What is the Indigenous Great Lakes Network Initiative?

The concept of the Indigenous Great Lakes Network Initiative (IGLNi) emerged in response to the lack of contributions from Indigenous voices in Great Lakes management and sustainability initiatives, such as the Smart Great Lakes Initiative (SGLi). In the first phase, the goal was to better understand the existing state of Indigenous involvement in Great Lakes environmental research. This included conducting an environmental scan of peer-reviewed literature and gathering insights through online surveys with representatives from Indigenous communities, Nations, Tribes and organizations. 

Click on the above image to view the PDF version of Phase 1 Project Report.

Online Workshop Series

Those involved in the survey expressed a strong interest in collaborating on research and monitoring initiatives to address the environmental challenges faced by their communities. In response to these findings, Phase 2 involved organizing a series of online workshops centered around community interests and priorities. Following the workshop series, participants expressed the need for establishment of a network, now the IGLNi, to serve as a significant step in removing barriers and supporting and advancing short term and long-term environmental research goals. To further explore what the network might look like and how it would operate, two in-person networking events were held with IGLNi participants.

Click the links below to view PDF versions of the online workshop series reports:

Workshop 1: Indigenous Environmental Research Network Building in the Great Lakes

Workshop 2: Developing a Research Program Through Great Lakes Indigenous Environmental Network Building

Workshop 3: Understanding and Advancing Indigenous Data Soverignty and Governance within Great Lakes Indigenous Environmental Research Networks
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Workshop 4: Opportunities for an Indigenous-led Network to Support Great Lakes Research and Monitoring into the Future

In-person Networking Events

The in-person events focused on discussing what the IGLNi might look like and how it would operate, while facilitating diverse tables in the Great Lakes region to engage with the initiative and help build connections that advance financial and other support. Participants indicated that the IGLNi must be grounded in community-driven values, and that IGLNi staff should function as an administrative hub to support the priorities of communities, Nations, Tribes and organizations. 

Click the links below to view PDF versions of the in-person networking event reports:

Event #1: Indigenous Great Lakes Networking Initative (IGLNi)

Event #2: Network Building Around the Great Lakes

The Indigenous Great Lakes Network Initiative (IGLNi)

Today, the IGLNi serves as a resource hub for Indigenous communities, Nations, Tribes and organizations, facilitating collaboration and knowledge-sharing to advance Indigenous research and monitoring priorities in the Great Lakes region. 

Learn more about the purpose and intentions of the IGLNi here.

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