In this Co-management Podcast episode, host Jamie Snook sits down with two legendary co-management practitioners, Mark Wedge and Lindsay Staples, to explore the evolving landscape of Indigenous governance in the Yukon Territory. Dive deep into a transformative conversation about co-management, self-determination, and the critical importance of relationship-building across cultural boundaries.Mark Wedge and Lindsay Staples share decades of experience navigating complex Indigenous-government relationships, offering profound insights into ceremony, traditional knowledge, and creating ethical spaces for meaningful dialogue. They discuss innovative approaches to conservation, Indigenous-led initiatives, and the ongoing journey of healing both land and community.Listeners will gain unique perspectives on how Indigenous communities are reshaping governance models, challenging colonial frameworks, and moving towards more collaborative, respectful approaches to land management and decision-making.

Dive into the heart of Yukon's co-management system with Nick Wozniewski at the Dawson District Renewable Resources Council (DDRC). In this episode we explore how Indigenous traditions, local knowledge, and community engagement intersect to preserve cultural heritage and manage renewable resources.Nick shares remarkable insights into the DDRC's innovative programs, including their innovative trapping week in local schools, where students learn skinning techniques and gain deep respect for traditional harvesting practices. Discover how the council is bridging generational knowledge gaps and empowering youth through hands-on environmental education.Whether you're interested in Indigenous knowledge, environmental conservation, or community-driven initiatives, this episode offers a unique window into the collaborative approaches that are reshaping how we understand and interact with our natural resources.Additional resources:https://yfwmb.ca/renewable-resources-councils/

Dive into the world of Indigenous co-management with Jennifer Smith and Billy Storr as they share their groundbreaking work protecting the Yukon North Slope. This podcast explores how Indigenous communities, government agencies, and wildlife experts collaborate to preserve critical Arctic ecosystems and support the legendary Porcupine Caribou Herd.Learn about the Aullaviat/Anguniarvik Traditional Conservation Area, a testament to Indigenous leadership and environmental stewardship. Discover how trust, communication, and traditional knowledge are key to successful wildlife management. Billy Storr and Jennifer Smith share decades of experience navigating complex conservation challenges, offering insights into building sustainable relationships between communities and environmental protection.Additional Resourceshttps://wmacns.ca

In this Co-management Podcast, Sue and Dennis share their 20-year journey of establishing the T’akhu  Tlén Conservancy, a unique conservation partnership between Tlingit leaders and non-profit conservationists. Their collaboration emerged from a shared commitment to protecting the Taku River watershed, the largest intact salmon ecosystem in North America. By blending traditional ecological knowledge with Western scientific approaches, they created an innovative management model where Tlingit voices hold the majority of decision-making power.Their approach transcends typical co-management by focusing on holistic community health, language preservation, and intergenerational knowledge transfer. The conservancy deliberately balanced Indigenous and non-Indigenous perspectives, recognizing that effective conservation isn't about ethnicity but about listening and understanding. Their model works because it centers mutual respect, shared goals, and a deep commitment to protecting the land. The partnership's success lies in following elder guidance, nurturing young Tlingit voices, and maintaining a vision of sustainable environmental and cultural preservation.Other resources:https://takhuatlen.org/https://trtfn.com/https://wildsalmoncenter.org/2024/05/28/the-taku-a-salmon-stronghold-to-watch/

In this Co-management Podcast, Elder Norma Cassie and Jared Gonet take us on a profound journey through Indigenous conservation, focusing on the critical state of salmon in the Yukon River. Discover how a groundbreaking project aims to empower Indigenous youth to speak out for salmon, preserve traditional knowledge, and challenge current environmental management practices.Through storytelling, Elder Cassie shares her experiences of abundant salmon in her youth and the devastating decline of these vital fish populations. Jared, a PhD researcher, collaborates to create a unique program training young Indigenous people to become environmental advocates. The conversation explores deep connections between salmon, Indigenous culture, and food security, highlighting the urgent need for Indigenous-led conservation efforts. Learn about the challenges of co-management, environmental threats, and the inspiring resilience of Indigenous communities.Listen to these leaders who bridge traditional wisdom with youth activism, offering hope for the future of salmon and Indigenous territories. Please leave your comments below, and like or subscribe to our channel. Other resources:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558811513296https://ecologyandsociety.org/vol29/iss4/art11/https://cdnsciencepub.com/doi/10.1139/er-2018-0093

In this episode of the Co-Management Commons Podcast, Dr. Carmen Wong, an ecologist with Parks Canada, shares her transformative journey of integrating Indigenous knowledge into scientific research. Based in the Yukon's Kwanlin Dün territory, Wong discusses the complex process of reconciliation, co-management, and healing historical wrongs in conservation practices.

The conversation explores the groundbreaking "10 Calls to Action for Natural Scientists" article and its subsequent documentary, "The Signal Fire," which highlights the importance of Indigenous perspectives in ecological research. Wong candidly discusses her experiences working with First Nations communities, the challenges of decolonizing monitoring programs, and the critical concept of atonement.Listeners will gain insights into innovative approaches to environmental stewardship, the significance of cultural continuity, and how western scientific methods can meaningfully collaborate with traditional Indigenous knowledge. Please leave your comments below, and like or subscribe to our channel. Additional resources:

Towards reconciliation: 10 Calls to Action to natural scientists working in Canadahttps://doi.org/10.1139/facets-2020-0005https://www.signalfirefilm.ca/https://www.kwanlindun.com/https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/yt/kluane

In this episode of the Co-Management Commons podcast, host Jamie Snook explores Lawrence's extraordinary journey from a small town in Northwestern Ontario to becoming a leading voice in Indigenous research and environmental policy.Lawrence shares intimate stories of his family's history, the challenges of indigenous communities, and his transformative work across government, environmental policy, and academia. Discover how he's challenging existing research paradigms through initiatives like the Signal Fire documentary project, an leadership involvement with organizations like Braiding Knowledges Canada.This episode goes beyond typical academic discourse, offering a deeply personal and powerful exploration of Indigenous knowledge systems, environmental conservation, co-management strategies, reconciliation efforts, and research ethics.Lawrence provides unique insights into the complexities of incorporating Indigenous perspectives into scientific research and policy-making. His work demonstrates how collaborative approaches can create more holistic and meaningful solutions to environmental challenges. Whether you're a researcher, policy-maker, student, or simply curious about Indigenous perspectives, this podcast offers a compelling narrative of resilience, innovation, and hope.The podcast title is a tribute to Lawrence's late mom who drove the the Yamaha VK540 on her trapline. It is a utility snowmobile renowned for its durability, reliability, and performance in remote and challenging environments. It has been a popular choice among trappers for decades due to its robust design and ability to handle deep snow and heavy workloads.Additional Resources:https://www.signalfirefilm.ca/https://braidingknowledgescanada.ca/en/

Welcome to a special Yukon series of the Co-management Commons podcast! Join host Jamie Snook in conversation with special guests connected with the Yukon co-management sector as they delve into Indigenous governance, land claims, and self-government agreements in the Yukon.This series features insights from practitioners, researchers, elders, and community members. Learn about innovative approaches to resource management, environmental monitoring, and the ongoing work of reconciliation. Special collaborators on these podcosts include Dr. Kiri Staples and David Silas from Yukon U.This special sub-series of the Co-management Commons podcast are supported by Yukon University, Memorial University, Torngat Wildlife Plants and Fisheries Secretariat, and the UArctic Global Arctic Leadership Initiative - Indigenous and Northern Relationship Development Fund.