent is local; the duration is long term and therefore considered of medium importance. Because the impact is on moderately strong linkages, and is likely, the effect is considered moderately significant.

Cohesion

The Fort McKay Métis members feel the Frontier Mine Project would be contributing to adverse cumulative effects related to Cohesion if:

• Surveys showed that visiting among Fort McKay Métis members was decreasing.

• Fewer places (e.g. a cultural centre) are available for Fort McKay Métis members to meet and tell stories, both in the community and in the bush.

The Frontier Mine Project will contribute to the stressors listed in Section 13.4, so will contribute to the cumulative negative effect on Storytelling. Teck makes no specific commitments to support cultural or language programs that could offset the negative effect from project stressors.



For these reasons, the potential impact of the Frontier Project on the linkage is negative; the societal extent is community wide; the magnitude is low; the geographic extent is regional; the duration is long term and therefore considered of medium importance. Because the impact is on a weak linkage and likely to occur, the effect is considered highly significant.

Faith

Storytelling is still a way that the unique spiritual beliefs of the Fort McKay Métis are passed from one generation to the next. The Fort McKay Métis members feel the Frontier Mine Project would be contributing to adverse cumulative effects related to Faith if:

• There was a decrease in the number of Fort McKay Métis members that know how to perform traditional ceremonies and are able to teach it to others in the community.

• Surveys indicate that there is an decrease in the number of Fort McKay Métis members who have heard a story in the past year with traditional characters such as “Maci-manitowi”, “Witiko” and “Wesakechak”.

The Frontier Mine Project could affect the opportunities for Storytelling in the bush as a result of the stressors described in Section 13.4.

For these reasons, the potential impact of the Frontier Mine Project on the linkage is negative; the societal impact will be community wide; the magnitude is low; the geographic extent is local; the duration is long term and therefore considered of medium importance. Because the impact is on a weak linkage, and is likely, the effect is considered highly significant.

Pride

Storytelling has a linkage to pride, as being able to speak your language contributes to a sense of pride. Fort McKay Métis members feel the Frontier Mine Project would be contributing to adverse cumulative effects related to Pride if:

• There was a decrease in the number of Fort McKay Métis members that know traditional stories and legends.


The Frontier Mine Project will contribute the stressors listed in Section 13.4, so will contribute to the cumulative negative effect on Storytelling. Teck makes no specific commitments to support for cultural or language programs that could offset the negative effect from project stressors.



For these reasons, the potential impact of the Frontier Mine Project on the linkage is negative; the societal impact community wide; the magnitude is low; the geographic extent is local; the duration is long term and therefore considered of medium importance. Because the impact is on a weak linkage, and is likely, the effect is considered highly significant.

Happiness

Fort McKay Métis members feel the Frontier Mine Project would be contributing to adverse cumulative effects related to Happiness if:

• Fewer Fort McKay Métis indicate that Storytelling, and the knowledge and lessons shared through storytelling, makes them feel positive about being Métis.

• Fewer community members are recognized for “knowing their history”.

The Frontier Mine Project will contribute to the stressors listed in Section 13.4, so will contribute to the cumulative negative effect on Storytelling.



Fort McKay Métis members feel the Frontier Mine Project would be contributing to adverse cumulative effects related to Understanding Nature if:

• There is no a camp or a gathering place where community members can share stories and knowledge about the land, waterways, animals and traditional livelihoods.

The Frontier Mine Project will contribute the stressors listed in Section 13.4, so will contribute to the cumulative negative effect on Storytelling.




Respect

Fort McKay Métis members feel the Frontier Mine Project would be contributing to adverse cumulative effects related to Respect if:

• Fewer stories are told that contain traditional environmental knowledge, such as water, air or wildlife around Fort McKay.

The Frontier Mine Project will contribute the stressors listed in Section 13.4, so will contribute to the cumulative negative effect on Storytelling.


Figure 13-3 illustrates the impact that the Frontier Mine Project will have on the activity of Storytelling, given the project as described in the updated Application.



Figure 13-3 The Frontier Mine Project’s Impact on Linkages Between Storytelling and Cultural Values.

