Eagles fishing at Aamjiwnaang

By Greg Plain

AAMJIWNAANG FN – At least 12 Bald Eagles and one Golden Eagle have been seen along the banks of the St. Clair River in front of this Sarnia-area First Nation.

Chief Chris Plain was watching the Eagles during lunch and some evenings from the St. Clair shoreline.

 “To have so many Eagles visit our community has been a very powerful and moving experience for the citizens of Aamjiwnaang. To see all the people visiting the river to watch them hunt, take pictures, offer their tobacco, and to witness the connection has been an amazing experience.”

Nearby petrochemical plants release warm water from cooling stations into the St. Clair, decreasing the size of ice floes and creating more open water that make for good fishing opportunities for the Eagles.

More eagles are visiting the region this year because of the extreme cold. It is estimated that over 60 per cent of the Great Lakes surface area has frozen over.