Program Schedule

Pick up your badge and delegate package, check out the silent auction and get your questions answered by friendly volunteers.

• Technical Program

Featuring Tina Giroux-Robillard, Earl Evans, Stephanie Behrens, James Hodson and Boris Eyakfwo This plenary session will showcase more than four decades of co‑management, caribou stewardship, and community leadership across the Beverly and Qamanirjuaq ranges. Drawing on voices from Indigenous knowledge holders, harvesters and board members from the BQCMB, this plenary session will explore how shared decision‑making, on‑the‑land knowledge, and long‑term partnerships have guided the BQCMB’s strategy for caribou management through environmental, social, cultural, and industrial change. Through storytelling, visuals, and discussions, this session will highlight lessons learned, the realities and challenges facing caribou and caribou people, and practical approaches for centering Indigenous knowledge and community priorities in caribou stewardship in a changing North.

• Technical Program

Nahots'eezı̀ k'ee (Naa-ho-tseh-zee-k'eh) means a place to rest or take a break in Tłı̨chǫ Yatıì. This is a space for listening, reflection and care during the workshops. Take a rest and ground yourself in this calm, welcoming space that offers touches of northern lifestyle, traditional medicine, teachings and art.

• Rest space

Enjoy refreshments and a chance to connect with fellow delegates.

• Networking

Moderators: Rachele Vada, Orna Phelan

• Technical Program

Micheline Manseau moderates this session to bring insights into emerging methods to improve the cost-effectiveness and efficiency of genetic monitoring tools, advancing conservation science and management strategies.

• Technical Program
• Symposium

Moderators: Gregory Sharam, Amelia Cox

• Technical Program

• Networking

Leads: Kaitlin Wilson, Jessica Norris, Kendra Tingmiak, Deana Lemke A moderated panel of speakers highlights communications successes/failures regarding caribou population changes in their respective regions. Fluctuations in caribou populations are a reality across jurisdictions. While we all want healthy caribou herds, we can sometimes feel disconnected or as if we are working at cross-purposes with our management partners in our efforts to achieve this goal. If we are to truly be united by caribou, we need to be able to communicate with each other about the struggles as well as the success stories. There are many reasons this is challenging, especially during herd population declines. Management actions, harvesting decisions, and data-gathering methods (whether rooted in Indigenous knowledge or guided by scientific methods) can be misunderstood across audiences, which not only undermines conservation efforts but also erodes trust in relationships. Often, we are doing this work in cross-cultural settings. We aim for this to be a space to learn from each other, a space in which practitioners from diverse backgrounds striving for genuine, effective communication can share what has and has not worked in their cultural and ecological contexts. Our intent is for participants to leave with a community of practice in this challenging work, tools for reflecting on their own unique management context, and concrete examples from other jurisdictions. Themes to be touched on include: • The two-way nature of effective communications (e.g. the role of listening and feedback) • The role of relationships in successful and earnest communication, as well as repairing these relationships after a failure in communication • The role of grief and loss in communicating about declines • Why it is important to have a communications plan, particularly one that includes partners • The importance of sharing our failures • Naming the challenges of communicating Indigenous values, actions, and positions outside of Indigenous settings • The need for settler managers/researchers to bring empathy, context, and active listening into their communication practice • Building a community of practice around this work

• Technical Program
• Symposium

Moderators: Marc d'Entremont, Amelia Cox

• Technical Program

Moderators: Deborah Jenkins, Orna Phelan

• Technical Program

Leads: Michele Grabke, Joslyn Oosenbrug Attendees are encouraged to indicate their attendance via Workshop - Species at Risk Mock Assessment. Learn how the NWT is leading the way in species at risk assessment. This workshop is being led by members of the NWT Species at Risk Committee. Participants will take part in a mock species assessment of Dolphin and Union caribou using the NWT’s unique dual approach which uses two separate sets of criteria to assess species at risk—one based in Indigenous knowledge and the other in science. This allows for the best available information on the species to be considered in the way that is most appropriate to each kind of knowledge system. Looking at the information in different ways, and fully considering each kind of knowledge, the NWT Species at Risk Committee arrives at a final status assessment based on a consensus among members and supported by criteria from either or both knowledge systems. The following reading is encouraged to help you prepare for the workshop: NWT Species at Risk Committee Species Assessment Process Dolphin and Union Caribou Status Report and Reassessment (2023)

• Technical Program

Enjoy refreshments and a chance to connect with fellow delegates.

• Networking

The Abitibiwinni First Nation Council is actively engaged in protecting its territory, Abitibiwinni Aki. The challenge is to preserve the culture and identity of the Abitibiwinnik, which requires healthy ecosystems and the restoration of species such as Atik, the caribou. In this film, follow the efforts of the Abitibiwinni First Nation, accompanied by its collaborators, to protect its ancestral lands.For more information: https://abitibiwinniaki.com Executive production: Les productions vivesDirector: Josué BertolinoFunding: Environment and Climate Change Canada

Moderators: Benjamin Larue, Amelia Cox

• Technical Program

Lead: Leanna Parker Four presentations focused on caribou conservation via ex-situ conservation, followed by a panel that will expand on how collaborative approaches are an essential part of reversing the decline in caribou populations across Canada. The panel discussion explores how partnerships—spanning Indigenous communities, scientists and veterinarians, governmental agencies, zoos, and infrastructure experts—are shaping the success of ex-situ conservation strategies in Canada and Finland. Through case studies from four distinct projects, panelists will examine the role of Indigenous leadership and perspectives in guiding recovery actions, the value of knowledge-sharing networks, and the technical considerations involved in implementing conservation breeding and maternity penning programs. The session will highlight lessons learned, opportunities for innovation, and the importance of inclusive collaboration in achieving long-term recovery goals. The panel discussion will begin with Indigenous perspectives on partnership and leadership in ex-situ efforts, followed by an interactive audience Q&A to foster dialogue on advancing a new tool in caribou recovery and conservation.

• Technical Program
• Symposium

Moderators: Amish Dua, Orna Phelan

• Technical Program

Join us for hors d'oeuvres and cocktails while you explore a display of research findings during our poster session. Presenters will be on-hand to explain their work, answer questions, and engage in enlightening discussions. Perfect for broadening your perspective on current scientific and stewardship advancements.

• Technical Program
• Networking

Stroll through Somba K'e Park in Yellowknife's downtown and take in the stunning works and flavours of local artisans and vendors at this Yellowknife-Farmer's-Market style event. Dinner will consist of an NWT-inspired menu by Chef Niki McKenzie. Meal options for specific food allergies and dietary requirements will be available. This event is outdoors.

• Networking