The Federal Bridge Corporation Limited Formalizes Agreement with Aamjiwnaang First Nation on a Major Naturalization Project at the Blue Water Bridge Français
This collaboration addresses a key operational need to mitigate flooding risks on the property caused by increasingly frequent and heavy rains. It was fitting to seek out the expertise of Aamjiwnaang First Nation to oversee the project, ensuring that the approach to tackling these environmental challenges is done in a manner that respects this historical land. By strategically planting self-sustaining native plants on sections of the 5.5-acre grass field adjacent to a stormwater pond, this initiative will improve water management and enhance the site's environmental resilience.
A central aspect of the project is the revitalization of the landscape surrounding the Souls Memorial, a monument commissioned in 2003 to commemorate the long history of First Nations gathering at Aamjiwnaang. The new plantings in the circular ring around the memorial honour its design, which symbolizes the Anishnaabek Medicine Wheel. This work respectfully enhances a space of deep cultural and historical importance.
The project was unofficially kicked off early in June during FBCL's employee recognition event, where team members participated in an initial planting ceremony overseen by representatives of the Aamjiwnaang Greenhouse, symbolizing a commitment to sustainability and community partnership. This formal agreement now marks the official start of the multi-year, staged approach to the project.
"We are thrilled to engage with Aamjiwnaang First Nation on this vital naturalization project," said Natalie Kinloch, CEO of FBCL. "This initiative is a perfect example of how we can meet a practical operational need while fulfilling our commitment to environmental responsibility and strengthening our relationship with our Indigenous communities. We are not just creating a solution for water management; we are also enriching the landscape with native plants and respectfully honouring the deep cultural heritage of this land."
FBCL is proud to embark on this project, reinforcing its commitment to safe, efficient operations and strong community engagement.
FBCL owns, manages and operates international bridges and associated structures in Sault Ste. Marie, Point Edward, Lansdowne (Thousand Islands) and Cornwall, Ontario. FBCL's mandate is to provide the highest level of stewardship so that its international bridges and associated structures are safe and efficient for users.
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Cision Canada
7 hours ago
- Cision Canada
The Federal Bridge Corporation Limited Formalizes Agreement with Aamjiwnaang First Nation on a Major Naturalization Project at the Blue Water Bridge Français
POINT EDWARD, ON, Aug. 7, 2025 /CNW/ - The Federal Bridge Corporation Limited (FBCL) is pleased to announce it has formalized a key agreement with Aamjiwnaang First Nation, to undertake a significant, multi-year Naturalization Project at the Blue Water Bridge. This collaboration addresses a key operational need to mitigate flooding risks on the property caused by increasingly frequent and heavy rains. It was fitting to seek out the expertise of Aamjiwnaang First Nation to oversee the project, ensuring that the approach to tackling these environmental challenges is done in a manner that respects this historical land. By strategically planting self-sustaining native plants on sections of the 5.5-acre grass field adjacent to a stormwater pond, this initiative will improve water management and enhance the site's environmental resilience. A central aspect of the project is the revitalization of the landscape surrounding the Souls Memorial, a monument commissioned in 2003 to commemorate the long history of First Nations gathering at Aamjiwnaang. The new plantings in the circular ring around the memorial honour its design, which symbolizes the Anishnaabek Medicine Wheel. This work respectfully enhances a space of deep cultural and historical importance. The project was unofficially kicked off early in June during FBCL's employee recognition event, where team members participated in an initial planting ceremony overseen by representatives of the Aamjiwnaang Greenhouse, symbolizing a commitment to sustainability and community partnership. This formal agreement now marks the official start of the multi-year, staged approach to the project. "We are thrilled to engage with Aamjiwnaang First Nation on this vital naturalization project," said Natalie Kinloch, CEO of FBCL. "This initiative is a perfect example of how we can meet a practical operational need while fulfilling our commitment to environmental responsibility and strengthening our relationship with our Indigenous communities. We are not just creating a solution for water management; we are also enriching the landscape with native plants and respectfully honouring the deep cultural heritage of this land." FBCL is proud to embark on this project, reinforcing its commitment to safe, efficient operations and strong community engagement. FBCL owns, manages and operates international bridges and associated structures in Sault Ste. Marie, Point Edward, Lansdowne (Thousand Islands) and Cornwall, Ontario. FBCL's mandate is to provide the highest level of stewardship so that its international bridges and associated structures are safe and efficient for users.
