Ocean Tribes Gathering

Ocean Tribes Gathering

Please join us for Ocean Tribes Gathering, a special invitation event alongside the IMPAC5 Congress, as we explore food security and Indigenous led conservation through the resurgence of ocean-going canoes.

Hosted at Science World in Vancouver, this event will include a tour of the Sacred Journey Exhibition presented by Vancity and Bákvḷá Exhibition, panel discussions, and a mix-and-mingle reception.

Climate change and the ramifications of human influence on waterways impact the livelihood and food security of Indigenous communities across the globe. This event will showcase Indigenous examples of sustainable fishing and building a conservation economy through Indigenous-led initiatives and stewardship.

Due to space capacity, this event is special 'invite only' for recipients of this e-invitation. Please do not forward, or share on websites or social media.

EVENT DETAILS

• Date: Sunday, February 5, 2023
• Registration: PLEASE NOTE: This event has reached capacity, but we are accepting names on the wait list and will contact you when/if seats open up. Fill out the registration form to add your name to the waitlist.
• Location: Science World, 1455 Quebec St., Vancouver

EVENT PROGRAM (all times are Pacific Time Zone)

• 6:00 pm - 7:15 pm: Reception

- self guided tours of the Sacred Journey and Bákvḷá exhibitions.

- visit the Skwachays Lodge Artist in Residence display featuring local artists.

- appetizer samplings of local Indigenous foods will be served.

• 7:15 pm - 9:15 pm: Panel presentation in the Science Theatre (see below for details)

PANEL CONVERSATIONS

"What Do Fish Mean To Us?"

This panel will involve four interdisciplinary thinkers, in conversation together, discussing what fish mean to them in their respective worlds of Indigenous scholarship, and what we can learn from fish and water as we consider global change, food systems and sovereignty, science education, fisheries rights and resurgence, and more.

• Dr. Danielle Ignace is an enrolled member of the Coeur d’Alene tribe and an ecophysiologist studying the impacts of climate change, fire, and introduced species on ecosystem health and Indigenous communities. As a strong advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion in science, she seeks to amplify Indigenous voices, perspectives, and knowledges in the climate and nature emergency dialogue. Dr. Ignace is deeply committed to developing Indigenous curriculum and fostering distinctive collaborations to understand and communicate pressing environmental problems.

• Dr. Tabitha Robin is a mixed ancestry Métis and Cree researcher, educator, and writer. She is an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Land and Food Systems at the University of British Columbia. She spends much of her time learning about traditional food practices. Her work focuses on Indigenous food sovereignty.

• Dr. Shandin Pete was raised in Nłq̓alqʷ (“Place of the thick trees”, Arlee, Montana). His mother is from the Bitterroot Band of Salish (Montana) and his father is Diné from Beshbihtoh Valley (Arizona). He is a hydrogeologist and science educator with interest in Indigenous research methodologies, geoscientific ethnography, Indigenous astronomy, social-political tribal structures, culturally congruent instructional strategies, and Indigenous science philosophies. His work focuses on community engagement to understand shifts in an Indigenous paradigm of research for science knowledge production.

• Dr. Andrea Reid is a Nisga’a Citizen, with her paternal family from Gingolx, Gisk’aast (Killerwhale) clan. She was raised on Epekwitk (Prince Edward Island) by her mother and brothers, and now lives in Gitlaxt’aamiks in Nisga’a Territory. In 2021, she joined the Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries at the University of British Columbia as an assistant professor, where she launched and now leads the Centre for Indigenous Fisheries: a new interdisciplinary unit committed to intergenerational, land-based, and relational approaches.

"Voice of the Ocean"

This session will focus on work being done to unite indigenous Pacific cultures/communities around this idea that the Voice of the Ocean - i.e. indigenous views of the ocean as an ancestor/being, that has its own rights to exist and flourish - can be a promoted and developed as a key element in the protection of our oceans and the planet. We know that this is not a new idea, but we could use the PVS Moananuiakea circum-Pacific voyage and the collective power of Pacific indigenous communities to bring it forward and into action in increasingly urgent times.

