HONOURING STURGEON, YOUTH, AND ELDERS’ WORDS THROUGH ART

you can’t work on sturgeon and not work on youth, because they’ll both outlive us in the river: All copyright belongs to artist Nicole Jung — please do not copy/download this image, Mikwec!

A PhD student from the Centre for Indigenous Fisheries, Nicole Jung, created a beautiful image that captures the connection between sturgeon, youth, and Elders and gifted it to the Learning from Lake Sturgeon program. This image belongs to Nicole — but we are excited and able to share her work here!

The story behind the image goes back a few years. Moose Cree Elders’ Advisory Committee have always emphasized the importance of involving youth with any work on sturgeon - namewak.

Their words were shared with Dr. Andrea Reid, head of the Centre for Indigenous Fisheries: research on sturgeon can’t happen without youth, because sturgeon, like youth, are long-lived and will outlast those of us currently on the rivers — meaning that their connection and protection of sturgeon is super important for future-looking stewardship and research.

Sturgeon can live to be over 100 years old!

Andrea shared this with Nicole, who was inspired to create the artwork! The Centre for Indigenous Fisheries does and is partnered on some amazing work with art and youth! Nicole generously gifted this art to LFLS as a gift. The image is a beautiful reminder of the lasting connection between Elders, youth, and sturgeon — and of the work that continues on the rivers we care about!