Under the title “Together with Giigoonyag”, the Saugeen Ojibway Nation (SON) is embarking on a 5-year study to investigate lake whitefish and fish stocking in the Territorial waters. This study comprises several different projects that are focused on different aspects of the fishery and the lake. The main goal is to learn more about lake whitefish in Lake Huron, and to use that information to create a community-based Action Plan to address fisheries-related issues. A defining principle of this research is to include SON communities at all stages of the study and give the SON control of the process. To meaningfully engage with the membership, the Together with Giigoonyag Committee will be formed to guide the research and provide community input. Individuals who sit on this committee will be given the opportunity to engage with our project partners (Parks Canada and the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry) and make decisions on how to conduct the projects. Committee members will play an important role by sharing their thoughts, concerns, and ideas. 

The Together with Giigoonyag Committee will be composed of nine (9) members: four (4) from the Joint Fisheries Committee, one (1) from Bagida-waad Alliance, two (2) from Saugeen, and two (2) from Nawash. In addition to Committee members, employees from the Fisheries Assessment Program and our project partners will be involved. SON members applying for this committee must commit to day meetings that may last up to 7.5 hours. Honoraria will be available for Committee members in attendance at every meeting ($100/full day, $50/half day). The Together with Giigoonyag Committee will meet at least once every quarter. Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, we will be holding Committee meetings over the internet for the foreseeable future.

The projects are as follows:

• Telemetry (2020-2025)
• Habitat and shoal assessment (2020-2025)
• Indicator monitoring and index netting (2020-2025)
• Addressing fish stocking and determining SON’s goals and objectives (2020-2025)
• Community knowledge interviews (2021)
• Whitefish larval assessments (2021-2025)

Apply online below, or download a printable form from the Fisheries Assessment Program page. Paper application forms are also available from the Fisheries Assessment Office, 50 Farm Road, Neyaashiinigmiing, N0H 2T0.

For more information, please contact Alexander Duncan, Fisheries Assessment Research Coordinator, by telephone at 226-668-5221, or by email at aduncan.nawash@gmail.com.

Miigwetch! We look forward to hearing from you!