13.4.3 Recommended Mitigation Measures, Protection Plans and Offset Programs for the Frontier Mine Project

In August 2015, MMSC shared their specific concerns related to the contributions the Frontier Mine Project will make to cumulative effects in Fort McKay’s territory, and the extent to which these effects continue to impact Fort McKay Métis’ current and future generations’ traditional livelihood, existence, culture and traditional economy (Fort McKay’s review of Teck Resources Ltd. Frontier Oil Sands Mine Project Integrated Application. Project Update June 2015 and Supplemental Information Request No. 4 (August 2015). All of the comments and recommendations for mitigation made in that document are adopted by the Frontier Mine Project ICA. In addition to these, the Frontier Mine Project ICA makes additional recommendations aimed at not only mitigating the Frontier Mine Project’s contributions to cumulative impacts, but also for maintaining and potentially strengthening the state of current linkages through protection plans and offset programs.



• Mitigation measures are designed to help reduce the stress that the Frontier Mine Project would place on Fort McKay Métis culture. Mitigations do not eliminate impacts.

• Protection plans and offset programs would help strengthen linkages between the nine activities and the twelve cultural values that would be weakened by the stressors created by the Frontier Mine Project.

Key to the implementation of all these recommendations are concepts related to monitoring for adaptive management and increased participation in land use planning and resource management decisions around Fort McKay. The full descriptions of MMSC recommendations related to these critical strategies are provided in Section 16: Recommendations Summary

As currently proposed, the Frontier Mine Project has no firm commitments to support language, cultural programs or social gatherings. Some of the recommendations listed in Section 16 that relate to the activity of Storytelling are:

• Support the implementation of Cultural Camps for Fort McKay Métis.

• Support for Cree Language Classes.

• Support for Cultural Centre in Fort McKay.

Table 13-3 lists which value-based indicators these recommendations will affect in a positive way, thus strengthening individual linkages and contributing to the overall resilience of Fort McKay Métis culture.

! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!SECTION 13.0 STORYTELLING


Table 13-3 Mitigation, Protection and Offset Contributions to Value-Based Indicators for Storytelling

Value Value Based indicators for Storytelling Support for Cultural Camp

Support for Cree Language Classes

Support for Cultural Centre in Fort McKay

Monitoring FMMCA in planning

Identity Traditional names of places in Fort McKay Métis territory are referred to in their traditional Cree names (i.e., government and industry including traditional names on maps as well as community members referring to locations in Cree).

✓ ✓

Identity There is an increase in the number of Fort McKay Métis members who speak Cree or who are attending Cree language classes.

✓

Identity More places are available for Fort McKay Métis members to meet and tell stories, both in the community and in the bush.

✓ ✓

Identity Survey of Fort McKay Métis members who say they are more familiar with traditional stories and learn about Métis history through storytelling.

✓

Self Reliance There is an increase in the number of Fort McKay Métis members who speak Cree or who are attending Cree language classes.

✓

Self Determination /Leadership

MMSC has an active role in organizing and delivering cultural and language programs.

✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

Self Determination /Leadership

Increase the funding available to support Fort McKay Métis celebrations and cultural events.

✓ ✓


Fort McKay Métis members are involved in sharing historical information or teaching language classes to other community members.

✓








Change in the number of Fort McKay Métis members who are able to tell stories to each in other, and especially if they can tell the stories in Cree.

✓ ✓

Cohesion Surveys showed that visiting among Fort McKay Métis members were increasing.

✓ ✓

Cohesion More places are available for Fort McKay Métis members to meet and tell stories, both in the community and in the bush.

✓ ✓

Faith There was an increase in the number of Fort McKay Métis members that know traditional stories and legends.

✓ ✓

Faith There was an increase in the number of Fort McKay Métis members that know how to perform traditional ceremonies and are able to teach them to others in the community.

✓

Faith Surveys indicate that there is an increase in the number of Fort McKay Métis members who have heard a story in the past year with traditional characters such as “Maci-manitowi”, “Witiko” and “Wesakechak”.

✓ ✓

Pride There is an increase in the number of Fort McKay Métis members who speak Cree or who are attending Cree language classes.

✓

Happiness Fort McKay Métis indicate that storytelling, and the knowledge and lessons shared through storytelling, makes them feel positive about being Métis.

✓ ✓







Happiness Change in the number of community members recognized for “knowing their history”.

✓ ✓


There is a camp or a gathering place where community members can share stories and knowledge about the land, waterways, animals and traditional livelihoods.

✓ ✓

Respect Increase in the number of stories told that contain traditional environmental knowledge, such as water, air or wildlife around Fort McKay.

✓ ✓



13.4.4 Residual Impact from the Frontier Mine Project

Assuming the Frontier Mine Project implements the recommendations listed in Section 16, the linkages between the activity of Storytelling and cultural values would be modified as described below. Mitigation measures are described, as having the effect/potential to reduce the negative stress, or increase the positive opportunities from the Frontier Mine Project.

