Yenchehk Forum in Wendake: a third gathering for the caribou under the theme of solidarity

Press Release

March 4 2026

On February 24 and 25, Wendake welcomed the Yenchehk Forum. An event we organized to bring together First Nations and Indigenous organizations for the protection of caribou. In total, nearly 40 participants from various organizations and 16 communities were in attendance.

This forum, whose primary objective is to create a space for dialogue and sharing, once again demonstrated the strength of Indigenous leadership. The richness of the exchanges and the generosity of the participants nourished the spirit of sharing that is essential to continue moving forward together toward the conservation of caribou for the next seven generations. One conviction clearly emerged from these two days: First Nations must be involved in all decisions that concerns the territory.

Discussions covered a variety of themes, including:

• Ongoing First Nations projects for knowledge acquisition and caribou protection
• The challenges First Nations face in protecting caribou
• The relationship between the protection of land and species and the protection of Indigenous rights
• Collaboration with regional biologists from the Ministry of the Environment and the Fight Against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks (MELCCFP)
• The development of a management plan
• Cultural sharing from different caribou peoples

About the Caribou Forum

The Caribou Forum is a biennial gathering that brings together First Nations and Indigenous organizations to discuss the challenges and solutions related to the protection and recovery of caribou. It is a valuable opportunity for knowledge sharing and the strengthening of inter-community collaboration. The first edition took place in June 2022 in Amos, organized by the Abitibiwinni First Nation. In June 2023, we took over to organize the second edition with the host community of Essipit. This year marked the third edition. The name of the forum evolves from one edition to the next, reflecting the language of the host First Nation.

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank all participants for their presence and contributions.

A special thank you to the presenters:

• Kathleen Andrée – Innu Knowledge Keeper
• Kathleen Goulet – Consultation and Accommodation Coordinator, Conseil de la Première Nation des Innus Essipit
• Micha Jam – Anthropologist, Conseil de la Nation Wendat
• Jimmy Papatie – Director of Natural Resources Department, Conseil des Anicinapek de Kitcisakik
• Jeanne Moisan Perrier – Project Coordinator, Conseil de la Nation Wendat
• Jérôme Plourde – Biologist, Wildlife Management Branch, Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, MELCCFP
• Marjolaine McKenzie – Climate Change Project Leader, FNQLSDI

Thank you to Solaine Prince, Indigenous Affairs Advisor, and Alexis Brodeur, Biologist, both from the MELCCFP for their participation in our collaboration workshop.

Tiawenhk to Marcel Godbout, Elder of Wendake, for the opening and closing ceremonies.

Tiawenhk to Grand Chief Pierre Picard of the Wendat Nation for his welcoming remarks, which set the tone and launched the discussions.

Thank you to Marie-Ève D’amour, graphic designer, for the graphic facilitation throughout the event.

This forum was funded by the Species at Risk Act – Cooperation, Consultation and Accommodation program, a partnership between the Canadian Indigenous Centre for Environmental Resources (CIER) and Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC).

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