The following text is taken from the Algonquins of Barriere Lake
information pamphlet.
****************************************
> COMMON SENSE
>
> "La Verendrye Wildlife Reserve is being destroyed...
> It threatens the wildlife and the way of life of people
> who've lived here for thousands of years."
>
> Chief Matchewan
> Algonquins of Barriere Lake
>
>La Verendrye Wildlife Reserve should concern everyone, not just
>native people. We, the Algonquins of Barriere Lake, are taking
>the initiative to create awareness about the extensive damage
>that is being caused by logging operations.
>
>Fifty per cent of the Wildlife Reserve has already been cut(1).
>Clear-cut logging and chemical spraying is having a severe
>impact.
>
>We rely totally on the land and experience the direct impact of
>logging on a daily basis. It destroys habitat, affecting
>wildlife populations and the food supply for our people.
>
>It is time we used a little common sense in managing our
>resources. Please support us to promote a common sense approach
>to our common future.
>
> COMMON FUTURE
>
>La Verendrye Wildlife Reserve, 3 hours north of Ottawa(2), was
>created in 1939 by the Quebec Government. The Algonquins of
>Barriere Lake number approximately 450 people. They have an
>original settlement at Barriere Lake and a 59 acre Indian
>Reserve at Rapid Lake, both in the middle of La Verendrye where
>logging surrounds them.
>
>PROBLEM
>
> - CLEAR CUT LOGGING with little or no reforestation
>
> - CHEMICAL SPRAYING which affects the food chain making
>people and wildlife ill.
>
> - OVER-HUNTING and FISHING is depleting wildlife resources
>
> - FLUCTUATING WATER LEVELS in Hydro-Quebec reservoirs
>interrupts community travel and destroys aquatic habitat.
>
> - NO ALGONQUIN INPUT in the management of La Verendrye
>Wildlife Reserve.
>
>WE CANNOT SIT IDLE
>
>We, the Algonquins of Barriere Lake are proposing a common sense
>approach to protecting La Verendrye Wildlife Reserve.
>We don't want to exclude logging and other uses of La Verendyre,
>however, we do believe that more care should be taken.
>
>We are proposing sustainable development through a Conservation
>Strategy which will accomodate all interests and uses. Our
>Approach is consistent with the recommendations of the World
>Commission on Environment and Development (Brundtland
>Commission):
>
>"sustainable development means development that meets the needs
>of the present without compromising the ability of future
>generations to meet their own needs."
>
> ******************************
>
>For information write:
>Algonquins of Barriere Lake
>c/o Nahwegahbow, Jones
>1338 Wellington Street
>Ottawa, Ontario K1Y 3B7
>(Support is welcome, you can also help Barriere Lake's
>Conservation efforts by making a tax deductible donation to
>"Cultural Survival (Canada)/Barriere Lake".)
******************
(1) Note that the failure of the agreement (See primary posting)
between the Algonquins of Barriere Lake and the Quebec Government
was partially "based on the refusal to allow any changes to the
primary draft" (Chief Matchewan, April 3, 1991) by the Ministry
of Forests in Quebec. The study area through this agreement was
comprised of 2,800 sq miles of which 1,088 sq. miles are clear-
cut). Once areas of fire and disease and 1,500 lakes are
factored in, there remains 297 sq miles of forest in the
effective study area.
(2) From Ottawa past Maniwaki, on the way to Val d'Or.