Vancouver Sun
10 hours ago
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Record number of early sockeye recorded in test catch in Johnstone Strait
Early numbers are promising for sockeye salmon headed to the Fraser River through the Johnstone Strait. Alexandra Morton, an independent Island-based biologist who has been keeping a close watch on the salmon run numbers, said that on July 31, 14,550 sockeye were caught on the Johnstone Strait test fishery boat — the highest July daily catch recorded since test fishing began. Morton said her phone has been blowing up with texts from people overjoyed by the news, as well as the run of early Stuart sockeye, which goes up to Takla Lake in northern B.C. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. That run is already in the Fraser River and is currently being counted by the Fisheries Department. DFO has already reached a count of 700,000, above the 160,000 initial estimate that the federal agency gave this year, she said. DFO spokesperson Leri Davies said the agency is unable to attribute increased salmon returns to any single factor at this point, but the large return could not have happened without the combined efforts of First Nations and the provincial and federal governments. The rebound for early Stuart sockeye comes six years after a major landslide in the Fraser River blocked salmon from reaching their spawning grounds, she said in a statement. Commercial and recreational fisheries opportunities may come as more information about the salmon run is collected, she said, adding that First Nation fisheries remain the priority while conservation measures are in place. On Aug. 1, ʼNa̱mǥis fishers were among those who headed out to catch salmon for food, social and ceremonial purposes over a four-day fishery window. Another fishing window for First Nations opened midnight on Wednesday and will close Aug. 9. Na̱mǥis hereditary chief and retired fisher Don Svanvik said ʼNa̱mǥis is allocated a quota of 5,000 sockeye, which means members will likely get around a dozen salmon each if they are able to catch the quota. ʼNa̱mǥis have only been allowed to fish in four of the past 15 years of sockeye salmon runs — in 2010, 2014, 2018 and 2022 — due to a severe drop in returning numbers, Svanvik said. It's gotten to the point where some people think the sockeye only return to the rivers every four years, he said. But this year is shaping up to be a good run, he said. Before the turn of the century, when sockeye was more plentiful, his family would catch 100 to 150 sockeye a year, said Svanvik, adding the fish are nicknamed 'sliders' after the species' tendency to make half-circle jumps out of the water. Right now, everybody on Johnstone Strait is seeing those fins flash across the water, he said. Svanvik and Morton both attribute the rebound of the sockeye run this year, at least in part, to the 2021 closure of Atlantic salmon fish farms off the east coast of Vancouver Island. 'This year and last year [are] the first runs where we're starting to see fish come back that were not exposed to salmon farms when they were juveniles,' said Morton, who has opposed fish farms on the west coast for decades. 'People are wondering, is this part of why the numbers are so huge? Because they're not huge in the Columbia, the Barkley, the Skeena, the other big sockeye rivers.' The salmon returning to the rivers to spawn would have gone out to the Pacific as smolts in 2023, she said. David Knox, Kwakiutl hereditary chief and elected councillor for Kwakiutl First Nation, said there are too many factors to point to a single one causing the rebound for salmon runs going through the Johnstone Strait. Since fish farms began operating in the area 35 years ago, there has been a massive sockeye run in 2015, a major chum salmon run in 2021, and sizable returns of pink salmon, too, he said. Logging and mining in areas where salmon spawn, as well as ocean-floor trawlers, are other major threats to salmon that aren't talked about as much, Knox said. 'I worked on those boats for five years, so that's why I can talk about the impacts — because I witnessed it.' Knox said there's grumbling among Indigenous people who want to fish the sockeye run for economic gain. 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Vancouver Sun
13 hours ago
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Grumpy and gunning for glory at 28: Langley's Lolita eyes Guinness Record as world's oldest alpaca
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