Where a protection plan or an offset program would affect the linkage with Storytelling, the residual impact is described as if the protection or offset would strengthen the linkage, which makes the cultural fabric stronger. A stronger linkage means that any stress the Frontier Mine project would place on the cultural fabric would not have as significant an adverse effect. The impact criteria are applied considering the improved state of the values linkage.

Table 13-4 State of Value-Based Linkages for Storytelling if Protection Plans and Offset Programs are applied to 2015 Model

Value State of 2015 Value linkage State of 2015 link with protection and offsets

Identity Weak Moderate

Self Reliance Weak Weak

Self Determination /Leadership Moderate Strong

Cooperation Moderate Moderate

Caring Moderate Moderate

Cohesion Weak Moderate

Faith Weak Weak

Pride Weak Moderate

Happiness Moderate Strong

Understanding Nature Moderate Moderate

Respect Moderate Moderate

The residual impacts on the individual linkages for the activity of Storytelling are determined assuming the Frontier Mine Project implements all the recommendations in Section 16. The following impact discussion would be the residual impacts of the Frontier Mine Project.

Identity

The Frontier Mine Project impact on the linkage is still negative; the societal extent is community wide; the magnitude is low; the geographic extent is regional; the duration is long term and therefore considered of medium



importance. Because the impact is now applied to a moderately strong linkage and likely to occur, the effect is considered moderately significant.

Self Reliance

None of the mitigations, protection plans or offset programs affect this linkage, therefore the impact is the same. The Frontier Mine Project impact on the linkage is negative; the societal extent is community wide; the magnitude is low; the geographic extent is regional; the duration is long term and therefore considered of medium importance. Because the impact is on a weak linkage and likely to occur, the effect is considered highly significant.


The potential impact of the Frontier Mine Project on the linkage is negative; the societal extent is community wide; the magnitude is low; the geographic extent is regional; the duration is long term and therefore considered of medium importance. Because the impact is now applied to a strong linkage and likely to occur, the effect is considered not significant / no effect.


None of the mitigations, protection plans or offset programs affect these linkages, therefore the impact is the same. The potential impact of the Frontier Mine Project on the linkages is negative; the societal impact is at the community level; the magnitude is low; the geographic extent is local; the duration is long term and therefore considered of medium importance. Because the impact is on moderately strong linkages, and is likely, the effect is considered moderately significant.

Cohesion

The potential impact of the Frontier Project on the linkage is negative, the societal extent is community wide, the magnitude is low, the geographic extent is regional, the duration is long term and therefore considered of medium importance. Because the impact is now applied to moderately strong linkage and likely to occur, the effect is considered moderately significant.

Faith

None of the mitigations, protection plans or offset programs affect these linkages, therefore the impact is the same. The potential impact of the Frontier Mine Project on the linkage is negative; the societal impact will be community wide; the magnitude is low; the geographic extent is local; the duration is long term and therefore considered of medium importance. Because the impact is on a weak linkage, and is likely, the effect is considered highly significant.



Pride

The potential impact of the Frontier Mine Project on the linkage is negative; the societal impact community wide; the magnitude is low; the geographic extent is local; the duration is long term and therefore considered of medium importance. Because the impact is now applied to a moderately strong linkage, and is likely, the effect is considered moderately significant.

Happiness

The potential impact of the Frontier Mine Project on the linkage is negative; the societal extent is community wide; the magnitude is low; the geographic extent is regional; the duration is long term and therefore considered of medium importance. Because the impact is now applied to a strong linkage and likely to occur, the effect is considered not significant / no effect.


None of the mitigations, protection plans or offset programs affect these linkages, therefore the impact is the same. The potential impact of the Frontier Mine Project on the linkage is negative; the societal extent is community wide; the magnitude is low; the geographic extent is regional; the duration is long term and therefore considered of medium importance. Because the impact is on a moderately strong linkage and likely to occur, the effect is considered moderately significant.

Respect

None of the mitigations, protection plans or offset programs affect these linkages, therefore the impact is the same. The potential impact of the Frontier Mine Project on the linkage is negative; the societal extent is community wide; the magnitude is low; the geographic extent is regional; the duration is long term and therefore considered of medium importance. Because the impact is on a moderately strong linkage and likely to occur, the effect is considered moderately significant



Figure 13-4 Residual Impact for the Activity of Storytelling

Documents

13.0 Storytelling · 2016-05-13 · me that your grandpa, Phillip Beaver, he said that's the best storyteller he’d ever seen in his life. He said we used to pay him cigarettes just