Celebration of Relationships: Bineshiinyag, Anishinaabeg miinawaa miijim

Event Details

• Saturday, February 28, 2026
  9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
  

The Celebration of Relationships event will be a full day interactive gathering planned for February 28, 2026 at Trent University. The intention of this gathering is to highlight and embody the intersection of Indigenous Knowledges and western science associated with birds, and the relationship of birds with humans and foodways. The gathering will be centered around two keynote presentations: Joe Pitawanakwat, Anishinaabe Knowledge Holder and Director of Creators Garden, and Dr. Grant Gilchrist of Carleton University and the Northern Conservation Division National Wildlife Research Centre. Pitawanakwat will share Anishinaabe Knowledges of Great Lakes Basin birds, stories and teachings embedded within bird names in Anishinaabemowin. Gilchrist will speak about his research including original studies of arctic sea ducks and pelagic seabirds in Canada and Greenland for the conservation and management of these species, as well as the harvesting of marine bird species for sustenance by Indigenous Peoples.  

In addition to the keynotes, workshops and birding walks are planned. Birding walks will be led by members of the Peterborough Field Naturalists (PFN) and Trent University Graduate students. Workshops, facilitated by Anishinaabe Knowledge Holders, ornithologists and Trent graduate students, will showcase the various themes presented in the keynote addresses, with a focus on birds’ habitats and adaptations, Anishinaabe storytelling and teachings, as well as interconnections to Anishinaabe foodways. A lunch, catered by a local Indigenous chef, will feature dishes connected to the various themes explored throughout the event. In addition, we are working with the Indigenous Performance program (Chanie Wenjack School for Indigenous Studies) to include an evening performance in Nozhem Theatre. 

Goals of the event include:

1) the development of meaningful relationships and network building that have potential to yield direct conservation efforts; and 2) the dissemination of knowledges to academic and non-academic communities in an inclusive, accessible manner.

We anticipate that the event will cultivate dialogue between community members, Trent University, and local conservation groups that actively work toward avian conservation. Specifically, we aim to emphasize bird-safe practices that can be initiated both on an individual and community level basis (bird-safe building design, habitat restoration, etc) through the exchange of knowledge systems. By fostering stronger community ties, the gathering is intended to highlight and inspire actions that will promote future conservation efforts.

Contact Info

Megan Heft: meganheft@trentu.ca

Barbara Wall: bwall@trentu.ca