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Our Stories
Our people have stories to tell as stewards of our lands and waters for thousands of years. Together, we share, learn, and grow.


Bill 5 and Wahkohtowin: What’s Really at Risk
For the past two weeks, we’ve been sharing information about Bill 5, Ontario’s proposed “Protecting Ontario by Preserving Our Economy Act.” We felt it was important to help our communities, partners, and allies understand what this legislation means, not just in theory, but on the land and in people’s lives. In this post, we want to share clearly and concretely how Bill 5 affects Wahkohtowin's work and vision, from conservation and forestry to carbon management and community
2 days ago4 min read


Bill 5 Threatens Wildlife and Biodiversity Across Northern Ontario
Ontario’s Bill 5 fast-tracks industrial development at the expense of environmental safeguards and Indigenous rights. One of the most urgent and irreversible consequences of this legislation is its impact on wildlife, biodiversity, and the delicate ecosystems that sustain life in the North.
Jul 43 min read


Bill 5's Special Economic Zones: A Threat to Indigenous Lands, Laws, and the Environment
Ontario’s Bill 5, formally known as the Protecting Ontario by Enabling Economic Growth Act, 2025, introduces the power to create Special Economic Zones (SEZs) — areas where the Province can override environmental laws, Indigenous rights, and local governance to accelerate industrial development. At Wahkohtowin, we are deeply concerned by the scope and implications of this legislation. It poses a serious threat to Indigenous lands, cultures, and sovereignty — particularly in N
Jun 243 min read


Bill 5 Violates Treaty Relationships and Indigenous Sovereignty
For Indigenous Peoples, Treaties are not symbolic or historical—they are sacred, living agreements between Nations. hey represent a shared understanding of how we live together on the land: with mutual respect, shared stewardship, and a promise to honour each other’s rights and responsibilities.
Jun 202 min read


Bill 5 Breaks Our Relationship with the Land: Wahkohtowin’s Full Opposition
Wahkohtowin Development GP Inc. stands in full opposition to Bill 5 – Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act, 2025. This legislation endangers our rights, silences our voices, and threatens the lands and waters we hold sacred. It is a direct attack on Indigenous governance, knowledge, and kinship systems.
Jun 172 min read


Learning from the Land Bridge: Wahkohtowin at the A2A Science Symposium
This April, Wahkohtowin attended the Algonquin to Adirondacks (A2A) Science Symposium in Clayton, New York. Staff members Stevie, Carly, and Elena made the trip south to represent the organization and connect with conservation leaders from across the A2A bioregion, a landscape that stretches from Ontario’s Algonquin Park to New York’s Adirondack Mountains.
Jun 52 min read


Wahkohtowin Attends the Canadian Ecological Connectivity Conference in Banff
Wahkohtowin is pleased to welcome Tristan Flood as the new Guardian Conservation and Biodiversity Monitoring Coordinator. He is a member of Matachewan First Nation and brings a strong background in forestry.
May 222 min read


Ontario Professional Forester Association Article on Indigenous Rights in Forestry.
This article first ran in OPFA magazine in the Dec 2024 issue. It is reprinted on Wahkohtowins Blog. The original is posted here . Image...
Jan 227 min read


Wahkohtowin’s Guardians in Action: Supporting Herbicide Alternative Practices (HAP) in the Boreal Forest
....the Guardians selectively cut back shrubs and other plants that could hinder the growth of young trees.
Nov 20, 20243 min read


Wahkohtowin explores periphytometer tool in assessing forestry pesticide use.
" The Guardians are getting exposure to the tools and science to understand the deep effects of pesticide use on the health of our...
Nov 17, 20232 min read


Wahkohtowin's resident Project Forester attends CIF Conference in Nanaimo BC!
"Presenting at the Conference was a great experience and makes me proud of the work Wahkohtowin is doing in Ontario within the Indigenous...
Nov 13, 20232 min read


Mycorrhizae! A day in the life of a soil technician.
Wahkohtowin is leading the way employing new innovative technology using collaborative and synergistic approaches that work to sequester...
Jun 2, 20234 min read


The First Nations National Guardians Gathering 2023!!!
Wahkohtowin has had a Guardian program since 2020 and it continues to grow and expand taking on guardians with the aim of building lands...
May 18, 20232 min read


Climate Action & Indigenous-led Land Stewardship
Wahkohtowin Development is working at advancing the policy dialog with regards to land management practices and indigenous participation....
Apr 19, 20232 min read


Wahkohtowin's work on Moose Habitat protection presses forward.
Wahkohtowin has been working in the area of wildlife protection since its inception in 2016. Our Mitacs Intern, Elena McCulloch, shares...
Apr 4, 20235 min read


FSC Partners with Wahkohtowin to raise awareness about Indigenous Rights in Forest Management.
Wahkohtowin partnered with FSC in an effort to raise the awareness of how FSC is working to uphold indigenous rights in forestry. “Part...
Mar 6, 20234 min read


Wahkohtowin represents Northern Ontario Communities at FSC International in Bali.
Wahkohtowin attended the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) conference in Bali to represent the interests of Indigenous communities in...
Jan 26, 20232 min read
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