Travelling to the James Bay Career Fair: Ice Roads and Opportunities

Have you ever driven to Moose Factory? The Learning From Lake Sturgeon Team (LFLS) has!

In late February, LFLS team members Kelsie Iserhoff (Moose Cree First Nation Resource Protection – Environment and Youth Intern) and Allison McKenzie (Wildlife Conservation Society Canada – Youth and Community Engagement Coordinator) travelled the Wetum Road from Timmins to Moose Factory to attend the James Bay Career Fair. 

Kelsie and Cheryl at the LFLS booth.

The Wetum Road is a 170km long winter road. This road is constructed by crews using big machines that pull tires to pack down the snow, removing snowy fluff, and adding layers of water to freeze the path.  Once the road is completely frozen, it is tested to make sure it is safe. It is also maintained throughout the season to connect communities along the James Bay coast with Ontario highways. It takes teamwork to make these roads strong enough for heavy trucks to drive on it for thousands of kilometers.

As we drove, the landscape shifted from dense boreal forest to the sparser, shorter growth of the Hudson’s Bay Lowlands. We passed a familiar camping spot along the Wetum Road, one we can only reach by boat in the warmer months. Just last May, we travelled by boat there for fieldwork. Seeing it now from the road was a powerful reminder of how essential ice roads are for accessing these remote places. Along the way, we were lucky to spot some local wildlife too, including snowshoe hares and a pair of sharp-tailed grouse.

Photo (Kelsie) of camping spot on the Wetum Road from last May’s fieldwork.

As we approached Moose Factory, the road opens up as you cross the Moose River into Moose Factory – and we were surrounded by the snowy expanse of the river – what a beautiful landscape! After our arrival, we spent three amazing days attending the James Bay Career Fair at Northern College, Northern Lights Secondary School, and Delores D. Echum Composite School. We had the opportunity to connect with youth and community members about the research that the Learning from Lake Sturgeon partnership does, as well as sharing information on future opportunities to get involved.

We loved the community dinner that was prepared at Northern Lights – spaghetti with Finnish pancakes for dessert – yum! We look forward to future opportunities to visit, share, connect and learn with the community.