Ecological Monitoring and Knowledge Sharing Camp: Excerpts from the Camp Journal

An ecological monitoring and knowledge sharing camp was held at Ɂedacho Tł’ázı̨ (Timber Bay) on Ɂedacho Tué (Artillery Lake) from September 2-11, 2025. Co-hosted by the Łutsël K’é Dene First Nation and Parks Canada, the camp had 50 participants included LKDFN members of all ages, Ni Hat’ni Dene Guardians, Parks Canada staff, and staff from the following LKDFN departments: Thaıdene Nëné; Wildlife, Lands and Environment; Wellness; and Language and Culture. This is the second year in a row that the camp has happened.
 
Mársı cho to the participants and staff for documenting the camp with photos, videos, and words. Here are some excerpts from the “camp journal” with photos by Hanna Gahdële, Rubin Fatt, Laura Michel, Rosie Gahdële, Iris Catholique, and Sophie Deschamps:

September 2

Participants started arriving to the camp at Ɂedacho Tł’ázı̨ (Timber Bay) today. The guardians and camp workers have been here for a couple of days getting tents set up and cutting and chopping firewood.

​September 3

It’s a rainy day on Artillery Lake. Everyone is settled in. Most people are taking it easy today, waiting for the rain to pass. A small crew of people are servicing the remote cameras and audio recorders (swapping out batteries and memory cards).
 
We’re hoping to set a fish net later.

We had the opening ceremonies this evening after all of the participants arrived. We drummed, prayed, and made offerings to the water. Everyone especially liked watching the youngest drummer in camp, 15-month-old Suzé.

September 4

We’re enjoying our time at Timber Bay. We set and pulled fish nets today.
 
We gathered information about the fish that we harvested. We measured them and weighed them. We examined their organs and removed their ear bones. Ear bones, or otoliths, can tell us how old a fish is. As we worked, Elders and knowledge keepers shared their observations and knowledge.

September 5
What an amazing day! The highlight for me (Hanna) was going out on the helicopter and walking on the tundra. Such a stunning landscape. The vastness of it makes you feel small and insignificant. I’m in awe of the hunters that know how to navigate these lands and all the people that have lived and travelled in this area since the beginning of time.

I saw an old hunting blind and wondered how old it was and thought about the people that would have used it over many, many years.

September 6

We pulled and sampled more fish. It’s great to see camp participants of different ages help with sampling. It’s especially good training for the children and youth who are here.

September 8
There was frost on the dwarf birch when we woke up today. It sparkled in the sunlight.
 
This morning, the guardians and I (Laura) went out with the permafrost team from Parks Canada to take samples. The guardians used drills similar to ice augers to gather soil core samples.

When we got back to camp, there were visitors from home who were spending the day on site. We appreciated the goodies they brought us.

Camp participants looked at and analyzed the core samples together. Further analysis of the samples will be done after the camp.

September 9
The “berry monitors” are hard at work today. Now to wait out 24 hours of forecasted rain and start to pack up camp.

September 10

Today was cool, foggy, and smoky. The berry pickers were busy filling their bags and buckets. Some of the camp members deployed the water temperature sensors, while others reviewed photographs from the wildlife cameras. It’s wonderful to be able to see the land and animals in all the seasons.

I (Laura) am grateful for the boat ride we took surrounded by the breathtaking fall colours that never cease to amaze. I feel incredibly blessed to be here.
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We had our closing ceremonies today. We expressed our gratitude to everyone who helped to make the camp possible and also to the land for taking care of us.

September 11
The first planes picked up camp participants today.

I (Rosie) found two eagle feathers on the beach before leaving Timber Bay. Máhsı cho for this time on the land.

September 12

Today, the guardians finished taking down the camp and cleaning up.

As camp participants travelled back to town, we asked about their experiences. Both youth and Elders enjoyed the camp. Having a helicopter on site to conduct the ecological monitoring made the field work all the more exciting. Many of the traditional land users and harvesters only see the area in winter, so being able to travel by boat and helicopter on Ɂedacho Tué made it possible to see more traditional areas like K’ıchı̨́ı̨ Nué (Crystal Island) and Dzén Kı́n (Rat Lodge), as well as burial sites. Our people have a rich history here.
 
Plans are already in the works for the 2026 Ecological Monitoring and Knowledge Sharing Camp at Ɂedacho Tł’ázı̨!