News from the Great Lakes: Collective First Nations Stewardship of Lake Superior and Lake Nipigon
Seven First Nations in northern Ontario have come together to protect Lake Superior and Lake Nipigon through a collaborative stewardship initiative rooted in both traditional knowledge and scientific research.
Participants included members of Biinjitiwaabik Zaaging Anishinaabek (Rocky Bay First Nation), Animbiigoo Zaagi’igan Anishinaabek (Lake Nipigon Ojibway First Nation), Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek (Sand Point First Nation), Netmizaaggamig Nishnaabeg (Pic Mobert First Nation), Red Rock Indian Band, Whitesand First Nation, and Fort William First Nation. Also present were members of Lakehead University and the International Joint Commission (IJC). This effort aligns with priorities outlined in the IJC’s Great Lakes Science Plan, emphasizing the need for inclusive, community-led approaches to water monitoring and ecosystem protection.
The initiative addresses industrial impacts—such as mining, logging, and commercial fishing—while prioritizing culturally significant areas. By focusing on collaborative water quality monitoring and data collection, the First Nations aim to restore balance and ensure the health of these interconnected ecosystems.
Participants included members of Biinjitiwaabik Zaaging Anishinaabek (Rocky Bay First Nation), Animbiigoo Zaagi’igan Anishinaabek (Lake Nipigon Ojibway First Nation), Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek (Sand Point First Nation), Netmizaaggamig Nishnaabeg (Pic Mobert First Nation), Red Rock Indian Band, Whitesand First Nation, and Fort William First Nation. Also present were members of Lakehead University and the International Joint Commission (IJC). This effort aligns with priorities outlined in the IJC’s Great Lakes Science Plan, emphasizing the need for inclusive, community-led approaches to water monitoring and ecosystem protection.
The initiative addresses industrial impacts—such as mining, logging, and commercial fishing—while prioritizing culturally significant areas. By focusing on collaborative water quality monitoring and data collection, the First Nations aim to restore balance and ensure the health of these interconnected ecosystems.
IGLNi Announces Date for Annual Meeting: A Gathering for Indigenous Voices in Great Lakes Research
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The IGLNi annual meeting will be held at Casino Rama Resort, Orillia, Ontario on Monday, March 24th, and Tuesday, March 25th, 2025. This meeting is for members and representatives of Indigenous communities, Tribes, Nations, and organizations located within the Great Lakes basin.
Event Focus: This year’s meeting will focus on strengthening the network through collaborative discussions and skill-building workshops. Day 1 will centre on the network itself, including:
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Registration for this event is now closed. Please do not hesitate to reach out to the IGLNi network coordinator, Emma Pirie ([email protected]), if you have any questions.
New MOU Between Great Lakes Fishery Commission and Trent University to Support Collaboration Among Indigenous and Western Knowledge Systems
Pictured (Left to Right): Dr. Andrew Muir, GLFC, Dr. Barbara Moktthewenkwe Wall, Trent University, Dr. Mary-Claire Buell, Trent University, and Dr. Marc Gaden, GLFC.
This press release was provided by GLFC and Trent University.
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OTTAWA, ONTARIO—A new partnership between the Great Lakes Fishery Commission and the Indigenous Environmental Institute at Trent University aims to build research-related capacity and develop collaborative programs to support Indigenous Nations and Tribes across the Great Lakes in a way that is respectful of the Treaty and inherent Rights and Interests of participating Nations and Tribes. The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) confirms each institution’s commitment to respectful, ethical collaboration of Indigenous and Western knowledge systems in a way that will be mutually beneficial for all involved.
"Indigenous-led research is paradigm shifting,” said Dr. Barbara Moktthewenkwe Wall, partnership co-lead, associate professor, and director of the Indigenous Studies PhD program within the Chanie Wenjack School of Indigenous Studies at Trent University. “Through this collaboration, we will work to bring together Indigenous relationality and science with dominant science and create a deep and holistic understanding of Great Lakes ecosystems. Our work will honor and bring to the forefront Indigenous knowledges and ways of knowing.” |
IGLNi Update: New Network Coordinator - Emma Pirie
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In 2021, while she was completing her masters thesis research, Emma began her work with the Indigenous Great Lakes Network initiative (IGLNi) as a research assistant in a working group at Trent University. In that role she conducted research to help create an environmental scan of Indigenous-related research and monitoring projects that were taking place in the peer-reviewed literature. Her time as a research assistant for the initiative gave Emma significant experience in community-based research leading to her helping to facilitate workshops and take on more event planning and coordinating. Ultimately, the network participants made the decision that such a network would be something that would help to advance their communities’ research and monitoring priorities, and the IGLNi officially convened in person for the first time in October of 2023.
Today, IGLNi is still in the early stage of development. The structure of the network is yet to be officially organized. The conversations that make actions must take place between the network participants, supporters and funders, and the IGLNi administrative hub. This is a product of the network’s emphasis on community driven decisions. And that’s where Emma and her new role come in. As the IGLNi’s first Network Coordinator, Emma helps facilitate the goals and objectives of the Network, whether that’s through activities like knowledge sharing, capacity building and community learning, or youth engagement. The formation of her role was a goal explicitly expressed by IGLNi participants, and it is Emma’s priority that the network continues to operate in an ethical and transparent manner, and is continuously responsive to the priorities of the communities that it serves. |
Emma Pirie earned her natural science focused Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Toronto. She continued her education at Trent University, and recently earned her Master of Arts degree in Sustainability Studies. The focus of her thesis examined the ways in which Indigenous Knowledge and Western Science are brought together.
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