Healing the land: a proposal for the former Pine Falls Paper Mill site

Abstract

Prior to the arrival of Europeans, Sagkeeng Anicinabe First Nation resided on, cared for, and utilized the lands and waters in what is now Fort Alexander #3. Following the industrial movement in the area, including the establishment of the Pine Falls Paper Mill, the lands, once rich in sustenance, slowly became exploited for capital gain. The Pine Falls Paper Mill opened in 1927 and operated until 2010. Since its closure and the demolition of its infrastructure, the land that once supported the mill operations has been left vacant, contaminated, and in need of healing. The purpose of this practicum is to propose a remediation plan for the former Pine Falls Paper Mill site. Furthermore, it suggests a plan to transform the site into a place that supports native medicinal plants as its long-term goal. The sites’ design and supporting research propose a phased planning process to achieve the long-term goal.