Neemamo Mishkanan ‘We Canoe Together’ Reunion Workshop
From left to right: Erin Pehar (MHO Adventures), Arthur Koosees, Jhayden Echum (MCFN), Allison McKenzie (WCS Canada), Avery Taylor, Keifer Hester (above), Mackenzie Taylor, Bella Cheechoo-Wesley, Summer-Lee Roussel-Quachegan (above) Syracuse Monture, Naomi Jones (above), Jennifer Simard (MCFN), Claire Farrell (WCS Canada, above), Meegwyn Philip (below), Tiagan Rickard (above), Laurie Sutherland (below), Rachel Corston. Missing: Rylee Small, Ocean Skye Phillips, Kelsie Iserhoff, Kyra Ranney, Rianna Sterk, Sean Landsman.
This August, we joined Moose Cree and Mushkegowuk youth for the Neemamo Mishkanan Reunion Workshop.
Hosted by the Learning from Lake Sturgeon Youth Advisory Group, with mentorship from WCS Canada and Moose Cree First Nation Resource Protection, the four-day camp was held under the sturgeon moon at Pim Pici Wak traditional grounds.
Photo of Sturgeon Moon, shared by Roger Lamothe.
The program wove together conservation science and cultural teachings, giving youth space to reflect on their 2024 Neemamo Mishkanan canoe journey along the hydro-impacted Mattagami River, and strengthen their connections to Kit Aski Nahnuun (the Moose Cree Homeland).
With a variety of workshops guided by Elders, Knowledge Keepers, community members, and LFLS staff, youth learned about the importance of healthy rivers, and weaved culture and science together to inspire future stewardship of the lands and waters in Kit Aski Nahnuun.
Event feedback was overwhelmingly positive—the only complaint was the heat!
The weekend included:
Birding and bird identification
Fish surgical skills training
Water sampling
Conservation learning games
Backcountry camping practices
Nature-based photography
Storytelling and teachings from Elders
Tamarack bird making
Beading
Sewing medicine pouches
Sturgeon fishing with community members
This event was the first to be fundraised for and hosted by the LFLS Youth Advisory Group! Huge thanks to their funders:
Huge thank you to all the community members that helped make this event possible!