Relevant Events and Webinars
For past webinars, including those focused on topics such as proposal writing and data management, please view the IGLN Resource Bank Tab
IGLN Workshop Series: AI APRIL
Part 1: Friday April 24th 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. (EST)
Register for Part 1 here: https://trentu.zoom.us/meeting/register/haEONLK9Qz2sVB7NItB52g
Part 2: Thursday April 30th 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. (EST)
Register for Part 2 here: https://trentu.zoom.us/meeting/register/02UE7mqFTuKUat47pisuhg
The rise of AI might have people feeling divided – while some praise its use for productivity and increased knowledge production, others worry about its ethical and environmental implications. This has an added layer of complexity and responsibility when AI collides with Indigenous knowledges, languages, and cultures.
This two-part workshop strives to provide attendees with a variety of worldviews, research and lived experiences on AI use for listeners to consider how it can be beneficial or pose a risk to Indigenous communities. A diverse panel of speakers will contribute to navigating this complexity with the intention of offering attendees a balanced perspective on AI use. These conversations will uphold an Ethical Space of mutual respect and dialogue from differing worldviews and perspectives with the common interest of protecting the Great Lakes.
The IGLN works as an information hub for First Nations, Tribes, and Indigenous organizations around the Great Lakes. The intention of this workshop is to continue to inform Network Members and others about topics that may be impactful in their territories and work.
Part 1: Using AI in Environmental Research and Monitoring + Protection of Indigenous Knowledges
Friday April 24th 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. (EST)
Speakers:
Natiea Vinson, CEO First Nations Technology Council
- Natiea Vinson is the CEO of the First Nations Technology Council, where she leads the organization's digital enablement work for First Nations across British Columbia. Under her leadership, the organization has expanded its reach, establishing new departments in research and career pathways. She is a member of the Government of Canada's Advisory Council on Artificial Intelligence and served on the national AI Strategy Task Force. Natiea has held senior positions at Indigenous-led organizations, including as a Director at the Canadian Council for Indigenous Business, and was the Founder of Makook, an Indigenous content discovery service. She was a Founding Partner of Coast Educational Development Research, a Lecturer at SFU's Beedie School of Business, and led digital education for BC Children's Hospital. Natiea holds a Master of Business Administration from Simon Fraser University and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Concordia University. A member of Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc, Natiea lives on the traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, and səlilwətaɬ Nations in Vancouver with her husband and two children.
- Angus Galloway, PhD, is a Machine Learning Scientist dedicated to applying advanced technology to Great Lakes conservation. Currently consulting for the U.S. Geological Survey Great Lakes Science Center, Angus develops custom AI computer vision methods to monitor invasive species like Zebra and Quagga mussels and expedite active acoustics-based fisheries surveys. With over nine years of experience, Angus specializes in hardening AI, by ensuring that deep learning systems are accurate, ethical, and reliable enough for mission-critical environments. His academic work is widely peer-reviewed, and he has been recognized as a top technical reviewer and ethics advocate at the world’s leading AI conferences.
Part 2: Environmental impacts + Ethical and Responsible AI use
Thursday April 30th 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. (EST)
Speakers:
Michael Sherbert, Postdoctoral Fellow, Queens University
- Michael G. Sherbert, PhD, is a postdoctoral fellow at Queen’s University and a member of Pikwàkanagàn First Nation. His research examines the ideologies and cultures surrounding technology, with a particular focus on AI, analyzing how it carries forward Western religious narratives of salvation, mastery, and human perfection. Drawing on these insights, he works to reposition technological narratives from Indigenous perspectives, emphasizing relationality, responsibility, and community-defined ethics. As an AI ethicist working with First Nations communities, he supports the development of community-controlled AI initiatives grounded in data sovereignty and relational accountability. He also engages critical questions at the intersection of AI and disability, examining enhancement-oriented models while exploring frameworks that foreground interdependence and lived experience.
- Maria Iturbide Chang is originally from Guatemala and has lived in Northwest Indiana for the past four years. She currently serves as Director of Water Resources for the Alliance for the Great Lakes, where she leads regional strategies to protect Great Lakes water quality, promote sustainable water use, and advance science based policies across the basin. Her work is grounded in water research and wetland protection, with a strong focus on translating science into effective policy and on-the-ground conservation outcomes. Maria is also a member of the Strategic Advisory Group (SAG) of UN-Water, where she contributes to the assessment and coordination of water-related work across 36 United Nations agencies, with a particular focus on water governance and advancing Sustainable Development Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation). Previously, Maria served as Water Policy Director for the Hoosier Environmental Council and, before that, as Executive Director of the Water Fund (FUNCAGUA) and Minister of Environment and Natural Resources in Guatemala. In these roles, she led the development and implementation of policies and regulatory frameworks to address water pollution, water scarcity, and habitat degradation. She holds a PhD in Environmental Policy and Planning from Lincoln University (New Zealand) and a Master’s degree in Environmental Science. She has a strong track record of building coalitions and public–private partnerships to advance water quality and wetland conservation.
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SAVE THE DATE: Nibi Gathering
May 22 - 23, Whiteshell Provincial Park
May 22 - 23, Whiteshell Provincial Park
CIER and Environment and Climate Change Canada's Canadian Wildlife Service invite you to Field Data Collection 101: Planning and Conducting Ecological Studies
February 10, 2026 at 1:30 - 3:00 ET
This training will focus on establishing protocols and procedures for ecological field data collection and long-term monitoring, as well as on safely and effectively conducting fieldwork. We will discuss the logistics of planning (e.g., funding, personnel, equipment) and conducting (e.g., transportation, data collection and storage, safety) ecological field studies.
