Abstract

The role of local communities in protected area (PA) management has generated heated theoretical and praxis debates in recent years. The research conducted for this thesis contributes to these debates through the examination of early stages in the establishment of a culturally-appropriate locally-managed PA in the traditional territory of the James Bay Cree community of Wemindji, Northern Quebec. The motivation for this initiative is based on the aspirations of Wemindji Crees for an enhanced and officially recognised role in the management and protection of the watershed of Paakumshumwaau , an area of particular significance to the local subsistence economy as well as of historical and cultural importance. Concerns about the longer-teen protection of this area, related to potential impacts of hydro-development and an increase in outsider intrusion, have increased local will to strengthen the customary management regime. While there is opposition to conventional top-down management approaches that would conflict with local practices and customs, the Wemindji Crees have expressed interest in more culturally appropriate bottom-up initiatives that have been emerging in some parts of the Canadian Arctic and other parts of the world. Through ethnographic research, supplemented by mapping and field survey, this research documents the significance of the targeted area to the Wemindji Crees, and explores local aspirations and concerns with respect to the establishment of the PA as well as concepts, methodologies and precedents from PA experience elsewhere that could inform this project. It concludes by looking at some of the challenges and opportunities to the establishment of this PA