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| Lake Kamestastin (Mistastin on most maps such as the one to the right) very roughly translated from Mushua-Innu means 'Place where the wind knocks things down'. This is a bit ironic since what makes the lake significant biologically, ecologically, culturally, anthropologically and archaeologically, is arguably the relative shelter from the wind that the bowl the lake sits in provides (though we directly experienced the wind knocking things - and people - down). |
| Lake Kamestastin was formed by a meteorite impact about 38 million years ago (+/-). The crater is just under 20 miles in diameter according to all the learned sources I could find, though to my artist's eye the circular pattern surrounding it extends closer to 40 miles in diameter as seen in the Google Earth image in the middle above. In either case the depression of the crater apparently provides enough shelter from the namesake wind mentioned before to provide some vestige of moderation from the surrounding near Arctic climate. This allows a significant stand of mature Black Spruce to grow on the south shore of the lake which in turn is a wildlife magnet that funnels much of the George River herd through on migration each spring and fall. This in turn has drawn the Innu - for over 7,500 years. It also provides a key migratory stopover and/or breeding habitat for untold waterfowl, shorebirds, passerines and raptors; literally "untold" in that there has never been a bird census done in the area; something we hope to rectify next year. |
| The Expedition (text and pictures) |
This years' main expedition was a base-camp operation rather than our usual canoe trip. We did this for
several reasons:
1. It allowed us to include some excellent artists who might not have been able to be on a canoe crew
2. It allowed us to focus intensely on the area without having to spend a great deal of each day setting and
breaking camp.
3. It allowed us to familiarize ourselves with the area in preparation for subsequent work next year
4. It maximized our chances of intercepting the George River caribou herd on migration
several reasons:
1. It allowed us to include some excellent artists who might not have been able to be on a canoe crew
2. It allowed us to focus intensely on the area without having to spend a great deal of each day setting and
breaking camp.
3. It allowed us to familiarize ourselves with the area in preparation for subsequent work next year
4. It maximized our chances of intercepting the George River caribou herd on migration
| Why Caribou? |
Our focus on Woodland Caribou for this trip flows from our work with Dr. Loring and the Arctic Studies
Center and our previous expeditions on the George River. Caribou are dependant on old-growth Boreal
Forest and as such are a good indicator species: if they are doing well then the underlying ecosystem is
doing well. In addition to their ecological significance, caribou have been a central aspect of Innu culture
for thousands of years and provide a cultural, anthropological and even archaeological insight into the
Boreal Forest and the people who have called it home since the glaciers retreated.
Center and our previous expeditions on the George River. Caribou are dependant on old-growth Boreal
Forest and as such are a good indicator species: if they are doing well then the underlying ecosystem is
doing well. In addition to their ecological significance, caribou have been a central aspect of Innu culture
for thousands of years and provide a cultural, anthropological and even archaeological insight into the
Boreal Forest and the people who have called it home since the glaciers retreated.
| The Land (text and pictures) |
| The Tshikapisk Foundation in Sheshatshit, Labrador invited us to Lake Kamestastin where for over 7,500 years the Mushua-Innu have met the George River caribou herd on its spring and autumn migrations. We explored the region in preparation for further work in the area next year, photographed bears, ptarmigan and well over a thousand caribou at close range and helped winterize the cabins and main lodge. This expedition was made possible by the generosity and insight of the Canadian Wildlife Federation |
| Caribou shaking off after crossing the lake near camp |
Wilderness River Expedition Art foundation