Objectives: The general objective of this project is to conduct the tasks required for the Groundwater Knowledge Acquisition Project on the territory of the Cree Nation of Chisasibi to ensure this project reaches a structure similar to that retained in the projects carried out further south as part of PACES and the PACES-CNE project. Phase 1 of the project, which was already done, involved the collection of pre-existing data and the creation of a comprehensive georeferenced hydrogeological database on the territory of the Cree Nation of Chisasibi. This information gathering will help identify the main gaps in knowledge concerning the territory’s groundwater, particularly in relation to access to drinking water. Activities associated with Phase 2 of the project will aim to fill the gaps identified as priorities in light of the results of the Phase 1 study. Work will focus on (1) acquiring field data, (2) collecting field samples (soil, water), (3) carrying out laboratory tests and analyses, and (4) collecting and analyzing remote sensing data. Targeted methods include in situ and laboratory hydraulic testing, geophysical data acquisition, sample collection for geochemical analyses, visible and thermal image acquisition by drone, and satellite image acquisition and processing. It is also proposed to use the favourable context associated with this project to develop data analysis approaches using tools associated with artificial intelligence, adapted to vast territories such as Eeyou Istchee. The activities associated with Phase 3 aim to integrate and synthesize all the hydrogeological data and information collected and acquired during the project.

Project PI(s):  Eric Rosa (PI, UQAT), Vincent Cloutier (Co-PI, UQAT), Rahim Barzegar (Co-PI, UQAT)

Project partner: Cree Nation of Chisasibi

Funding:  Ministère de l’Environnement (MELCCFP) PACES

Period: 2024/03 to 2029/03