390 Bay Street, Suite 1206,
Toronto, Ontario, M5H 2Y2
Tel: 416-941-9388
Fax: 416-941-9236
E-mail: office@queticofoundation.org
Charitable Registration No. 11925 2427 RR0001
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Newsletter Archive - Summer 2000
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Summer 2000
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Vol.45 Number 1
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THE BACK ROUTE - No chaise longue is the world can compare to easing onto a properly placed PFD atop a gently gliding canoe slicing the waters of Quetico. The regular short rest during a busy day of paddling is an historic treat that goes back to the time of the voyageurs, though they had little worries of sun damage and UV ratings. Photo Al Craig.
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We welcome suggestions, photos, remniscences and stories for consideration. Please forward any ideas or submissions to: Michael Peake, Editor, The Quetico, 14 Easton Road, Toronto, M2N 2L3, or e-mail michaelpeake@home.com
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A Shot in the Wilderness Park
Sport hunting is being proposed in Ontario for Wilderness Parks such as Quetico
By KEN BUCHAN
Trustee
With no public consultation, the Ontario government has announced plans to change park policy to permit sport hunting in the province’s wilderness parks, such as Quetico and Killarney. This fundamental policy change reverses decades of wildlife protection in Ontario’s wilderness parks, which represent most of the large non-urban areas in Ontario where hunting is not permitted.
Since the introduction of the Primitive (now Wilderness) Park Classification in 1967, sport hunting has been prohibited in wilderness parks. Wilderness parks are defined in the 1978 Ontario Provincial Parks Planning and Management Policies of the Ministry of Natural Resources
as “substantial areas where the forces of nature are permitted to function freely and where visitors travel by non-mechanized means and experience expansive solitude, challenge and personal integration with nature”.
In addition, wilderness parks serve as “benchmarks in both the earth and life sciences. Such benchmarks are essential to the measurement of long term evolutionary trends.”
Clearly, with the introduction of sport
hunting, wilderness parks will no longer
function as a wildlife sanctuary or as ecological
benchmarks. Hikers and canoeists
will be at risk during the hunting season,
and the solitude, which cannot be found
elsewhere in the hunting season, will be
lost.
Wilderness parks currently prohibit
motorized vehicles, including
automobiles, all terrain vehicles
and motor boats except
for some very restricted
usage in some parks by
First Nation people.
However, few sport
hunters today are
willing to haul carcasses
of large animals
such as moose
over long distances
on foot or by canoe.
If wilderness parks are
opened to hunting,
there will inevitably be
pressure from hunting
groups to permit roads, motorized
vehicles and float planes
in order to remove carcasses.
Continued below...
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Continued from above...
Sport hunting is currently allowed on
most Crown land in Ontario including
near wilderness parks. Thus, there is already
ample opportunity for residents
from local communities to hunt. This
raises the question as to whether the introduction
of hunting into wilderness
parks is aimed to satisfy a demand from
some outfitters who service non-Canadian
trophy hunters.
The Ministry of Natural Resources
proposes to make decisions on which
wilderness parks should be opened to
hunting on the basis of demonstrated local support. This goes against the concept that provincial parks are held in trust
for all the citizens of Ontario and that all
citizens of the province have a say in the
management of these important areas.
Any change in policy should be made
only after the support of the citizens of
Ontario has been obtained through
province-wide public consultation.
QUETICO PARK
The prohibition on hunting in Quetico
predates the introduction of wilderness
class parks to the Ontario parks system
by nearly six decades. Hunting was prohibited
in Quetico at the time that it was
first established as the Quetico Forest and Game Preserve in 1909. This status was repeatedly reconfirmed over the years as Quetico became a Provincial
Park (1913) and later a Wilderness
Provincial Park (1973). Allowing hunting
would overturn almost a century of
wildlife protection in Quetico.
Please write to the Minister of Natural
Resources and the Premier of Ontario at
the following addresses in order to oppose
sport hunting in wilderness
parks and to demand that all
policy decisions concerning
Ontario provincial parks
be made only after full
public consultation
across the Province.
