Event Featuring Indigenous-led Conservation at United Nations 2023 Water Conference
February 28, 2023
The Seal River Watershed Alliance is proud to work with partners to present at the United Nations 2023 Water Conference in New York City from March 22-24. We will be participating in the following side event:
Indigenous-led conservation for the health of water ecosystems in Canada and the world
March 22 from 6:30 to 7:45 EDT
UN Headquarters Side Event Room 6
Through a storytelling format, this event will focus on Indigenous-led stewardship—including examples of the Seal River Watershed Indigenous Protected Area and the Magpie River—as well as advancing reconciliation in science and research activities.
The event is organized by Environment and Climate Change Canada and will feature the Seal River Watershed Alliance, the Innu Council of Ekuanitshit, the International Institute for Sustainable Development, Canadian Parks & Wilderness Society, Ducks Unlimited Canada, the International Observatory on Nature’s Rights, and Regional County Municipality of Minganie.
Event Speakers
The proposed Seal River Watershed Indigenous Protected Area.
Stephanie Thorassie (SRWA)
Stephanie Thorassie is a member of the Sayisi Dene First Nation from Tadoule Lake, Manitoba, and is honoured to work on behalf of her community. Before becoming executive director of the Seal River Watershed Alliance, Stephanie served as the Director of Operations.
The Government of Canada’s relocation of the Sayisi Dene in the 1950s revealed the trauma that occurs when Dene people can’t practice their laws and be authentically themselves. A strong relationship with the land helps people heal and thrive, and Stephanie is humbled to be a part of sustaining connections to the land, culture, and caribou. She is committed to showcasing Indigenous knowledge and leadership on the land and creating opportunities for Indigenous youth to succeed in their communities.
Stephanie has a degree from the University of Manitoba, as well as a legal assistant diploma from Red River College. She is a student of her Dene language, hide tanner, jewelry maker, and caribou eater. She is also an avid gardener, growing bountiful harvests she shares with friends and family. Stephanie lives in Winnipeg with her partner and daughter and also lives part time in her community of Tadoule Lake.
Jean-Charles Piétacho (Innu Council of Ekuanitshit)
Chief Piétacho has been a member of the Innu Council of Ekuanitshit since 1975, when he was an education liaison officer and looked after students attending provincial schools. From 1979 to 1991 he held the position of General Manager of the Innu Council, before being elected Chief in September 1991 and re-elected in September 2021. Since 1991, he has therefore represented the Innu of Ekuanitshit, maintaining well-defined relations with the federal and provincial governments, granting public interviews; chairing and participating in meetings in the public, private, administrative and corporate spheres at the community, national and international levels.
Judy Wilson (AFN)
Judy Wilson is a long serving Indigenous political leader in Canada that has been at the forefront on many tables pushing back on paternalistic and unilateral legislation and policies forced onto Indigenous Nations and is working on rectifying the displacement, dispossession and oppression caused by the colonial doctrine of discovery. She is a fierce advocate for the recognition of inherent Title and Rights and the assertion of Indigenous jurisdiction and stewardship over their lands, waters, and resources. Standing up against exploitative and dangerous resource extraction projects that threaten irreplaceable biodiversity and wildlife, she firmly believes in adhering to the principles of sustainability, conservation, and reconciliation in order to protect sacred waters, lands, fish, animals, and traditional ways for generations to come. For over 25 years, she has also been a staunch advocate for Indigenous women and girls, participating in provincial, national, and international forums to raise awareness of the systemic violence in Canada that continues to disproportionately affect and tear apart Indigenous families and communities.
Ms. Wilson served her community and the Neskonlith Indian Band for over 16 years as Chief and for 8 years as a Council member. Current committees and boards include; Circle of Expert/Proxy Delegate for various Assembly of First Nations Committees and sectors, Global Indigenous Council, Rural BC Centre, MMIWG2S Vancouver Coalition & House of the Moon and internationally she has led many national and provincial delegations to COP 26, 27, and delegation member to United Nations Forums in Geneva and New York. Including the upcoming UN World Water Conference in 2023.
As Chief she formerly served on several Assembly of First Nations Chief’s Committee (Lands, Terrtories & Resources, Climate Change Committee, Child & Family Chiefs Committee), Union of BC Indian Chiefs Executive as Secretary-Treasurer, First Nations Leadership Council, BC Canada Tripartite Children & Family Working Group, Provincial Joint Core Working Group (Commitment Document), BC Specific Claims Working Group, BC Small Business Roundtable Advisory. And previously the BC All Chiefs Task Force, First Nations Child & Family Wellness Council, First Nations Technology Council, and the Secwépemc Cultural Education Society.
