Mealy Mountain Park
The proposed Mealy Mountain Park, Image from the Protected Areas Association of Newfoundland and Labrador.
(larger version)
Letter to Laura Jackson
February 21, 2008
Dear Ms. Jackson,
I regret that I am unable to attend your conference in person, however as an elected representative of my people, the Inuit descendants of South Central Labrador, I feel it necessary that we express our concerns regarding the Mealy Mountains and the proposed park area. The area, since my earliest memories, was the bread basket of my community of North West River during late winter and early spring. This was the time of the caribou hunt in an age where we depended on meat for sustenance and survival. I vividly recall my older brother returning across Lake Melville dragging a team of dogs with a komatic load of caribou from the Mealy Mountains. My father talked of hunting caribou and nearly perishing in those mountains. The area was an important part of our lore and our lives, filling a time of annual survival between the trap line and the seal hunt.
The land was such an integral part of our lives. When I moved to Cartwright, I was surprised to find that our people on the other side of the mountains revered the area as much as we did.
Not only was the park area a place for caribou, but it was also the traditional trap line for many of our people in Lake Melville. It also provided wood, trout and salmon and a homeland for many people both in Lake Melville and along the coast. Many of our people in West Bay, North River, Kennamu, White Bear River and the Eagle River fished and lived in this area on to prehistoric times. The interrelationship our people had with this area goes far beyond the scope of this letter.
Our point must be made and it must be clear and concise. We want the Mealy Mountain Park. In respect for our past, in respect for the land, we must ensure at least this part of Labrador is protected. To dig up the fabled Wonderstrand, the ninth largest sandy beach in the world, for the sake of quick commercial gain is unthinkable. To destroy the Eagle River, the greatest Atlantic Salmon river in the world for hydro power goes beyond reason.
No, we believe the future of this area lies in tourism; where the chief economic benefit will go to the people living in this area, not to those who live along Water Street. We believe that development should be long term and sustainable. We believe in the wonder, the beauty and the grandeur of Labrador. We believe that this area should be show cased to the rest of the world, then maybe the spirit of peace it has given our people for generations can be given to the population of the whole earth.
Chris Montague
President
Labrador Metis Nation
Dear Ms. Jackson,
I regret that I am unable to attend your conference in person, however as an elected representative of my people, the Inuit descendants of South Central Labrador, I feel it necessary that we express our concerns regarding the Mealy Mountains and the proposed park area. The area, since my earliest memories, was the bread basket of my community of North West River during late winter and early spring. This was the time of the caribou hunt in an age where we depended on meat for sustenance and survival. I vividly recall my older brother returning across Lake Melville dragging a team of dogs with a komatic load of caribou from the Mealy Mountains. My father talked of hunting caribou and nearly perishing in those mountains. The area was an important part of our lore and our lives, filling a time of annual survival between the trap line and the seal hunt.
The land was such an integral part of our lives. When I moved to Cartwright, I was surprised to find that our people on the other side of the mountains revered the area as much as we did.
Not only was the park area a place for caribou, but it was also the traditional trap line for many of our people in Lake Melville. It also provided wood, trout and salmon and a homeland for many people both in Lake Melville and along the coast. Many of our people in West Bay, North River, Kennamu, White Bear River and the Eagle River fished and lived in this area on to prehistoric times. The interrelationship our people had with this area goes far beyond the scope of this letter.
Our point must be made and it must be clear and concise. We want the Mealy Mountain Park. In respect for our past, in respect for the land, we must ensure at least this part of Labrador is protected. To dig up the fabled Wonderstrand, the ninth largest sandy beach in the world, for the sake of quick commercial gain is unthinkable. To destroy the Eagle River, the greatest Atlantic Salmon river in the world for hydro power goes beyond reason.
No, we believe the future of this area lies in tourism; where the chief economic benefit will go to the people living in this area, not to those who live along Water Street. We believe that development should be long term and sustainable. We believe in the wonder, the beauty and the grandeur of Labrador. We believe that this area should be show cased to the rest of the world, then maybe the spirit of peace it has given our people for generations can be given to the population of the whole earth.
Chris Montague
President
Labrador Metis Nation
For more information on the proposed Mealy Mountain National Park, or other protected areas in Newfoundland and Labrador, visit the Protected Areas Association webpage at:
http://www.paanl.org/Mealy_Mountains.htm
Postcards have been created by the Protected Areas Assocation to provide information on the proposed park, and to gather support for the initiative. To show your support, contact the Protected Areas Association, or pick up a postcard at the Labrador Metis Nation offices in Happy Valley, Cartwright, Mary's Harbour, Port Hope Simpson, or Charlottetown.
http://www.paanl.org/Mealy_Mountains.htm
Postcards have been created by the Protected Areas Assocation to provide information on the proposed park, and to gather support for the initiative. To show your support, contact the Protected Areas Association, or pick up a postcard at the Labrador Metis Nation offices in Happy Valley, Cartwright, Mary's Harbour, Port Hope Simpson, or Charlottetown.