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Hon. John Snobelen - Minister of Natural Resources
Rm. 6301, Whitney Block
99 Wellesley St. W.
Toronto, Ont. M7A 1W3
Tel: (416) 314-2301
Fax: (416) 314-2216
E-mail: minister@mnr.gov.on.ca
Hon. Mike Harris - Premier
Legislative Building
Queen’s Park
Toronto, Ont. M7A 1A1
Tel: (416) 325-1941
Fax: (416) 325-7578
E-mail: webprem@gov.on.ca
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I think you will agree in reviewing this
newsletter that the Foundation has been
very actively engaged since we last communicated
with you and that our ongoing activities
will be putting great demands on the
Foundation and its Trustees. I hope that we
can count on your continued support.
Our summer student program is entering
its fourth year and continues to draw kudos
from the local community and in particular
all those who have been involved as participants.
Last year we were able to integrate the
program with the forest inventory project initiated
by Jay Leather, the Park Superintendent,
and tentative plans call for that involvement
to continue if possible. Jay deserves a
good deal of credit for initiating this program
as a basic knowledge of what's in the Park is
an essential tool for planning its future.
We are also moving ahead, albeit slower
than both we and the Town of Atikokan would
like, to implement the Canoe Centre project.
This initiative however is a major one and it is
critical in our view that all pieces of the planning
process are in place before it is officially
launched especially given the fact that The
Quetico Foundation anticipates taking a major
role, particularly in committing to raising the
necessary financial support. Hopefully by the
time of my next report to you this project will
be truly underway.
Of particular concern to the Foundation is
the recent announcement by the Ministry of
Natural Resources that it intends to open up
the possibility of hunting in wilderness parks
with Quetico Park being one of the four
wilderness parks under consideration.
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We believe that any such undertaking violates
the spirit of the Lands for Life process
and that any decision to permit hunting in
wilderness parks would be absolutely contrary
to the very notion of a wilderness park.
The matter is being referred to the Ontario
Parks Board and in due course we expect that
the Foundation and the public in general will
have an opportunity to make representations.
We will continue to actively monitor developments
but I would recommend, anyone so
inclined, to write to the Minister of Natural Resources
and express opposition to this proposal.
On a somewhat lighter note, I am pleased
to announce that sometime in the early fall
we expect to have our annual dinner after an
absence of a year. Frankly we have been struggling
with trying to develop a format that will
give us an opportunity to raise much needed financial
support and at the same time will also
be an enjoyable experience for our guests.
We feel that our recent dinners have fallen
short of our supporters expectations and all too
often have extended too long into the evening.
Both of these deficiencies we hope to address
to the satisfaction of our supporters.
Finally, I would like to share with you my
excitement in attracting William B. Sargant
(known as “Sarge”) as our new Executive Director.
Sarge brings a wealth of experience to
the position and couples this with an enthusiasm
and initiative which I believe is going to
energize the Foundation to new heights of achievement.
R. Lee Woods
Chairman
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Working and studying in the wilds
SUMMER STUDENT RESEARCH PROGRAM
Once again this year six high school students, from the Atikokan
and Lac La Croix First Nation, will be conducting forest ecology
research in Quetico Provincial Park. The research data
will provide input into the management plan review process to enhance
the protection and stewardship of the forest resources of one of the
world’s truly great parks. The students and their Field Team Leaders
travel by canoe into the interior of the park for periods of up to 10 days.
Leading the research fieldwork are Carolyn Hyslop, a graduate of
McMaster University (Bachelor of Kinesiology/Geography/ Environmental
Studies) and Queen’s University (Bachelor of Education/Outdoor
and Experiential Education) and Elena Johnson, a graduate of University
of Waterloo (Bachelor of Environmental Studies). In addition to their impressive
academic and field research backgrounds, both Carolyn and
Elena have extensive wilderness camping and leadership experience
with youth in outdoor education settings. Assisting on a rotational basis as
a Field Team Leader and serving as Quartermaster for the supplies and logistical
arrangements is Rachel White. Rachel was one of the high
school students in the 1998 Summer Student Research Program and is entering
her second year at Lakehead University in Environmental Science.