During this training, we will explore ecological standards and procedures currently used by governments and organizations, and how they can be adapted for community use.
This session is free and open to participants from Indigenous Nations, organizations, and communities across Canada.
Register for the Workshop HERE
February 10, 2026 at 1:30 - 3:00 ET
This training will focus on establishing protocols and procedures for ecological field data collection and long-term monitoring, as well as on safely and effectively conducting fieldwork. We will discuss the logistics of planning (e.g., funding, personnel, equipment) and conducting (e.g., transportation, data collection and storage, safety) ecological field studies.
During this training, we will explore ecological standards and procedures currently used by governments and organizations, and how they can be adapted for community use.
This session is free and open to participants from Indigenous Nations, organizations, and communities across Canada.
Register for the Workshop HERE
Share your Great Lakes perspective with the International Joint Commission
March 12, 2026 (TBC)
The International Joint Commission (IJC) gives impartial advice to the governments of Canada and the United States to help protect the Great Lakes. The IJC is committed to ensuring this advice reflects Indigenous priorities. The IJC is grateful for the participants who shared your time and insights during the IJC's listening session at the November IGLN Gathering in the Soo. Over the next few months, there are new ways to continue to share your perspectives with the IJC:
More Information HERE
March 12, 2026 (TBC)
The International Joint Commission (IJC) gives impartial advice to the governments of Canada and the United States to help protect the Great Lakes. The IJC is committed to ensuring this advice reflects Indigenous priorities. The IJC is grateful for the participants who shared your time and insights during the IJC's listening session at the November IGLN Gathering in the Soo. Over the next few months, there are new ways to continue to share your perspectives with the IJC:
- Photo Showcase: Submit your pictures of Great Lakes water in action, recreation, research, education and science
- Coming soon: Upload a video, audio or written comment about progress to restore, protect and enhance Great Lakes Water Quality
- March 12, 2026 (TBC): Virtual listening session for First Nations, Metis and Tribal governments, agencies and community members to share your views on Great Lakes water quality priorities
More Information HERE
Indigenous Food Sovereignty Summit
April 6 - 8, 2026. East Lansing, MI
Join us for a powerful gathering that celebrates Indigenous food systems, cultural resilience, and community-driven solutions for food sovereignty. This conference brings together Tribal leaders, farmers, scholars, and advocates to share knowledge, build relationships, and inspire action.
Funding is available to help cover registration costs for members of tribal communities. If you are a tribal partner and would like to request a discount code, please email [email protected].
Co-hosted by Michigan State University and University of Michigan.
Registration Deadline: March 29, 2025
REGISTER HERE
April 6 - 8, 2026. East Lansing, MI
Join us for a powerful gathering that celebrates Indigenous food systems, cultural resilience, and community-driven solutions for food sovereignty. This conference brings together Tribal leaders, farmers, scholars, and advocates to share knowledge, build relationships, and inspire action.
Funding is available to help cover registration costs for members of tribal communities. If you are a tribal partner and would like to request a discount code, please email [email protected].
Co-hosted by Michigan State University and University of Michigan.
Registration Deadline: March 29, 2025
REGISTER HERE
SAVE THE DATE: Chiefs of Ontario Powering Up Data Sovereignty Conference
May 12 - 14, 2026. Toronto, ON
This three-day gathering will be held at the Chelsea Hotel in Toronto and bring together First Nations Leadership, technicians, data professionals, and band administrators to reflect on the strides made since 2023, lessons learned along the way, and to offer insight on where the movement for First Nations data sovereignty in Ontario goes next.
For First Nations Leadership, Technicians, Data Professionals, First Nation Community Workers (band managers, band membership clerks etc.)
Registration: COMING SOON
May 12 - 14, 2026. Toronto, ON
This three-day gathering will be held at the Chelsea Hotel in Toronto and bring together First Nations Leadership, technicians, data professionals, and band administrators to reflect on the strides made since 2023, lessons learned along the way, and to offer insight on where the movement for First Nations data sovereignty in Ontario goes next.
For First Nations Leadership, Technicians, Data Professionals, First Nation Community Workers (band managers, band membership clerks etc.)
Registration: COMING SOON
2025 Great Lakes Regional Conference
When: September 21 - 26, 2025
See poster below for more details
Register: https://nafws.org/product/2025-great-lakes-regional-conference/
When: September 21 - 26, 2025
See poster below for more details
Register: https://nafws.org/product/2025-great-lakes-regional-conference/
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OCEANS 2025 Great Lakes Conference
When: Monday, September 29 - Thursday, October 2, 2025 Where: Navy Pier, Chicago, Illinois Registration: Click here to learn more and register Join the leading innovators, analysts, and producers of marine technology, research, and education gathering for the OCEANS 2025 Great Lakes conference. Come meet your fellow professionals and students, hear from experts about their latest activities and ideas, and discuss your needs with the best suppliers of marine and maritime products in the exhibit hall. Local OCEANS Technical Topics include Fisheries and Aquatic Invasive Species, Indigenous Observing in the Great Lakes and Coastal Regions and more! |
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Trent University Ecological Restoration Conference 2025
When: October 24 & 25, 2025
Where: Peterborough, Ontario
Registration: Click here to learn more and register
When: October 24 & 25, 2025
Where: Peterborough, Ontario
Registration: Click here to learn more and register
U.S. Indigenous Data Sovereignty & Governance Summit 2026
When: April 14 - 17, 2026
Where: Tucson, Arizona
Save the Date: Registration not yet open. Check here for updates.
When: April 14 - 17, 2026
Where: Tucson, Arizona
Save the Date: Registration not yet open. Check here for updates.
