Indigenous partnerships
Our scientific research takes place on Indigenous lands and waters. We are committed to reconciliation through research and conservation of wildlife, lands, and waters with Indigenous Peoples.
Our scientific research takes place on Indigenous lands and waters. We are committed to reconciliation through supporting Indigenous-led conservation and partnering to meet Indigenous goals by conducting research and conservation of wildlife, lands, and waters. This requires a shift towards conservation approaches and practices that respect and recognize Indigenous Knowledge systems as well as a recognition of the right of Indigenous Peoples to protect their lands, worldviews, and Knowledge systems. We partner directly with Indigenous Peoples to undertake scientific research and support conservation goals.
WCS Canada recognizes the rights and title of Indigenous Peoples. We commit to respectfully engage with Indigenous Peoples when our work affects or concerns their interests.
Partnerships and collaborations
Some of the ways in which we work with First Nations and the Inuvialuit are by co-developing research on cultural keystone species, such as lake sturgeon and bison, assessing marine mammal diets and health through community-based monitoring, and supporting the planning, establishment and management of Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs).
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We are working with the Moose Cree First Nation in Northern Ontario to document lake sturgeon, or namayo, movements in the North French (known as Kah Ban Yow Sipi or Meh Ko Poh Meh Shtik Sipi in Cree) and Lower Mattagami Rivers within the Moose Cree Homeland. Freshwater fish remain important for food security and cultural and spiritual values for many Indigenous Peoples throughout Canada, but fish are facing threats ranging from warming waters to hydroelectric development that changes water flows, degrades spawning areas and can impact migratory fishes. We are also working to communicate and discuss our research on freshwater fish conservation in northern Ontario to First Nations.
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We are working with interested communities, such as the Weenusk First Nation, on community-based research and monitoring (CBM) efforts, building on our comprehensive report on CBM programs in Canada and around the world.
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We are working with Inuvialuit communities through a partnership with community Hunter and Trapper Committees, focused on assessing seal diets and health (e.g., contaminants) as indicators of a changing Arctic ecosystem. Through our partnership, WCS Canada contributes scientific information as well as training to the Community-Based Monitoring Program for the Inuvialuit Settlement Region (ISR). This program informs and supports decisions by resource managers and developers, Inuvialuit organizations and wildlife co-management boards tasked with managing the wildlife and lands in the ISR.
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We are working in partnership and collaboration with several First Nations, including the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in, on their land-use plans and land stewardship frameworks in Yukon, collaborating on key pieces of research focused on salmon spawning monitoring and permafrost erosion, cumulative effects on species at risk, and applying Indigenous knowledge and scientific knowledge to develop conservation priority maps.
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WCS Canada helped organize a meeting of the American Bison Society in Banff, Alberta, which included a ceremony to celebrate the 2nd anniversary of the signing of the Buffalo Treaty. The treaty serves to honor, recognize, and revitalize the sacred relationship First Nations of North America have with buffalo.
Our work with Indigenous communities is based on partnership, trust, and the recognition of the need to advance the cultural, social, spiritual, physical and economic well-being of Indigenous Peoples. We aim for conservation outcomes that serve both the environment and the needs of the communities we work with.
Through our work, we hope to deliver on the recommendations of the Indigenous Circle of Experts. WCS Canada is a member of the Conservation through Reconciliation Partnership.
Projects
Assessing seal diet and health
We are working with Inuit in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region to assess seal diets and contaminants as indicators of a changing Arctic ecosystem.
Learning from Lake Sturgeon
Big fish need healthy rivers.
Documenting the impacts of underwater noise
Addressing impacts from shipping and climate change in the western Arctic
Stories and op-eds
Resources for National Indigenous Peoples Day and beyond
June 21st is National Indigenous Peoples Day in Canada.
Women in conservation: Finding balance, voice, and impact
To mark International Women's Day, we sat down with Chrystal Mantyka-Pringle, Co-Director of our Northern Boreal Mountains program to talk about her career to date and what's kept her in the sector.Chrystal Mantyka-Pringle
Turning the frame: What we miss when we rush decisions about nature
It seems like 2025 has been characterized by daily news stories about “fast tracking” development or “cutting red tape.”Justina Ray
Media coverage
Conservation group proposes peatland strategy, fighting to prevent peat mining in northern Sask.
First Nations want province to ban development of 3M hectares in remote northern Ontario
KI/Wapekeka seek permanent protection of 3 million hectares
Press releases
Inaugural Fellows selected for groundbreaking opportunity for First Nations women leaders in conservation and stewardship
The inaugural recipients of the First Nations Women Transforming Conservation Fellowship were announced today at the First Nations National Guardians Gathering in Victoria, BC.
Steps backwards for conservation in Ontario
On World Environment Day, we are disheartened to see Bill 5 pass into law in Ontario.
