Parks Canada Parks Operations Trainees

Theron Abel-Desjarlais

“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. Marci cho.”

Tyson Marlowe

“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 Thaidene Nëné Ni Hat’ni as a team.”

Dacho Poole

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.”