What inspired you to work in land management?

It’s not so much of a “what” that inspired me to work in Land Management but rather a “whom”, and that person is Chief Heidi Cook. Before she got elected as Chief, she held the Lands Portfolio as a Councillor for Misipawistik Cree Nation (MCN). As a councillor, Chief Cook initiated the process for MCN to sign on to the First Nations Land Management Act and I was offered the position as Lands Coordinator. From there, we worked to ratify the Land Code and seeing her passion for not only our Land and territory, but for future generations is inspiring. She taught me how to reconnect to the Land, a connection that I didn’t realize was lost until then. Under her guidance and with her belief in me, I was promoted to Lands Manager.

Can you tell us about any innovations in looking after the lands and waters that Misipawistik nation are leading, particularly in the face of climate change?

We have an established Guardians program; our guardians are a combination of adults and youth. We started off by monitoring our moose population in the fall/winter seasons and in the summer, we partnered with the Province of Manitoba to conduct Creel Surveys on the Saskatchewan River. This year we are beginning the consultation process on the 20-year Forest Management Plan that is happening within our territory. Becky Cook, who runs our pimatisimeskanaw program, was successful in receiving the “Indigenous Community Based Climate Monitoring” grant. When the snow melts, she and our guardians, will begin water monitoring in the creeks and rivers in and around our territory.

The First Nations Land Management Framework Agreement in 1996 was a significant turning point for First Nations in Canada. Has this agreement had an impact for Misipawistik Cree Nation over the last 26 years and if so how?

The framework agreement has had a huge impact on MCN with our First Nation signing on in 2014. Under the Indian Act – there is no funding for Land Management. My predecessor used to have to write funding proposals to secure work in the Lands Department on an individual project basis which was time consuming and inefficient.

Since MCN signed onto the First Nation Land Management Act Framework Agreement and ratified our Land Code in 2017, we receive funds for Land Management which gives us more control and freedom to decide what we focus on in the Lands Department. We are working on a Land Use Plan for our reserve and we are also in the process of developing an Environmental Management Plan.

In the last few years, the conservation sector has become a lot more vocal about championing Indigenous peoples and local community leadership. Have you noticed any changes for Misipawistik Cree Nation as the focus moves towards models of Indigenous led conservation?

I’ve noticed as the focus moves towards models of Indigenous led conservation that we, as indigenous people, are being heard and listened to for the first time. No one knows our land and territory better than our land users. They know where all the berries are or where our moose go to calve. It’s a step in the right direction when it comes to Indigenous led conservation.