The Spirit of Temagami

Located in northeastern Ontario, Temagami derives its name from Teme-augaming, an Algonkian name that means "the place of deep water". The area's large lakes are at their most beautiful early in the morning, when cold air condenses at their surface and creates a mist that swirls and drifts into the ancient stands of red and white pine trees lining the lake shores.

Some of the oldest pines in Ontario grow in Temagami, including the "three sisters", a hidden group of trees named for the remarkable way that they grow out of each other. Another sacred place in Temagami is Maple Mountain (Cheebayjing to the Algonkians), the second highest peak in Ontario and "the place where the spirit goes" according to the Algonkian Indians. Beneath its peaceful surface, the area teems with life, from black flies to black bears. The borders of this remarkable wilderness are vague. Loons that fly from their lake-homes in Temagami cross many geographical boundaries, including the boundaries of the former Temagami Forest Reserve (created in 1901), the District of Temagami as defined by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, and N'Daki Menan (the homeland claimed by the Teme-augama Anishnabai). The various overlapping geographical boundaries that humans have superimposed on this particular portion of the biosphere reveal the many ways that humans perceive the area, and hint at the land-use disputes that stem from different understandings of what Temagami is. Disputes over Temagami's future are the result of deep spiritual conflicts.

Preserving the Woods
Temagami's magic survives precariously in the face of many threats, particularly from mining and forestry. In 1989, road blockades by environmentalists and members of the Teme-Augama tribe protested clear-cuts in the area. Three hundred and forty-four people were arrested. Logging was postponed while the Ministry of Natural Resources created new clear cutting guidelines -- those new guidelines were recently released, on November 28, 2001. Sadly, the new Ministry guidelines are inadequate and unsustainable, relying on sketchy science to justify more, larger clear-cuts. Liskeard Lumber is now planning to clear-cut Block 30 (between Obabika Lake and Sharp Rock Inlet), which will require access routes through the Bob Lake conservation reserve. Temagami is at risk; urgent action is needed to preserve the integrity of this sacred land. To voice your opposition to the new logging guidelines, contact Dave Payne, the North Bay district manager of MNR (dave.payne@mnr.gov.on.ca).