Ecological Monitoring and Knowledge Sharing Camp

​An ecological monitoring and knowledge sharing camp took place at Ɂedacho Tł’ázı̨ (Timber Bay) on Ɂedacho Tué (Artillery Lake) from September 7-15, 2024. The 46 participants included Parks Canada staff, Ni Hat’ni Dene guardians, Elders, and other Łutsël K’é Dene members of all ages.
 
This camp was a follow-up to a workshop held in spring 2023, during which community members identified monitoring priorities. The work planned for the September camp included retrieving and redeploying cameras and audio recording units and conducting vegetation and water monitoring. 
 
Sessions took place with the Elders at camp to discuss the monitoring projects and obtain feedback and direction as to where the wildlife cameras and recording units should be set up. Community members welcomed the opportunity to accompany Parks staff on trips by helicopter and learn how to deploy and retrieve the cameras and recording units.

Community members also spent time exploring the area by boat. They visited places like K’ıchı̨́ı̨ Nué (Crystal Island) and the island in Ɂedacho Tł’ázı̨, where Gahdële, a powerful medicine man, is buried. There were sightings of muskox and caribou in the area. While there were more berries than last year, community members noticed that there were still less berries than normal, especially blueberries. They also observed low water levels.

​“It’s been years since I last visited Crystal Island, which was stunning, especially out on the barrenlands. So many memories and new ones to cherish. Thanks. Mársı cho.”

- Laura Michel

Other camp activities included picking berries, working on meat, getting wood for the camp, working on hides, and fishing. 

​During one of the evening sessions, the Elders shared some of their early memories and other experiences of travelling and living in this area. Another evening was devoted to telling legends. Elder Archie Catholique talked about the importance of young people knowing the history and stories of the ancestors and this area. Youth participants, in particular, enjoyed hearing stories that were new to them, like “The Little People” legend.

One night camp participants looked at some of the images that were pulled off the cameras in the previous few days. Community members thought it was interesting to see the images of caribou, wolves, and bears from the area.

At the final session, participants expressed how grateful they were for the opportunity to visit this special area and learn from the traditional knowledge holders present. 

For Elder participant Irene Fatt, the best part of the camp was “being out on the land and doing everything in a traditional way.” She also loved making cranberry jam and fried bannock.

Rocky Catholique’s favourite part of his time at Ɂedacho Tł’ázı̨ was eating good food and harvesting Labrador tea, spruce gum, and meat.
 
For a number of participants, it was either their first time at Ɂedacho Tł’ázı̨ or their first visit in the fall time. They talked about what a beautiful and special place it is, especially when the leaves have changed colour and the berries are out, and they hope they are able to go back.

​“I have always dreamed of visiting the places of our legends, our history, the places my granny told me about, the places my grandfather hunted, lived.
This was their home.
She had memories of staying in these places, when we still hunted with spears.
Her only job when she was little, was carry the cut meat.
A full loop through time and space, to be close to you again, land…”

- Melaw Nakehk'o

Recommendations for future camps included spending more time on the land (two to three weeks instead of one), having more Elders and youth involved, and making sure to share the old stories and legends with the next generation.