One of our employees and Biodiversity Project Leader, Flora Amill had an enriching experience from September 8 to 12, participating in the Nipîy tu fishing camp in Fort Chipewyan. This remarkable initiative perfectly illustrates how Indigenous knowledge and science can unite to protect our ecosystems.
A Model of Collaboration to Discover
The Nipîy tu camp is the result of a unique partnership bringing together the Athabasca Chipewyan and Mikisew Cree First Nations, the Fort Chipewyan Métis Nation, Parks Canada, Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), and the University of Alberta. Together, these partners have created a gathering and research space where tradition and science combine to monitor the health of fish in the Peace-Athabasca Delta.
This monitoring is all the more crucial as the delta’s ecosystem faces significant pressures related to oil sands exploitation and hydroelectric dams in the region.
Learnings for Whapmagoostui
Our employee was accompanied by Robert E. Fireman from the Cree Trappers Association in Whapmagoostui. Their mission: to understand the workings of this inspiring camp in order to share its lessons with the Whapmagoostui community this fall.
This visit demonstrates our commitment to fostering exchanges between communities and supporting initiatives that place Indigenous knowledge at the heart of natural resource management.
We warmly thank the organizers of the Nipîy tu camp and community members for their generous welcome and openness to knowledge sharing.