Sharing Knowledge about Ontario’s Breeding Birds

Two-Eyed Seeing and Ethical Space Training, March 2024 Photo: Mark Zelinski Photographic Design

​Plenty Canada’s Two-Eyed Seeing to Share Knowledge of Ontario’s Breeding Birds, in partnership with Ontario Nature, has entered its second full year of operation, with lots of community outreach along with Lands, Resources, and Environment department support happening throughout the year. In the spirit of Two-Eyed Seeing, great care is taken to ensure that Indigenous knowledge keepers and western science perspectives are equally represented at every event or activity.
 
Sharon Kimberley, the Indigenous Community Liaison, North, organized community events all over Northern Ontario.  Plenty Canada had a booth at Career Day in Webequie First Nation and did classroom talks about bird conservation and environment-focused careers. Birding talks, lunches, and nature walks were held with Northwestern Ontario Métis Child and Family Services in Fort Frances and Atikokan. It was a great privilege to be invited to and attend the Grand Council Treaty 3 Indigenous Residential Schools Survivor’s gathering, to talk about birding, the Atlas, and share the joy of observing nature outdoors.
 
Sharon travelled to Chapleau, Ontario to lead a bird monitoring workshop for Wahkohtowin Development GPI’s Land Guardians. Two Atlas Regional Coordinators and a Knowledge Keeper also participated. The Land Guardians learned how to use bird monitoring equipment and related apps then had an opportunity to do a trail walk and practice their skills in a real-world setting. In partnership with Atlas representatives, Sharon presented about bird monitoring and accessing Nature Count data at Wahkohtowin Development GPI’s Indigenous Land Symposium, with many interested participants dropping by the booth to learn more.
 
Emily Morris, project supervisor acting as the Indigenous Community Liaison, South, in partnership with Atlas representatives, organized a birding workshop at the Youth Summit for Mother Earth, with Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth from across Ontario. Birding resources were also provided at the Gidakiiminan E-Nakiijig Gathering hosted by Nin-Da-Waab-Jig (Walpole Island Heritage Centre) and Ontario Nature, with Indigenous Land Guardians from across southern Ontario.
 
Roughly 20 Indigenous participants from communities participating in the Two-Eyed Seeing project from across Ontario were supported to attend the Two-Eyed Seeing and Ethical Space Training conference held in March at the Gathering Place by the Grand in Six Nations of the Grand River.
 
The project has supported bird monitoring activities in Indigenous communities all across Ontario, including more than 17 First Nations, supplying more than 90 Autonomous Recording Units plus handheld recording units and binoculars. Training has been developed and delivered and ongoing support is being provided for data analysis.
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For the remainder of this year, attention has now shifted to focus on how to make the Atlas-3 products useful for Indigenous communities and how to include Indigenous Knowledge and Ways of Being in the Atlas-3 publication. Discussions and outreach are ongoing on this important topic. A gathering is planned in Sudbury, Ontario for January 2025 with attendees from First Nations across Northern Ontario and participants involved in bird monitoring and Atlas-3.

— Emily Morris & Sharon Kimberley