Dakota Patterson (SRWA)
Dakota is currently a student attending the University of Winnipeg since 2021 studying political science. She is planning on working in a field where she is able to advocate and help a community through her line of work. Dakota grew up in the city of Winnipeg but come from the reserves of Lac Brochet, Manitoba with the Dene people and Lake Andes with the Ihanktowan people in South Dakota.
Dr. Myrle Ballard (ECCC)
Dr. Myrle Ballard is the Director of the new Indigenous Science Division at ECCC and an Assistant Professor and Indigenous Scholar in the Dept. of Chemistry at the University of Manitoba. Anishnaabe from Lake St. Martin First Nation, Dr. Ballard’s latest research explores how her fluency in Anishinaabe mowin can transform approaches to water resource management using baseline monitors. Dr. Ballard also serves on a number of committees and currently holds prestigious NSERC (Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada) and CIHR (Canadian Institutes for Health Research) grants. Her other research interests include but are not limited to climate, species at risk, sustainability and the politics of flooding/displacement. You can check out more about the division here: and more about Dr. Ballard here.
Terry Duguid Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change (ECCC)
Terry Duguid was first elected as the Member of Parliament for Winnipeg South in 2015. Mr. Duguid has previously served as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages (Western Economic Diversification Canada) and to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change (Canada Water Agency), Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Women and Gender Equality, and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development.
With a diverse background in civic government, business, and environmental leadership, Mr. Duguid has shown a strong commitment to public service throughout his career. In 1997, he founded Sustainable Developments International, a firm specializing in environmental management, sustainable development, transportation, and international affairs consulting. In 2000, he was named Chairman of the Manitoba Clean Environment Commission, and, in 2004, he became President and CEO of the International Centre for Infectious Diseases, a non-profit research organization he helped to create.
In addition to his professional career, Mr. Duguid has devoted considerable time and effort to his community. He served as Executive Director of the Manitoba Climate Change Task Force in 2001, as Chair of the Nature Task Force in 2003, and as a member of the Manitoba Emissions Trading Task Force in 2004.
Mr. Duguid has a lifelong interest in science and its role in the betterment of society. He earned first-class honours while obtaining his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Carleton University. He also holds a Master in Environmental Design from the University of Calgary, with a focus on tackling the crucial issues of water quality, ozone depletion, and acid rain.
Luc Noël (Minganie)
Luc Noël has been prefect of the MRC de Minganie in Quebec, Canada for 9 and a half years now. He is currently in his third term. Luc began his public career as a union representative for the Steelworkers union for 32 years. During this term, he chaired for two 3-year terms, the Côte-Nord regional labor council.
In addition, for 10 years, he was president of the Middle North Shore school board and president of the association of the four school boards of the entire North Shore. To complete his professional experience, Mr. Noël was responsible for the Centraide Minganie campaign for 12 years.
Ron Thiessen (CPAWS)
Ron Thiessen is Executive Director of the Manitoba chapter of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society. Born and raised in Manitoba, Canada, Ron has been instrumental in establishing 23 parks and protected spaces for nature in Manitoba.
Marina Puzyreva (IISD)
Marina Puzyreva is a Policy Advisor with the Water Program at the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD). With a strong background in economics and public policy, Marina is investigating a business case for nature-based solutions for water outcomes and their co-benefits. She is also working with several First Nations and Indigenous organizations in Canada to expand our understanding of value in policymaking and develop a collaborative approach to managing and protecting our waters. Marina led a study on ecosystem good and services valuation for the Seal River Watershed Indigenous Protected Area (IPA) Initiative in Canada and continues assisting similar initiatives with economic and policy research.
Kevin Smith (DUC)
Kevin Smith is the National Manager Boreal Program for Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC). He has a Bachelor of Science from Cornell University, and a Masters of Environmental Management from Duke University with a focus on landscape ecology. After graduation, Kevin launched his career working for a remote sensing firm in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he gained experience using satellites to map wetlands. This eventually led to a position with Ducks Unlimited in California, where he expanded wetland mapping products to the boreal regions of Canada. This experience gave him a deep appreciation for the boreal forest, and ultimately led to a secondment to Canada to work for Ducks Unlimited Canada, working to advance conservation across the vast boreal forest expanse. For the past 11 years, Kevin has been managing the National Boreal Program for Ducks Unlimited Canada, which collaborates with partners to develop and implement innovative nature-based solutions that advance mutual conservation goals by: supporting Indigenous-led conservation; establishing local conservation-based economies; helping businesses to meet and exceed Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals; and walking on a pathway towards reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples.