Fraser Reeves, a Trustee of The Quetico Foundation, serves as Chairman
of the Summer Student Research Program Committee. Since he
spent several summers with the Ministry of Natural Resources in Northern
Ontario supervising the Junior Ranger Program, Fraser brings a
wealth of experience in helping to plan and to implement the involvement
of the students in the Quetico Park research. Other Trustee members
on the Committee include Dave Elder, Atikokan, who as a Ministry
of Natural Resources employee had extensive involvement with Quetico
and Dr. Roger Suffling, Associate Professor, School of Urban and Regional
Planning, University of Waterloo. Dr. Suffling who has conducted
research in Quetico Park and supervised graduate studies thesis
research in the park, is also Chairman of The Quetico Foundation’sScientific Advisory Committee.
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The Foundation’s Summer Student Research Program not only contributes
important data for park planning and management, but also
provides valuable personal development opportunities for the high
school students and their leaders. If you would like to join the individuals,
foundations and companies that fund the program, please contact the
Executive Director at the Foundation Office.
WORKING FOR WILDERNESS
Work as part of a team, under the guidance of expert leaders, to
protect nature while exploring natural areas. Whether a
weekend getaway or a longer break, it’s a vacation that
makes a difference.
QUETICO PROVINCIAL PARK TALL PINE PROJECT
AUGUST 25 TO SEPTEMBER 3, 2000
Canoe through breathtaking Quetico Provincial Park to conduct a survey
of pine planted in 1990 and 1992. While in the park, volunteers will
have the opportunity to view ancient pictographs along the rugged cliffs
of Quetico Lake. Work will also include trail maintenance or reconstruction
at an entry point to the park. After the trip, visitors may spend
time touring the sights around the park, such as the Steeprock Mine and
the Souris River Canoe Company.
For more information, please contact:
Federation of Ontario Naturalists,
355 Lesmill Road,
Don Mills, Ontario
M3B 2W8
Tel: (416) 444-8419
Toll-Free: 1-800-440-2366
Fax: (416) 444-9866
E-mail: wfw@ontarionature.org
Website: www.ontarionature.org
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As the new Executive Director, taking orders
for the canoe route map over the
phone, it is fascinating listening to people
tell about their adventures in Quetico.
Please send us your most passionate, absurd,
moving, hilarious, adventurous or challenging
story of a non-fiction event that happened while
you were in Quetico Provincial Park. Make your
story no more than 750 words and include a photo
if appropriate. Best of luck!
Prize:
The winning entry will receive two (2) complimentary
tickets to The Quetico Foundation Dinner
in the fall of 2000 where you will be given an
opportunity to read your story. The best three (3)
stories will be posted on The Quetico Foundation
Web Site and published in subsequent editions of
our newsletter, The Quetico.
Closing Date:
All contest entries must be received by September
22, 2000.
Send Entries To:
Quetico Adventure Story Contest
c/o William B. (Sarge) Sargant
Executive Director
The Quetico Foundation
48 Yonge Street, Suite 610
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5E 1G6
or E-mail: office@queticofoundation.org
You can leave a Wilderness Legacy.
Since 1954, The Quetico Foundation has been
dedicated to the protection and stewardship of
the wilderness values of Quetico Provincial Park.
Help protect one of the world’s truly great wilderness
experiences to enrich the lives of future generations.
For more information about the benefits of making
a major gift or bequest, please reply to:
William B. (Sarge) Sargant
Executive Director
The Quetico Foundation
48 Yonge Street, Suite 610
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5E 1G6
(416) 941-9388
All inquiries will be kept confidential
From the Wild to the Tame
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On Thursday, April 27, 2000, A.
