Traditional knowledge and plant ecology reflected in restoration website

Yukon College (YC) and Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in (TH) have launched a website that incorporates both traditional knowledge and plant ecology to support mine site restoration with local native plants.

The website includes a seed source map of the Coffee Creek area, as well as videos provided by Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in Elders. The map identifies the location of potential plant species that could be used for restoration, while the videos give a description of some of the traditional uses for plants found on-site.

This work was based upon an integrated research program where YC students learned about restoration challenges and techniques in a boreal environment, as well as traditional and restorative uses of different local native plants. The Northern Terrestrial Restoration course was offered to TH citizens this past summer through Yukon College’s Centre for Northern Innovation in Mining and the Yukon Research Centre. The course was offered in partnership with Yukon College, Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in, and Kaminak Gold Corporation at Coffee Creek, the late-stage exploration site of Kaminak Gold, on TH traditional territory.

“By integrating different forms of knowledge in our courses, students are given a rich educational experience that expands their understanding of the North”, said Dr. Karen Barnes, President and Vice Chancellor, Yukon College. “We are committed to sharing our research and results through products like this website, so that all Yukoners can benefit from this knowledge”.

During the course, TH Elders Angie Joseph-Rear and Julia Morberg led students on plant identification walks where they shared their knowledge with the students. Seven videos can be viewed on the website featuring: alder, birch bark, chamomile, highbush cranberry, parsnip, spruce tip, and yarrow.
“Dawson City is a mining area, and it’s good to work with botanists to combine our knowledge for the benefit of the students and for the reclamation work that mining companies need to do. The area is so rich in plant life and it’s good that our knowledge is being used. It’s a gift to pass on,” said TH Elder Angie Joseph-Rear.
  
TH Elder Julia Morberg says she would be happy to continue to share her knowledge.
“I’d like to help them more. If they need me, I’m there,”
said Julia.
TH Elder Julia Morberg discusses plant use with students.
The website was introduced this week at the Geoscience Forum by plant ecologist, Dr. Katherine Stewart. Stewart spoke about the integration of research and education to improve restoration success, based on her experience instructing the Northern Terrestrial Restoration course this past summer through the Yukon Research Centre.

More information on this project can be found on our website along with a 2 minute video on the course.

The seed source website was funded by the Natural Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada and Yukon College.