Learn how science and Indigenous Knowledge are coming together to protect core habitat in the Yellowstone to Yukon region

The Alberta Alpine Club presents its May Social on May 21, 2024 in Calgary, AB at 7:30 pm MT. Join Y2Y’s Nicole Olivier and Dayna Big-Plume alongside Mr. Elliot Fox from the Blackfoot Confederacy for an evening of good company and conversation on the topic of Indigenous-led Environmental Conservation.

Discover what the Landscape Protection Team at Y2Y is doing to to help meet Canada’s 2030 biodiversity goals, and the role of Indigenous-led conservation in contributing to a connected and protected future for both people and nature.

This free event will feature a speaker panel, and a Q&A segment. Food and beverage is available for purchase.

Featured speakers:

• Nicole Olivier, Manager of Landscape Protection, Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative
  • Nicole is a member of the Ojibway First Nation of Fort William outside Thunder Bay, Ontario. Nicole brings with her over 24 years of experience supporting all phases of clinical and community-based research at the University of Alberta. Nicole’s experience in bringing diverse groups together, coordinating knowledge exchange and facilitating the role of communities as partners in decision making through the use of the IAP2 Spectrum of Engagement and ethical space, as well as her expertise as a project manager and trainer will be a major asset in Y2Y’s work to support Indigenous-led conservation.
• Dayna Big-Plume, Landscape Protection and Highway Connectivity Co-ordinator, Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative
  • Dayna is Indigenous and deeply rooted in her culture and traditional knowledge. She has lineage from the Tsuut’ina (Dene), Rocky Boy (Chippewa Cree), and the Aamskapi Pikuni (Blackfeet) Nations. Dayna grew up in both Alberta, Canada and Montana, USA. With an academic background in communications and experience in public relations, multimedia, and project management, Dayna has served her Indigenous First Nation and surrounding communities to connect and cultivate strong relationships. With a family with a background in conservation, she has a passion for conserving our environment. Dayna believes Indigenous-led conservation, sustainability, eco-balance, and environmental sciences are imperative areas of expertise that are vital for our future ecosystems.
• Elliot Fox, Project Manager – Environmental Protection and Conservation, Blackfoot Confederacy
  • Makoyoohkinnii, Elliot Fox is a member of the Kainai (Blood Tribe) First Nation of the Blackfoot Confederacy and will talk about what the Blackfoot are doing to strengthen their relationships to their traditional Blackfoot Territory lands and waters in the Alberta east slopes, while leading conservation efforts to inform local and regional land use policies and prioritize conservation and restoration actions to elevate their traditional rights and role in land use management.