Nothing fishy about relocation project in KI

Chief Donny Morris of Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug First Nation is looking ahead to ensure there is sustenance available for the people of his community.
With an increasing population, Morris thinks about how the future generations can continue the tradition of living off the land.
Morris asks the question: “Do we want to sit around when our membership has grown large. Can we sustain ourselves?”
As he quietly paddled on Sandbanks Lake one day, he noticed the presence of minnows.
He thought to himself, ‘how could (the lake) hold another species?’ He also thought of how whitefish like to eat minnows.
Then the idea came to him.
“We can have stock for future planning for food consumption,” he said.
Morris’ long-term plan is to relocate whitefish from Big Trout Lake to Sandbanks Lake, which is road accessible.
“If the lake (Sandbanks) is successful, we will have another lake to get whitefish from,” Morris said.
To Morris the new lake, where about 100 to 200 fish will be transferred, has the same ecological characteristics of the whitefish’s current habitation.
Morris also observed Sandbanks Lake has sucker fish.
“The suckers feed off of the same items, that is why I assume they would survive. It is part of the planning in stocking the lake. We believe it can hold whitefish.”
The fish transfer is expected to happen in July, when mayflies are floating on the lake and when the weather is warmer.
Morris is counting on volunteers to help implement the program. They would catch and release anywhere from 100 to 200 fish for the project.
“Definitely there is an interest in doing that work.”
Morris hopes the fish relocation will be a success.
“If this thing would be successful, it is anybody’s guess. If it’s a successful program, what is to prevent us from looking to other lakes in our area?”