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Robin Catholique (2025)Why did you want to work as a summer student with Parks Canada in Thaıdene Nëné?
I wanted to work alongside Parks Canada as a summer student for a variety of reasons. I’ve always had a strong passion for working on the land, ever since I was a kid, because it helped create a sense of belonging. As an Indigenous person growing up around Łutsël K’é, I’ve always been fascinated by learning and discovering more about my cultural heritage and identity. I’m also grateful for any opportunity to work on the land or engage in cultural activities. What did you learn this summer? As a summer student with Parks Canada in Thaıdene Nëné, I had the opportunity to work on the land alongside Parks staff and community members. I helped with community events in Łutsël K’é. I also gained a lot of practical skills, including fieldwork, navigation, and safety on the land and water. I also learned the importance of teamwork, adaptability, and respect for the traditional knowledge and land within the protected area. This job experience taught me a lot of skills and knowledge related to working outdoors. A few of the lessons I learned are: always be prepared, travel with an essentials bag, always wear your PPE (personal protective equipment), and most importantly, carry a box of matches just in case something happens and you're stuck out on the land. What were some highlights from your summer? One of the most memorable highlights was my introduction to the job because I started during our annual hide tanning camp here in Łutsël K’é. I had the opportunity to meet my supervisor, Sarah, and be introduced to the work in a significant way, by engaging with the community more. I also enjoyed travelling to Welcome Camp in the afternoons and taking part in cultural activities with community members. From these experiences, I learned the importance of connecting with the land and the people who live there, as well as the synergy between cultural knowledge and Parks Canada's work. |
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Dacho Poole (2023-25)Dacho is 22 years old and has lived in and around the community of Łutsël K’é his entire life. He was named after a point in Artillery Lake called Ɂedacho tu, which translates to “where the caribou cross.” It holds a great significance in his life to be named after such a place. Since a young age he’s been interested in the preservation of his people’s lands and resources for future generations, so they can learn and practise the way of life that has been passed on by his ancestors for countless generations. He enjoys being out in the field, engaged in hands-on activities.
In his words, “I love practising my culture, playing hand games, and being engaged in my community ever since I was young. I enjoy taking pictures. In high school I won a gold medal in photography in a Skills Canada regional competition. I couldn’t be happier to have the opportunity to work in such an environment. Hopefully all the skills and tools I’ve learned over time will be a great asset for this park here in Thaidene Nëné, the land of our ancestors.” |
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Tyson Marlowe (2023-24)“I am 23 years old, and I’m a LKDFN band member. I have lived in Łutsël K’é all my life. Being here gave me a chance to look into how my ancestors used to live back then. Growing up my family would take us to Duhamel Lake, where my grandparents’ camp is located. They taught us everything that they know at a very young age. I started going out to the Barrenlands at the age of 11 with my grandparents, and it gave me an understanding why it is important to keep this land safe for future generations. I started working for Ni Hat’ni Dene at 19 and I really loved it. I wanted to continue working for them for a couple years because I was able to gain knowledge from other people that I was working with. Working out in the field has an impact on me. I’m looking forward to being able to collect the knowledge from everyone that we’re going to work with and share it with other people as well, and also working with Parks Canada and the Thaıdene Nëné Ni Hat’ni as a team.”
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Theron Abel-Desjarlais (2023-24)"For most of my life, I have lived in Edmonton, Alberta, but every summer my family would make the trip back to Łutsël K’é. My parents grew up in Łutsël K’é and would often tell me stories and their experiences. I feel like that’s what I was missing in my life. I just recently moved back to Łutsël K’é, hoping to experience living on the land and exploring how my parents once lived. With Parks Canada I think I will be able to have just a bit of that experience and much more. I am beyond excited to be here working in Łutsël K’é. Marcı cho."
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