George Fells, a former Chairman
and current Trustee of The Quetico
Foundation hosted a Reception at Woolfitt’s
Gallery in Toronto to open a two week exhibition
and sale of his Monoprints.
The Opening Reception was a fundraising
event with George donating 40 percent
of the sale of Monoprints to The Quetico
Foundation. The event which also featured a
display about The Quetico Foundation
raised over $3000.00 to support the Summer
Student Research Program.
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The Shan Walshe Memorial Bursary
was established by The Foundation in
1991 to recognize the significant contribution
of the late Shan Walshe, Naturalist,
Quetico Provincial Park, to the protection and
stewardship of Quetico Provincial Park.
The award is presented each year to high
school students from Atikokan and/or Lac La
Croix First Nation who are continuing their education
at a community college or university.
The award winners are selected by a committee
from each of the respective high schools.
The 1999 award winners were Holly Armstrong
and Rachel White who each received
$500.00 from The Quetico Foundation.
Holly Armstrong
 Holly recently completed her first year at
Brock University, St. Catharines, Ontario
where she is majoring in geology. She was a
member of the Varsity Swimming Team.
While at Atikokan High School, Holly participated
in the Outers Program which involves camping trips
and study in Quetico Provincial Park.
During the summers of 1997 and 1998, Holly
was a Portage Crew Volunteer helping clear portages from
the storm damage in the park and providing information
to park users. Also, she assisted with
the evacuation of park users who became ill or
suffered injuries. During July and August of
1999, Holly worked for The Quetico Foundation Summer Student Research Program collecting
data for the Forest Resources Inventory Project.
Rachel White
Rachel recently completed her first year at
Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, Ontario where she is majoring in Environmental Science. During the summer of 1999, Rachel worked as a Natural Heritage Educator in
Quetico Provincial Park conducting nature
hikes, interpretive programs and other activities
for park users.
The previous year, she worked for TheQuetico Foundation Summer Student Research
Program collecting data for the forest
fire ecology study undertaken by Dr. Roger
Suffling, University of Waterloo. During this
summer, Rachel has been hired by The Quetico
Foundationas a Quartermaster/ Field Crew
Leader for the Summer Student Research Program.
Rachel is an active volunteer in the community
of Atikokan assisting with the organizing
of fundraising events and coaching volleyball.
She is also a graduate of the Atikokan
High School Outers Program that has introduced
students to the wilderness values of
Quetico Provincial Park.
It is now the time to mark your calendars
and datebooks. The timing of the Quetico
Foundation Fall Dinner has been set.
The date is the evening of Wednesday October
25, 2000 at the Ontario Club in downtown
Toronto. Program and pricing is still
being set but please plan now to attend. Further
information will follow in a special Fall
Dinner mailing.
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The following is a list of
donors for the period between
January 1, 1998 and
May 30, 2000. The wishes of those
who notified The Quetico Foundation
of their choice to remain anonymous
have, to the best of our ability,
been respected.
If your name should
be here and is not, or otherwise, we
apologize. Please let us know of any
changes that should be made.
Your support in helping The Quetico
Foundation to achieve its mandate
related to the protection and stewardship
of Quetico Provincial Park
and other wilderness parks in Ontario
is sincerely appreciated.
