Grassy Narrows Indigenous Land Protection Team

07/24/2026

Pin cherries used to be abundant around Grassy Narrows, but now they seem to be disappearing in many places. Seven years without berries in the backyard is not something to ignore. It may not mean panic, but it does mean we should pay attention.
When berries disappear, it can be a sign that the land is changing — maybe the soil, water, shade, or other environmental stress is affecting what grows there. And when the berries go, it can affect birds, animals, medicines, and the knowledge passed down through generations.
We need to ask hard questions, watch the changes closely, and protect what remains before more is lost.

07/23/2026

Charting the lake and river system around Grassy Narrows is another great project that’s happening.

07/18/2026

For two years, we have been urging the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) to reduce the number of moose tags and licenses issued near Grassy Narrows. For two years, the response has been the same: "We cannot do it this year, but we can discuss this further." This cycle of delay is unacceptable. Moose populations in our territory have been mismanaged for decades, yet harvest levels are decided unilaterally by the Ministry without meaningful input from our community . We demand that the MNR move beyond discussion and take immediate action to reduce tags, respecting the sustainability of the moose population and the rights of our people.

07/11/2026

To the people of Grassy Narrows and Area Hunters

For many years, we have watched the moose disappear from our landscape. What was once a common sight became a rare glimpse. This loss has been felt deeply—not just in our hunting traditions, but in the very health of our forests and our spirits.

We are writing today with cautious hope: we are finally seeing a return of a healthy moose population in our area. This is a fragile gift, and how we respond right now will determine whether these animals stay on the land for our children and grandchildren.

We are asking everyone to voluntarily take only what you truly need—and nothing more.

This means pausing before you harvest and asking honestly: Does my family need this meat to get through the winter, or is this out of habit, convenience, or sport? If you have enough, leave the moose for the elder, the single parent, or the family who has none. If you do take one, take it cleanly, use it fully, and waste nothing.

After so many years of loss, the herd cannot sustain the pressure it once could. Taking more than we need is what contributed to their decline. We now have the power to choose differently.

This is not about blame. This is about stewardship. By taking only what sustains us, we give the herd room to grow—so that in the years ahead, there will be moose for everyone, every season.

Let's prove that our strength lies not in how much we take, but in how well we care for what we have.

05/20/2026

05/03/2026

Update: Portal/Deer Lake road looks great! One washout near Anishinaabe Lake rd. junction needs repair. We will get to it after the snow melt and conditions are dry.

03/29/2026

Moose prints on left and mystery prints on right. What do you think?