WIIKWEMKOONG—Thanks to the efforts of Manitoulin Streams Improvement Association (MSIA), a shoreline restoration and angling platform installation has taken place in Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory (WUT) through Wiikwemkoong Tourism.
“This project is part of the Wiikwemkoong Tourism Waterfront development plan and is designed to increase angling tourism to the community,” said Seija Deschenes, coordinator of MSIA. “This is designed to bring tourism to the community, from schools travelling to the angling platform, guided tours and groups visiting the area, being provided information on the community, traditional ways of fishing, all with an educational component.”
“We wrapped up the year with this incredible project, the Wiikwemkoong shoreline restoration and angling platform installation,” said Ms. Deschenes.
“Thanks to our partnership with WUT, we’ve stabilized the shoreline at the marina and waterfront, while creating essential in-water habitats for juvenile and spawning fish,” said Ms. Deschenes. “For the angling platform the work is still in progress, as we will be installing an accessible ramp.” The ramp will make spring fishing fun and available to everyone, she said.
Ms. Deschenes explained as well, there will be education signage posted at the platform location, with Kendra of Kendra Edwards Design providing digital design for the signage and Kelsey Waashkeshiinhs Dowdall of Little Deer Design and Photography providing Indigenous illustrations from Wiikwemkoong.
“There was also erosion on the waterfront shoreline, so we received funding to restore 60 metres of shoreline, with 30 cubic metres of river stone on the side, two spawning beds, two woody structures, two boulder cluster as well as two boulder clusters with log piles and two rootwads. They will all be submerged to improve spawning and habitat areas for fish,” said Ms. Deschenes noting there are a lot of rainbow trout in the area.
Luke Wassegijig of Wiikwemikoong Tourism said, “This project is all part of our tourism strategy to develop our waterfront. When we completed a waterfront study in 2022, there were four main pillars outlined, for Prairie Point, Wiikwemkoong harbourfront (Smith’s Bay), Buzwah Park and South Bay.”
“With this (MSIA) project and partnership we looked at shoreline restoration and restoration of fish habitat for fish for Wiikwemkoong Bay restoration where the old marina was,” said Mr. Wassegijig. “We worked with MSIA and the community to put together educational signs to be posted on the angling platform.”
The entire project, “is part of our community beautification program,” said Mr. Wassegijig. “Wiky Bay is one of the sights we wanted to do a restoration and enhancement project,” he said noting the next step is getting designs done for restoration of the rest of the area including the beach, pier and old marina area. “We will be soliciting bids for this design for the waterfront.”
MSIA acknowledged the support it received from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund, FedNor, Ministry of Natural Resources, Au Sauble Bayfield Conservation Authority, Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters, Ontario Federation of Agriculture and Food, FedNor, Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation, Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry and Manitoulin Transport, and donations from Matt’s Plumbing and Whitehaven Cottages for making this project possible.
