Eco-tourism grows in remote places

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Only a few short years ago, the James Bay coast was the last place most people thought of as a tourist destination. But the industry and creativity of the Omushkegowuk, the Cree people of the James and Hudson Bay lowlands, is ensuring they get to capitalize on a spectacular upsurge in interest in their remote communities.

Europeans, especially, want to experience a pristine wilderness environment. But eco-tourism is starting to catch on at home too.

The Moose Cree band hopes to accommodate them all. They've already had experience offering customized packages to people as a First Nation, now they're moving up in scale.

They are building a $2.2 million facility, known as Wa-sh-ow James Bay Wilderness Centre. The centre will highlight Cree culture while providing a get-away destination that is as rustic or royal as individual tastes require. Construction could be completed by early September this year, subject to weather that can affect shipping across James Bay.

They've been planning this since 1993, according to tourism officer Darrell O'Connor.

"It took us a little while to have everything off the drawing board and have everything ready to approach the funding sources for it," he said.

About three years ago they had their business and marketing plans ready to submit to Aboriginal Business Canada, FedNor and more recently they've approached the Indian Affair's Opportunity Fund and the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation.

"Right now we're just waiting for word on whether we're going to have final financing in place to finish it off. We've got about 50 per cent of it complete."

They've already spent $1.1 million. Costs for shipping and construction in a remote area have driven the costs considerably higher than originally estimated.

A lot of people stand to benefit though. Moose Cree First Nation has about 1,700 members, about 1,300 or 1,400 of whom live on the reserve.

O'Connor said to start with, their eco-tourism venture will create about eight full-time jobs and three or four seasonal positions. The spin-off potential is tremendous.

The Moose Cree's world-class wilderness destination is located at Hannah Bay, which is 10 kilometers upstream from where the Harricanaw River flows into James Bay.

In summer, guests can either paddle down the Harricanaw, Kesagami or Katawagami rivers, or they can get to Wa-sh-ow via the freighter canoe at Moose Factory, located 75 kilometres west.

During freeze-up and break-up, access to the resort is by helicopter only.

Visitors can also get to the wilderness centre from Waskaganish, Que., 85 kilometres northeast of Hannah Bay.

In winter, skis, snowmobiles or float planes are the preferred modes of transportation.

When they get there, guests will be able to live many aspects of authentic Cree culture in a totally hands-on experience.

There's plenty of sight-seeing too, with experienced guides to introduce them to animals such as moose, caribou, bear, 160 kinds of migratory birds, as well as sea animals and abundant fish.

The 4,200 square foot main lodge will provide eating, sleeping and meeting accommodations. Designed in the shape of a goose, the wings will contain six guest rooms with room for up to 22 guests. There will be a circular west lodge to house an additional 12 guests in six rooms.

The structures will be entirely modern, with every eco-convenience built in, including waste management. Energy efficiency will be achieved through renewable wood, solar and wind energy sources.

Away from the main lodge, the Crees will build three villages along the Harricanaw River, where guests can savor seasonal activities that expose them to hunting, trapping, gathering and camp life in an absolutely authentic traditional manner.

Wa-sh-ow will be a place for energetic youth to experience retreats and for stressed-out executives to take time out or to hold their conferences. The Moose Cree people are particularly interested in bringing children from single-parenthomes to Wa-sh-ow to experience the strength of the communal way of life while learning traditional skills.

O'Connor said they will look nation-wide, if necessary, to hire a general manager with experience in operating a facility such as Wa-sh-ow James Bay Wilderness Centre.

"And alongside this general manager we'll have someone from the community who will be a general manager in training. So, you know, this local person could take over in say, four or five years, once the business is up and running and its successful."

The first year they may only operate about 20 weeks. But O'Connor said if all goes well, they'll aim to stay open year-round the second year.

"We feel that the centre and the programs that we want to offer are based around the seasons, so we believe our guests would have to come back four times in order to get the full experience. Like in the fall time we'd be harvesting geese or moose. Summertime is more of a time for gathering, getting together, families at the location. There are families here who use that area traditionally for hunting, trapping and fishing.

"But summertime would offer a different experience because you can travel and use the rivers." Fall time is usually wet, cold and windy, but O'Connor said they can get them in by freighter canoe or float plane. In rough weather they can offer helicopters. In winter, there are the snowshoeing, skiing, snowmobiles "and we're looking into the possibility of offering dogsledding. We don't have anybody here locally that offers dogsledding day trips, but we're looking at maybe getting somebody interested here in the community in doing that."