Community Connections Series

Pamela Vernaus is a Communications Manager for Nature United and co-chair of Conservation through Reconciliation Partnership’s Communications Learning Circle.

In this conversation, Pamela describes how she came to the conservation sector, the importance of nature to her mental, physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing, and her passion for uplifting and sharing other’s voices and perspectives through film and media.

As a PhD candidate and member of the Conservation through Reconciliation Partnership (CRP), Graeme is investigating Indigenous and alternative visions for nature-based climate solutions and participates in various Work Streams and Sharing Circles.

In this conversation, Graeme describes the relationships he has built and strengthened through the CRP, and his vision for creating a just, equitable and resilient future for the future generations and beyond through Indigenous-led advocacy.

Samantha Noganosh is the Manager of the Lands and Resources Department at Magnetawan First Nation in Ontario, as well as an actively involved member of the community, and Alanna Smolarz is a Species at Risk Biologist for Magnetawan First Nation. 

In this episode, Samantha and Alanna describe their connections to the lands and waters of Georgian Bay, describe their work at Magnetawan First Nation, and explain how the Conservation through Reconciliation Partnership has opened the door to forming new relationships with others in similar situations to their own.

Gary Pritchard~Giniw (Golden Eagle) is a Conservation Ecologist and Indigenous Engagement/Placemaking Specialist from Curve Lake First Nation, Ontario. Gary is the owner of the Four Directions of Conservation Consulting Services, and specializes in restoring aquatic systems, and other damaged habitats around Curve Lake First Nation and Hiawatha First Nation.

In this episode, Gary shares his journey into the world of Indigenous-led conservation, challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, and his hopes for the future of the Conservation through Reconciliation Partnership.

Stephanie Thorassie is a Land Advocate and Executive Director of the Seal River Watershed Initiative - an initiative led by the Sayisi Dene First Nation to protect the entirety of the Seal River watershed for our future generations in partnership with their Cree, Dene and Inuit neighbours.

A proud member of the Sayisi Dene First Nation, Stephanie is also a Mother, Hide Tanner, Caribou Eater, Esthetician, Award Winning Makeup Artist, Jewelry Creator, Vegetable Gardener, and Dog Lover.

Jared Gonet is a Taku River Tlingit Citizen with a deep connection, love and respect for lands and waters of the Yukon.

He is a Ph.D candidate at the University of Alberta and a member of the Biocultural Indicators and Outcomes Stream at the Conservation through Reconciliation Partnership.

Marina is the Manager of Indigenous Conservation, within Indigenous Affairs and Cultural Heritage Directorate at Parks Canada. She has found that establishing relationships within the Conservation through Reconciliation Partnership community has been a valuable opportunity for learning and reflecting along a shared journey of advancing Indigenous-led conservation.

Don shares how his connection with the various learning circles and groups within the CRP has helped to bring a diversity of voices, knowledge systems, and experiences to parks leadership training programs at the Canadian Parks Collective for Innovation and Leadership (CPCIL).

Justine tells us how professional relationships can be a bridge to strong, personal friendships. She shares a story of her six-day kayaking trip with colleague and friend Georgia-LLoyd Smith near Cortes Island (British Columbia).

We sat down with Nathan to explore his journey through various connections and collaborations with Indigenous communities to help them achieve their vision for land stewardship and conservation. (Photo credit: Nathan Cardinal)

The Community Connections series is a collection of short audio stories exploring the relationships at the heart of our work to support and elevate Indigenous-led conservation. Published bi-weekly, starting on March 29, 2022, you can listen to each episode directly from our website, or download to enjoy them at your leisure. Listen to the trailer episode here!