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$10-$99
Madelaine Bain
John and Betty Jean Bankes
John M. Bankes
Bruce Barker
Debra Bilous
Kenneth Buchan
Robert Carman
Jennifer Covello
Peter Dalglish
Daniel Damov
John W. Duncanson
Shawndra Ehelebe
David H. Elder
J. Bruce Falls
A. George Fells
Frances Gertsch
Sydney Goldenburg
Arlin Hackman
Paul Hahn
David and Birgit Harley
Jim Hayhurst
Alix Houston
Charles A. Kelly
David Kent
William Kieffer
Clifford Lax
Jocelyn Macdonald
Rob Martin
Mike McKeown
T. Ian McLeod
Chuck Miller
David Molesworth
Beth Parks
J.W. Paterson
Fraser Reeves
J. Keith Reynolds
Norm Richards
Patrick Reid
Simon B. Scott
Roger Suffling
Jennifer Sutherland
Lee Symmes
Rachel White
H.D. Wilkins
Lee Woods
Joe Wright
Thomas N. Yarmon
Atikokan Economic Development Corporation
Friends of Quetico Park
Mountain Equipment Co-op
Ontario Forest Industries Association
Royal Bank Financial Group Employees’ Charity Trust
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$100-$249
Peter Allen
John Bankes
John Bossins
Doris B. Brown
Ken Buchan
David Butterfield
James R. Connacher
Colin Coolican
Daniel Damov
Richard W. Dodds
James D.G. Douglas
James Edwards
Elliott Eisen
A. George Fells
David Goldstein
Timothy J. Gray
John Hardy
James Hayhurst
John Hodgson
Ernest Howard
F. B. Hubacheck Jr.
J. N. Hughes
Valerie A. Jacobs
Gerald Killan
Clifford Lax
Ron MacFeeters
Bruce McLeod/Joyce Kelly
Ian McLeod
Bruce W. Merrick
George Osborne
A. Parks
Richard Pope
Ed Rayment
J. Keith Reynolds
Arthur Saunders
Norman Schipper
Stuart Schipper
Angus Scott
Roger Suffling
Dave and Marion Taylor
Frank Woods
R. L. Woods
Cookson Walker
Cottage Life
Farrell Enterprises
Horatio Enterprise Fund
Horatio Management Inc.
Jefferson Partners Capital Limited
L’Image Design
McClaren, McCann Canada Inc.
McLean Watson Capital Inc.
The Toronto Sun
TRL Investments Limited
We Merchandise Space Inc.
Whitecastle Investments Ltd.
$250-$499
Robin Fraser
John Hodgson
Dennis O’Connor
James H. Verman
Key Publishers Company Ltd.
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$500-$999
Stephen Cole
Peter Dalglish
A. George Fells
Joseph Garwood
Paul D. Hahn
Gerald Killan
Jack E. Mathews
T. Ian McLeod
Roger Suffling
Tanny Wells
R. Lee Woods
Cathexis Associates Inc.
Sceptre Investment Counsel Limited
$1,000-$2,499
Stephen R. Cole
Peter Dalglish
Richard Dodds
A. Geroge Fells
Edwin A. Goodman
Clifford Lax
David Taylor
Goodman Phillips and Vineberg
Moore Corporation
Royal Bank Financial Group Foundation
$2,500-$4,999
Anonymous
Roger Suffling
Avenor
Borden and Elliot
Cole & Partners Limited+
George Weston Limited
Nexus Investments
Sedgwick Noble Lowndes
Snowy Owl Management Inc.
$5,000-$9,999
Raptors Foundation
Molson Companies Donations Fund
$10,000-$24,999
Dalglish Family Foundation*
The Chawkers Foundation
$25,000 +
Richard Ivey Foundation
Donations of Services and Gifts In Kind
Borden Ladner Gervais, Barristers and Solicitors
A. George Fells
+ Donations in 1998 and 1999.
* Donations in 1998, 1999 and 2000
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![Second Cache Bay cabin on the southeast point of Cache Bay. The cabin was built in 1938. It was a very exposed location for aircraft landings so the next and present cabin was built on an island in Cache Bay in the 1950's. [Lloyd Rawn collection].](../newsletter_photos/cache.jpg)
Second Cache Bay cabin on the southeast point of Cache Bay. The cabin was built in 1938. It was a very exposed location for aircraft landings so the next and present cabin was built on an island in Cache Bay in the 1950's. [Lloyd Rawn collection].
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The Quetico
Published by
The Quetico Foundation
48 Yonge Street, Suite 610
Toronto, Ontario
Canada M5E 1G6
Tel: (416) 941-9388
Fax: (416) 941 9236
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