Muddy Boots is our internal blog where our staff members share experiences getting their boots muddy with on-the-ground conservation research! You can find our contributions to external blogs and Op Eds here.
Original thread posted on WCS Canada Twitter.
By Claire Farrell
Alongside our Moose Cree First Nation Resource Protection partners, we have run some exciting river-based happenings in our youth program including on-the-land events and connecting youth with Elders virtually!
Moose Cree youth led by JRDYC staff use snowmobiles to get to river sites out on-the-land after receiving virtual water-sampling training from WCS Canada. (Photo Credit: Rachel Corston)
Many boreal rivers and lakes have been changed by hydroelectric dams and development. The Moose Cree Homeland is no exception: land, water & species-at-risk like namew (lake sturgeon) are impacted - some namew are older than the dams constructed in their habitat!
Hydroelectrics dams (left) impact lake sturgeon populations and change their habitats from intact, free-flowing rivers (middle) to rivers with reduced and unnatural water flow and increased sedimentation.(right) This affects the river ecosystem and fish migration. Art by Eric Dyck.
Moose Cree youth used Water Rangers water sampling kits to test the nipiy (water) in their Homeland! This experience trained youth in aquatic sampling methods and encouraged water stewardship.
Moose Cree youth led by KIFC and MCFN staff drill ice holes and use Water Rangers testing kits to measure acidity and dissolved oxygen levels of river water. (Photo Credit: Jennifer Simard/MCFN)
Because we weren't able to travel to communities, we held virtual training sessions, a gathering and partnered with Kapuskasing Indian Friendship Centre & John R Delaney Youth Centre to help host events safely! We packed gathering gifts/materials and shipped them out to youth and Elders!
We were able to co-host a virtual Elder-Youth Gathering about lake sturgeon and water in the Moose Cree Homeland with our Moose Cree Resource Protection partners and with youth centres in Kapuskasing and Moose Factory.
Can you spot Connie or Claire from our Ontario Northern Boreal team?
Our virtual gathering honoured the insight and ideas coming from Moose Cree youth: they are leading the way in land protection and connection!
Art by cartoonist and art educator Eric Dyck. Follow him at @mr_ericdyck on Twitter!
Here’s what Moose Cree youth Rachel Corston had to say about the experience!
We are excited to continue to have more youth programming events and training opportunities! Stay tuned for more updates & follow our new Learning from Lake Sturgeon Program Twitter, @LFLS_Namew!
Photo credits: Banner | Lila Tauzer © WCS Canada