Community-based monitoring and data sovereignty in Poplar River First Nation

Working in support of research and education through the mobilization of science for evidence-based decision making, the Canadian Watershed Information Network (CanWIN) is an invaluable data hub operated by members of the University of Manitoba’s Centre for Earth Observation Science (CEOS), a research unit in the Clayton H. Riddell Faculty of Environment, Earth, and Resources.

Tijana Aluloska and Aiden Hindmarch, both undergraduate students working for CanWIN, recently traveled to Poplar River First Nation to meet with local Land Guardians Owen Bear and Seth Franklin, who operate a water quality monitoring program that has been active since 2018. The purpose of the students’ visit was to provide the Land Guardians with an alternative way of gathering water quality data by going through existing sampling sites, and to introduce new tools that would allow the community to expand their monitoring independently.

Poplar River lies within Pimachiowin Aki, which was officially inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2018. Pimachiowin Aki means “the Land that Gives Life” in Anishinaabemowin, an Ojibwe language, a name reflecting more than just the natural biotic and abiotic resources that the land has to offer. Traditionally, the water and everything that lay beneath it matters and carries teachings, life, and spirit, thus creating a shared web of care and responsibility. The elders of Poplar River and Pimachiowin Aki also believe in the importance of understanding Western scientific methods, water-quality testing, and environmental monitoring, as these methods ensure the protection and stewardship of Pimachiowin Aki.

The group’s day began with a quick overview of their plan before Owen and Seth guided them through five sampling locations: two in the bay, one at the river’s mouth, one near the community’s lagoon discharge, and one upstream before the rapids. All of these sites had been previously used for monitoring, providing valuable baseline data that the team could build on while testing new sampling methods. One of these methods was eDNA sampling, which uses DNA left behind in water to help with the early detection of certain changes, like the presence of invasive species that could establish in lakes. 

The field trip served as hands-on training for Owen and Seth as well. They quickly learned the new sampling techniques from Tijana and Aiden, logging measurements and recording observations. Owen said “the work was interesting and much easier than what we’ve done before”, while Seth added that “I enjoyed learning alongside the students and am excited to keep practicing these methods on our own”. 

A key part of this collaboration was reaffirming data sovereignty. All the data collected through the community-based monitoring program will remain under complete ownership and control of Poplar River First Nation. By combining traditional teachings, land-based knowledge, and Western scientific methods, the community continues to protect the waterways of Poplar River First Nation.

Ray Rabliauskas, the Traditional Lands/Lands Program Coordinator at Poplar River First Nation, had the following to say about the program:

“Our community is grateful to be part of the Lake Winnipeg Collaborative Knowledge Mobilization Project. 

For thousands of years the people of Poplar River have protected and cared for the lands, waters and all life within their Traditional Territory. They were given that responsibility from our Creator. 

A few years ago, our Elders reminded us of the responsibility we were given for several years now, we have prioritized the importance of monitoring the health of the water in Lake Winnipeg and the Poplar River and all the life that depends on this water.

We have recognized the importance of our youth and Elders working together with scientists to ensure we have the best Knowledge available. We understand the importance of building the capacity of our Land Guardians to carry out this work on their own. We are working towards having the ability to collect, record, and manage our own data. 

Last October our Guardians worked with two grad students and a student from Poplar River. The students passed their knowledge to our Guardians and provided hands on training collecting and managing several water samples from the lake and river. 

We need to continue to collect data. This information will give us the ability to make good decisions for the future.”