• Dan Hikuroa (Ngāti Maniapoto, Waikato-Tainui/ Ngaati Whanaunga) employs Earth Systems/Environmental Humanities approaches in his work at Waipapa Taumata Rau/University of Auckland and is an established world expert on weaving Indigenous knowledge and science. Dan is UNESCO New Zealand Culture Commissioner, AGU Council member, has key roles within New Zealand’s Science Research Sector and is re-imagining/remembering relationships with water. Dan is spearheading alternative ways of assessing sustainability, including weaving indigenous knowledge and epistemologies with science and into legislation, assessment frameworks and decision-support tools

• Hinano Murphy is an expert in Tahitian cultural history. She grew up on Moorea and Tahiti learning oral traditions from her elders. Hinano has worked as a school teacher, a technical advisor developing Tahitian language/culture programs for the schools, and an Associate Director of the UC Berkeley Gump Research Station. She served as President of Te Pu Atitia, where she founded the Atitia Cultural Center on Moorea. The Cultural Director for Tetiaroa Society and the Head of the Cultural Committee. Hinano has lectured around the world on traditional Polynesian knowledge and its intersection with science, conservation, and environmental philosophy.

• Frank Murphy is the Executive Director of the Tetiaroa Society FP, which facilitates scientific research, and carries out conservation programs, natural and cultural history tours, and educational programs on the private island of Tetiaroa.

"Conservation Economy Through Ecotourism"

Transformational change through Indigenous education and research does not just happen! It requires a prevailing team of individuals prepared to carve new paths, willing to remove opposition or struggles along the way and challenge conventional methods applied to Indigenous research. In this session we will explore the Indigenous Ecotourism program (IETP) and research project, co-developed and delivered on the West Coast of Canada by the Heiltsuk Tribal Council, Vancouver Island University and North Island College.

Through a lens of visitor education and tourism economic development, the program brought awareness of land-based healing and conservation through stewardship. An integrated approach to ecotourism and stewardship/conservation economy education and research, along with the goal to advance the Indigenous protected and conserved areas and guardianship program is explored as the Indigenous-led “Healing Way of the Future”.

• Dr. Joanne A. Schroeder is a Professor and Chair in the Department of Recreation and Tourism, Vancouver Island University, Canada. Numerous roles have included administration, teaching, consulting, research and graduate supervision, and development of experiential learning such as field schools and study tours. She is also the first Chairwoman of the World Leisure Organization, and past Director of the World Leisure Centre of Excellence. She has taught within the Indigenous Eco tourism program and led the associated research project. Training Indigenous Ecotourism students to be research assistants has been a transformative and inspirational learning experience. Together, we were able to listen, write, explore, and share the narratives that shape people’s lives through Indigenous education, Eco tourism and the conservation economy. Joanne lives, works, and plays on the world’s 43rd largest Island, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada.

• Frank Brown is a member of the Heiltsuk Nation from Bella Bella. His Hereditary Chiefs-Yím̓ ás name is λáλíya̓ sila meaning “preparing for the largest potlatch.” Brown is an adjunct professor in resource and environmental management at Simon Fraser University. He is also executive producer and co-curator of the Sacred Journey travelling exhibition. He recently received an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from Vancouver Island University and is a BMO Indigenous Advisory Council member. Brown is a leader in the Pacific coast-wide ocean-going Indigenous canoe resurgence and organized Tribal Journeys to Bella Bella. Brown was the founding director of the Heiltsuk Integrated Resource Management Department and director of Land and Marine Stewardship for the Coastal First Nations – Great Bear Initiative. He co-developed an Aboriginal Eco-Tourism training program with the Heiltsuk Tribal Council, Vancouver Island University and North Island College. And supported the development of an Indigenous Guardians training program with Coastal First Nations – Great Bear Initiative and Vancouver Island University.

INTRODUCTORY AND CLOSING REMARKS

• Master of Ceremonies (MC): Saul Brown, Heiltsuk & Ratcliff LLP
• Heiltsuk Hereditary Chief Frank Brown, ILI Sr. Advisor and Adjunct Professor at Simon Fraser University and Vancouver Island University.
• Bev Sellers and Miles Richardson, Indigenous Leadership Initiative

What is the Sacred Journey Exhibition?

This travelling exhibition shares the First Nations’ story of their healing journey through the resurgence of ocean-going canoes along the Pacific Coast.

Told by leaders in today’s canoe resurgence, Sacred Journey combines art, immersive audio, video displays, and interactive experiences, and will be open to the public at Science World from July 15, 2022 to February 20, 2023.

Produced by SeeQuest Development Co, Greencoast Media, and Heiltsuk Tribal Council and presented by Vancity.

Click here to learn more about the traveling exhibition.Ri

Click here for examples of building a conservation economy through stewardship training.

We look forward to welcoming you and sharing this experience with you!

Questions?

For general questions around the event, registration, location etc., please contact

• Dana Higgins, Director, Public Programs and Engagement at Science World | dhiggins@scienceworld.ca

For questions related to the Sacred Journey exhibition, please contact

• Kathy Brown, SeeQuest Development Co. | canoe1993@gmail.com | 250-957-8464