Yellowknife Geoscience Forum

The Marian River drainage basin is a culturally and historically significant area to the Tłı̨chǫ people. To assist with the protection of aquatic resources in the drainage basin, the Marian Watershed Stewardship Program (MWSP) was created in September 2013. Directed by the Tłı̨chǫ Government Department of Culture and Lands Protection, the MWSP has included participation and support by the Wekʼèezhìı Land and Water Board, Wekʼèezhìı Renewable Resources Board, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and Wilfrid Laurier University. The monitoring design is based on annual monitoring completed from a camp that rotates across four different areas of significance to the Tłı̨chǫ community: Marian Lake, Marian River, Hislop Lake, and Shoti Lake.  The data is particularly relevant considering the construction of the Tłı̨chǫ All-Season Road to Whatì, which may soon lead to the development of the NICO Project and other major projects in the region. In addition to collecting baseline data, the monitoring program provides opportunities for training for youth and useful dialogue between scientists and traditional knowledge holders on the status of the aquatic ecosystem. We present a brief overview of the aquatic studies completed to date, including a preliminary summary of fish tissue chemistry data collected on Lake Whitefish and Northern Pike populations.