Youth Training in Ethical Knowledge Sharing and Co-production to Advance Northern, Indigenous-Led Conservation and Stewardship
This past summer, 18 Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth between the ages of 17 and 35 from the Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunatsiavut took part in a 10-day Land-Based Learning Camp led by Norma Kassi, who is the Co-Research Director of the Canadian Mountain Network (CMN). Funded by the Arctic Inspiration Prize and CMN with support from partners, the training camp’s goal was to help youth develop the skills to understand, work and care for the lands and waters within their traditional territories, as well as conduct research that is relevant to Indigenous communities and guided by ethical protocols.
The Land-Based Learning Camp was hosted on the homelands of the Lhù'ààn Mǟn Ku Dan - Southern Tutchone People at Lhù'ààn Mǟn Keyi and based at the Kluane Lake Research Station. The training was led by Elders and knowledge holders, who shared a holistic Indigenous worldview destined to help camp participants apply their learning to specific future research projects and/or employment opportunities. Certifications in land-based learning and remote first aid (Red Cross) were included as part of the program.
During the camp, youth worked together, lived together, learned traditional knowledge from Indigenous Elders and scientific expertise from researchers directly on the land. The youth learned about the history of the area from local knowledge holders, explored Indigenous political history in Canada, the residential school system, local to global impacts of climate change, land guardianship, community-based research, and braiding Indigenous ways of knowing and doing with Western science. Importantly, networks were also built between Indigenous and non-Indigenous young people, which will help the next generation of leaders work together and deepen their understanding of themselves and their connection to each other and the land.
Shä̀w níthän to everyone involved in the planning and teachings, including all who attended to make this possible; Community of Burwash, Guida Mary Jane Johnson, Alyce Johnson, Jared Dulac, Jiah Dzentu, Amber Berard-Althouse, KFN-Harvest Camp, Elder Chuck Hume, Sam Titze, Adam Bathe, Nicole Olivier, Murray Humphries, Fiona Schmiegelow, Chief Bill Wilson, Chief Bev Sellars, Deborah McGregor, Jessica Norris, Patrick Gibeau, Kluane Lake Research Station and staff, and all the youth!
This Land-Based Learning Camp was made possible thanks to the Arctic Inspiration Prize with the contributions and partnerships from the Canadian Mountain Network, Indigenous Leadership Initiative, Yukon Region Assembly of First Nations, Council of Yukon First Nations, Dechinta Centre for Research and Learning, Gwich’in Tribal Council, Labrador Institute of Memorial University and Sahtú Renewable Resources Board.
What an incredible time of learning and knowledge sharing we experienced in this beautiful part of the Tutchone People’s traditional territory! Not only will this build resiliency for Indigenous youth but will develop community capacities to understand and respond to environmental change, while contributing to diversifying economies in the North and supporting adaptation and sustainability.
Check out these beautiful photos of the Land-Based Learning Camp taken by Pierre-Emanuelle Chaillon – Epéchile Production!
