Dr. Donna Hurlburt
Donna is a Mi’kmaw ecologist and conservation biologist from Lequille, Nova Scotia. She is a member of Acadia First Nation, but resides off-reserve on her traditional ancestral homelands. She holds a Ph.D. in Environmental Biology and Ecology from University of Alberta, which was followed by a Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) industrial post-doctoral fellowship with Bowater Mersey Paper Company. She also holds a B.Sc. (Agriculture) from Dalhousie University and a M.Sc. in Biology from Acadia University. She was previously a Visiting Professor in Biology at Acadia University and is currently employed there part-time as an Aboriginal Student Advisor.
Donna owns and manages a small consulting firm that specializes in the integration of Aboriginal Traditional Knowledge (ATK) and scientific knowledge in environmental decision‑making, in citizen engagement in policy development, and in strictly scientific pursuits in Species at Risk monitoring and recovery. Donna is also a member of the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) and a Co-chair of their ATK Subcommittee.
Kathy Hodgson-Smith
Kathy L. Hodgson-Smith is a Saskatoon lawyer who practices criminal and Aboriginal law, as well as on behalf of the Métis Legal Research and Education Foundation. She has litigated in all levels of court including the Provincial Court and Court of Queen’s Bench in Saskatchewan, the Courts of Appeal in Saskatchewan and Alberta, the Federal Court of Appeal, and as co‑counsel at the Supreme Court of Canada.
Internationally, she also represents the Métis National Council at the United Nations World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Committee on the Protection of Indigenous Traditional Knowledge and Genetic Resources, and on the working groups and Canadian delegation under the Convention on Biological Diversity.
Kathy has a Master of Education in the area of Aboriginal pedagogy. She has researched and presented on Métis Aboriginal rights law and traditional knowledge at local, provincial, national, and international forums. She has also conducted research for the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples, the Canadian Education Association and the Canada Council on Learning.
Leah Muckpah
Leah Manik Muckpah is proud to call Arviat home where she fulfills her passion for wildlife and environmental management. During her time as manager for the Arviat Hunters and Trappers Organization, she collected Inuit Qauyimayatuqangit (Inuit Traditional Knowledge) on the Western Hudson Bay polar bear. In addition, she managed other independent projects, collected wildlife samples, reviewed Wildlife Research Permits, interacted with co‑management partners, and responded to questions, comments, and concerns from her community.
As current regional coordinator for the Kivalliq Wildlife Board, Leah has worked with the seven hunters and trappers organizations of the Kivalliq region and interacts directly with co‑management wildlife/environment departments, various levels of government and other not‑for-profit organizations and universities. Her primary responsibility is representing Nunavut Beneficiaries and to ensure Inuit Qauyimayatuqangit is being applied to wildlife and environmental management plans in Nunavut, as set out in the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement. Leah is grateful that her passion for protecting Inuit rights to harvesting wildlife sustainably and protecting them is so central to her work.
Melissa Hotain
Melissa has a background in environmental studies and lands management and has spent 10 years working in policy analysis for the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) on First Nations environmental and legislation issues. While working for AMC, she was responsible for research, planning, policy analysis and strategic development on a comprehensive range of matters related to the environment and First Nation matters. She has participated in various regional, national and international committees related to land, water and environmental issues.
Melissa is a strong advocate and provides teachings on the interconnection between the health and well-being of the people and Mother Earth. She has been honoured to work with and for First Nations people for a united purpose of protecting Mother Earth. Melissa’s goal for First Nations is to revitalize and apply the traditional origins and knowledge when developing sustainable environmental plans for the future. She encourages planning and decisions based on the Dakota Seven Generations concept which demonstrates the philosophy of assessing actions and decisions based on the health and well-being of our future generations.
Norman Sterriah
Norman Sterriah is currently the Traditional Knowledge Coordinator for the Ross River Dena Council. In this role, Norman is responsible for coordinating the collection, management and sharing of Traditional Knowledge, as well as providing advice on land and heritage issues. In his capacity as program coordinator, Norman has overseen the development of a Dena Land Use Plan, an Ethno-botany study, a fish study, a study of caribou key habitats, and the documentation of Dena Traditional Laws. Norman has also been involved in mining reform and forest management planning for the Ross River traditional territory.
Norman brings a Dena perspective on ecosystem function and resilience, including a holistic and long-term view of ecological change. His Dena worldview also provides a foundation for understanding biodiversity, the sustainable use of the plants, animals, and water, and the implications of climate change. Norman also brings useful experience on how Traditional Knowledge and science can be brought together in providing a more comprehensive assessment of environmental function and change.
