Listening to the Elders: The Trail to Moose Lake
On June 24, 2009 about 100 members from the Fort McKay community attended the screening of a documentary on the Trail to Moose Lake. The film examined the history of the route which for centuries the people of Fort McKay used to trap, fish, gather plants and berries, and other necessities for survival.
The relationship that Total has with the leadership and Community of Fort McKay is an example of what a respectful relationship should be. We understand the changes industrial development has meant to the community and it was important to us to capture as much of the culture as we possibly can. Moose Lake will continue to play an important role in the community and stories that might have been lost have now been captured for the youth.
Barbara Camponi, Manager, CSR, SR & Community Engagement
In 2007, the Fort McKay Industrial Relations Corporation (IRC) had a vision to create a documentary of the historic trail. In the summer of 2008, with the support of a $60,000 donation from Total E&P Canada to produce the film, Total and the Fort McKay IRC documented the trail, the lake and the stories surrounding it.
Total hosted a dinner and screening at the Fort McKay Dorothy McDonald Community Business Centre to celebrate capturing the stories about then land and its importance to the culture of the Fort McKay Elders and their people. Every household in the Fort McKay community was given a copy of the film on DVD. If you would like a copy of the DVD, please contact our Fort McMurray Community Engagement office.
Moose Lake, also known by its traditional name Buffalo Lake, or as Gardiner Lake, is located approximately 150 kilometres from Fort McMurray, and 85 kilometres from Fort McKay.