The State of Biodiversity on the Saugeen Peninsula
and Beyond
We would like to invite you to the 2023 Forum themed on biodiversity. We feel that the timing is right following the United Nations Convention of the Parties on biodiversity meetings in Montreal in December, 2022. By all accounts, Canada played a leading role in forging the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, committing countries to protect 30 per cent of land and oceans by 2030, recognizing Indigenous leadership as a central pillar of achieving these goals and reaffirming Indigenous Peoples’ right to free, prior and informed consent to development projects taking place on their territories. It includes a call for rich countries to support poorer countries with US$200 billion to protect nature by 2030, including $20 billion per year between now and 2025 and $30 billion per year after that until the end of the decade.
Why is this important? Biodiversity is the variety of all living things on this planet, from bats to cattails, bears to humans, caribou to orchids. There are millions of plant, animal, insect, bacteria and fungi species that make up life on Earth, and each one has a part to play in helping ecosystems thrive. But this precious biodiversity is under serious threat. Over the last half-century or so, the number of animals on Earth has dropped by half. Up to one million species are currently on the brink of extinction, some within decades or earlier. Scientists say we’re seeing the sixth mass extinction on our planet, the first to be caused entirely by one species – us.
In gathering at the Parks Canada Visitor Centre for the April 2023 Forum, we have several learning and action objectives:
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- Learn about biodiversity and the importance of the United Nations COP15 agreement.
- Situate Indigenous conservation leadership as central; as Minister Guilbeault says, “By coupling Indigenous and Western science, we can fight the twin crises of climate change and biodiversity loss, strengthen our relationships with Indigenous communities, and build a better future for everyone.”
- Examine how important the Saugeen Peninsula is to Great Lakes-wide biodiversity, hear about important efforts by government and local groups, and learn how you can take action.
- Apply critical thinking skills by considering contradictions in what governments say and actually do. While Canada was announcing funding to support Indigenous conservation during COP15, they were also announcing plans to fast-track environmental assessments for ‘Ring of Fire’ mineral mining projects in Ontario’s boreal forest, home to dozens of Indigenous Nations and critical caribou habitat.
Stay tuned for more information about the Forum program here and in the upcoming editions of the Bruce Peninsula Press. But, as a teaser, we are excited to announce that we will be showing the new film: The Issue with Tissue, A Boreal Love Story with Director Michael Zelniker.
The program and registration process will be officially launched in late January. Look for a brand-new section on biodiversity providing you with a learning primer to enhance your participation.
See you soon!
Accounting for the Past, Envisioning the Future: A Seven Generations Based Framework for the Bruce Peninsula
Speakers
Dr. Deborah McGregor
James S. Quinn (Jim): is a professor of biology at McMaster University. He teaches conservation biology, molecular ecology, and behavioural ecology as well as a first year course called “Biodiversity, Evolution, and Humanity”.
Alan Corbiere
Alan Ojiig Corbiere, Bne doodemid (Ruffed Grouse clan): is an Anishinaabe from M’Chigeeng First Nation on Manitoulin Island. He was educated on the reserve and then attended the University of Toronto for a Bachelor of Science, he then entered York University and earned his Masters of Environmental Studies.
Dr. Deborah McGregor
Deborah McGregor: Associate Professor & Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Environmental Justice, York University, Osgoode Hall Law School and Faculty of Environmental Studies TOPIC: Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Environmental Futures
Dr. John Borrows
Dr. John Borrows: Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Law, University of Victoria and citizen of the Chippewas of the Nawash First Nation TOPIC: Learning From The Land: Understanding Anishinaabe Law on the Saugeen Peninsula
Dr. Dan Longboat
Dr. Dan Longboat: Director, Indigenous Studies and Science, Trent University Topic: Seven Generations Thinking: Understanding the Future By Remembering the Past
Nathan Tidridge
Nathan Tidridge: Teacher of History and Government, Waterdown High School Topic: The Queen as Treaty Partner The Crown’s Role in Reconciliation
Kit Worzel
Kit Worzel: is a dynamic young futurist with a focus on science and technology. His experience in the field, both at Roswell Park Cancer Institute and the University of Guelph have given him strong insight into trends in science, and being a favored guest on InnerSpace on the Space network keeps him sharp and on top of his game.
Peoples of The Great Arc: Two Ways of Knowing
A presentation and discussion of the implications of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada report for the residents of the Bruce Peninsula was the feature of the Sunday morning final session of the 2016 Sources of Knowledge Forum. Special Speaker: Chief Vernon Roote, Saugeen First Nation.
