Pine Forest and Logging Protection

TEMAGAMI: DEEP WATER BY THE SHORE (ONTARIO)

Temagami is a region in Northeastern Ontario, north of Sudbury and North Bay, which covers 680,000 hectares of forest, lakes and rivers. It is named for the Deep Water People who have lived in the area for many generations. The Temagami First Nation (TFN) and the Teme-Augama Anishnabai (TAA) want to have more land claims beyond Bear Island.

In 1877 Chief Tonene protested because companies were destroying trees in his peoples traditional land. Chief Tonene asked the government to create a reserve which would protect his people and their land from the lumber companies. This has still not happened. Lumber companies like the area because of all the trees there, like the red and white pine. These trees are quite large, and because of their size can be used for many products, like furniture and giant plywood sheets. The trees are also important for First Nations peoples of the region. If lumber companies cut these trees down, they will disturb important life and change the environment. A good proportion of the old growth forest is now protected from logging in order to protect the ecosystems.