Young researchers from the Chisasibi Eeyou Resource and Research Institute (CERRI) showcased their work at the Indigenous Health Research Summit held in Kahnawake from September 10 to 12. The event gathered numerous knowledge holders from across Canada, and CERRI”s presentations highlighted their innovative responses to environmental challenges in Eeyou Istchee.
Marine biologist Dante Torio led a team consisting of Preston Sam, Collin Snowboy, and Nicholas Chakapash, who presented three interconnected projects. CERRI aims to engage young individuals from all of Chisasibi”s traplines by hiring two youth each year. Torio noted, “Attending conferences really boosts their self-confidence,” and mentioned that feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive, with suggestions for Snowboy to start a podcast due to his clear speaking voice.
The recognition of CERRI”s youth-driven approach is growing, as seven of its ten permanent staff members are local youths. Additionally, two staff members are appointed through short-term contracts from the community”s band office, and three local students are hired during the summer months. CERRI was established following president George Lameboy“s long-term investigation into the decline of eelgrass on his trapline.
Torio began his postdoctoral research along Chisasibi”s coastline in 2016, collaborating with Dr. Fred Short from the University of New Hampshire before joining CERRI in 2019. He emphasized the importance of traditional knowledge in assessing eelgrass beds, which serve as vital habitats for migrating waterfowl, fish, and other species. Using a “two-eyed seeing” approach, they integrate western scientific methods with centuries-old cultural knowledge.
“Elders can guide researchers to specific locations that have undergone significant changes,” Torio explained. He identified nutrient starvation and sediment trapping as primary causes for the decline of eelgrass, attributing this issue to major hydroelectric projects that have altered the water flow into James Bay since 1975.
While Wemindji has not seen a dramatic decline in eelgrass, similar issues have affected Waskaganish and Eastmain. “Eastmain is pure sand due to decreased water flow and the absence of organic silt from the river,” said Torio, who is exploring restoration methods to encourage the regrowth of eelgrass.
Research initiatives at CERRI have expanded into archaeology, fish population monitoring, climate change studies, and community farming. Sam and Snowboy presented their geodesic dome greenhouse project designed for one of Eeyou Istchee”s most challenging growing zones. “Fresh food is medicine, and growing it ourselves is a way of reclaiming our wellbeing,” Sam stated.
This year, a second greenhouse dedicated to food production was constructed, and a hydroponics-based container farm is set to arrive in the autumn. Sam described the dome as “where most of the magic happens,” serving as a center for experimentation, research, and community engagement.
The new high school in Chisasibi features a rooftop greenhouse. Sam shared, “We had day camp students over the summer, and we are testing various crops like potatoes and corn in our outdoor grow-bed.” Workshops on soil preparation and germination techniques are also part of CERRI”s activities.
Snowboy has been experimenting with potential cold-climate crops such as sunchokes. “In the mornings, I enjoy checking what”s flowering,” he noted. “It”s the best time for pollination since we have no bees in the greenhouse.” Snowboy expressed his ambition to pursue plant breeding to adapt crops to the local climate.
Despite facing challenges, like a burst pipe in the dome last winter, they have successfully cultivated garlic outdoors. Torio has grown vegetables like onions, potatoes, cabbage, and peas in his backyard garden, while Snowboy has begun planting rutabagas based on local preferences, contributing to the community by donating produce.
While some youth researchers aspire to attend universities outside the community, they have also participated in a McGill STEM program and professional development courses locally. Training in equipment such as ground-penetrating radar and drones has been provided, including for a survey of a former residential school on Fort George Island.
However, CERRI still lacks adequate laboratory facilities for thorough testing of contaminants in wildlife harvests. At the summit, Chakapash discussed mercury levels in traditional foods, finding brook trout, sculpin, and whitefish generally safe, while lake trout often exceeded safety limits.
Chakapash advised caution regarding waterfowl livers and suggested avoiding merganser altogether. He also attended a conference hosted by the Canadian Space Agency with Torio, focusing on using remote sensing to monitor environmental threats such as algae blooms and shoreline erosion.
The summit represented a significant moment for CERRI and its youth, underscoring the importance of local research. Sam expressed a desire to bridge traditional Eeyou knowledge with modern agricultural practices, stating, “My dream is for future generations to view agriculture not as something imported from the south, but as something we have always been capable of doing here at home.”
