News LINK news Fourth Annual Aboriginal Networking Meeting for Species at Risk Recovery

Ellen Simmons

he South –Similkameen is one of Conservation Strategy for the region. The “Keeping ’s unique and ecologically Nature in Our Future” biodiversity strategy is developing fragile regions. At the 4th Annual Aboriginal a landscape view of the region that promotes the TNetworking Meeting for Species at Risk Recovery, “big picture” without any ownership boundaries. approximately 50 representatives from Aboriginal Richard Armstrong and Chad Eneas, En’owkin organizations, federal government agencies, independent Centre Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) and environmental interest groups, and consultants co-ordinator, shared their expertise in the learned of the successes and challenges particular to knowledge of conservation and restoration. They the region’s critical habitat projects. The collective drive gave an overview of TEK and Aboriginal Traditional of the attendees to engage and share priority activities Knowledge, speaking of the importance of the work related to wildlife conservation was evident and set a they do, as it is necessary for the next generation of positive tone for the 3-day event, hosted by the En’owkin learners to be knowledgeable “Keepers of the Land.” Centre in from March 15–17. This meeting was Blair Hammond spoke about the application undertaken with the financial support of the Government of the Species at Risk Act (SARA), its purpose and of Canada provided through Environment Canada. process. He also mentioned funding programs that Richard Armstrong, Syilx Traditional Knowledge are available to support Aboriginal communities Keeper, offered the opening prayer and welcome on in their work for species and habitat protection. behalf of the Syilx Territory. Blair Hammond, Manager Questions and concerns on funding issues and of Ecosystem Conservation with the Canadian Wildlife Aboriginal input into recovery strategies were raised. Service (Environment Canada), and Dr. Jeannette Ron Hall, conservation technician from the Armstrong, Executive Director of the En’owkin Indian Band, gave the final presentation Centre, brought forward opening remarks and a for day one. Ron talked about species at risk on the sincere welcome to all of the meeting delegates. I then Osoyoos Indian Reserve and the work he has done introduced the workshop agenda and commenced with biologists on the reserve since the mid-1980s. facilitation for the first day. A welcome circle was He highlighted the need to work together to protect conducted, which was an excellent ice-breaker. biodiversity by restoring off-reserve areas. First Robert Sterling and Dave Caswell’s ( Tribal Nations involvement is a necessary requirement. Association) presentation on “Flammulated Owl (Skelole) Later in the afternoon, Richard Armstrong, Chad and Olive-sided Flycatcher (Spzoz’u) on the Shackan, Eneas, and myself conducted an optional outdoor Nooaitch, and Nicomen reserves” outlined inventory interpretive walking tour. Approximately half of the work that has been completed for these two species and delegates and presenters toured Ecommunity Place on the additional project work, including the identification Penticton Indian Reserve to observe ongoing restoration of important habitat and the creation of management and monitoring work for six identified species at risk. strategies to protect these values. Stephen Hureau of Ecommunity Place is a 55-ha parcel that includes the rare Environment Canada commented on how this work and threatened black cottonwood riparian ecosystem. is an excellent example of proactive conservation. The second day of sessions began with a presentation Bryn White, Program Manager for the South by Jeannette Armstrong on “River Forest Lands and Syilx Okanagan Similkameen Conservation Program, Culture.” Dr. Armstrong discussed the cottonwood forest spoke on the goals and strategies of the program riparian systems that once supported wild hayfields, and introduced the ongoing work of the Biodiversity water birch stands, and red-osier ecosystems. Municipal

XII JEM — Volume 12, Number 1 LINK news development and agriculture and flood control measures Aboriginal Council on Species at Risk, spoke about have now reduced these Okanagan riparian habitats to its history, roles, and accomplishments. At the end of less than 4% of their original area. The recovery of the her presentation, a dialogue took place in which the river system is required to preserve this critical habitat audience offered recommendations on how the national for species at risk. Jason Price, councillor for the Wei organization might better engage Aboriginal people. Wai Kum First Nation in Campbell River, examined Dawn Morrison, from the Neskonlith the endangered deltoid balsamroot, which grows on community, closed the third day of sessions with estuarine habitat. This culturally significant plant was a presentation on Indigenous food sovereignty. made into a tea and its seeds were used to keep evil She was able to link the strong connections with spirits away. Through the Interdepartmental Recovery species at risk and similar challenges with food Funds program, the Wei Wai Kum First Nation has been sovereignty in protecting and maintaining Aboriginal able to gather and record traditional use information, relationships with the land and food systems. create a recovery plan, identify critical habitat, remove Although the days were full and there were invasive plants, and erect signage about balsamroot. no breakout sessions, some time was allocated Jeannette Armstrong also presented on behalf of for networking. Comments made at the end the Aboriginal Traditional Knowledge subcommittee of the meeting included the following. for the Committee on the Status of Endangered • Ways were suggested to apply action to our work, Wildlife in Canada (COSWEIC). She explained the such as the need for interactive breakout groups. process and role of COSWEIC in protecting and • More information is needed on critical habitat/Species managing traditional ecological knowledge. Questions at Risk Act policies from higher-level ministerial were raised about who should be contacted on the employees (as they shape policies without our input). subcommittee in order to bring issues forward. • A provincial government presence is needed at George Desjarlais, West Moberly , these meetings. highlighted the status and history of the Burnt Pine • Information is needed from the government of caribou herd. He stressed the seriousness of the decline British Columbia on how they will in caribou numbers and the cumulative effects of implement the Species at Risk Act. hydro, mining, forestry, and petroleum development. • International input is required on The caribou, which once sustained the Dunne-za for Indigenous species-at-risk issues. generations, are now listed as a threatened species. Marla • More input is needed from government Barker, Nuu-chah-nulth Species at Risk Co-ordinator decision makers (e.g., assistant deputy for the Uu-a-thluk Tribal Council (http://uuathluk.ca) ministers and First Nations leaders). Fisheries Management Team in Ucluelet, gave a talk on • Giving presentations should be built into the her work. In their territory, 50 species at risk are listed, Aboriginal Funds for Species at Risk. with over 30 other species considered for designation. This annual meeting was co-funded by Environment Amanda Warman, fisheries biologist with the Canada, the En’owkin Centre, Fisheries and Oceans , discussed the Okanagan Canada, and Parks Canada. Additional sponsors Chinook (Ntytyix) Salmon Recovery Project. She included Theytus Books, EZ Rock Sun FM, and the Town shared background information, future directions, and of Osoyoos. Geraldine Manossa is to be commended current research. She also noted that funding is difficult on the excellent job of organizing this meeting. Selected to obtain for species not listed under the SARA. presentations are available online at http://www.forrex Troy Donovan, who opened day three, spoke as .org/program/abo/species_at_risk.asp?AreaPkey=2 an individual citizen of the Ktunaxa. He talked about his work with mountain caribou, the importance of Contact Information stewardship, and the need to ensure that Ktunaxa oral history is given equal weight with mountain caribou Ellen Simmons is a FORREX Aboriginal Forestry and recovery plans and that Ktunaxa stewardship is included Indigenous Knowledge Extension Specialist, based at the in all aspects of mountain caribou recovery. Carrie En’owkin Centre, RR#2, Site 50, Comp 8, Penticton, BC Terbasket, who presented on behalf of the National V2A 6J7. Email: [email protected] Citation – Simmons, E. 2011. LINK News: Fourth Annual Aboriginal Networking Meeting for Species at Risk Recovery. BC Journal of Ecosystems and Management 12(1):xii–xiii. http://jem.forrex.org/index.php/jem/article/view/113/56

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