Athabasca Traditional Ecological Knowledge – Overview (May 2011)
The Athabasca Watershed Traditional Ecological Knowledge Overview provides preliminary background information on the aboriginal people and communities, who have traditional territories within the Athabasca watershed, and information and advice on the nature of Traditional Ecological Knowledge and the permitted use of TEK in the Final Athabasca SoW Report.
Watershed Outreach
The Athabasca Watershed Council is committed to engaging with sectors, groups and citizens who have an interest and concern for the future ecological health of the Athabasca Watershed. Watershed Outreach will include:
- Forums, workshops and meetings related to AWC-WPAC mandate
- Participation in stewardship, municipal and other education venues to further public awareness and education about the Athabasca Watershed
- Presentations and consultation as requested by watershed sectors, communities and groups
- Foundational consultation with the greater watershed in preparation for the Athabasca Watershed Management Plan
Key Issues in the Athabasca Watershed
During the preliminary research for the Athabasca State of the Watershed Report, an inventory of the key issues and concerns within the watershed was created. This inventory will continually be checked and updated with input from the AWC-WPAC membership, the general public, communities and sectors. This information provides an important foundation for the future Athabasca Integrated Management Plan process.
Projected Time Frame for work of the Athabasca Watershed Council
2009-2010
- November 2009 - Athabasca Watershed Council formed
- AWC-WPAC administrative foundation work completed to create sound base for the organization
- Initiate the Athabasca State of the Watershed Report – Phase 1 (Review of literature on the Athabasca Watershed)
- Initiate watershed community and sector outreach to Athabasca Watershed municipalities and Watershed Stewardship Groups
2011
- Continue Administrative foundation work for the AWC-WPAC to strengthen organization capacity
- Review the Athabasca State of the Watershed Report – Phase 1 and initiate research and development of the Athabasca State of
the Watershed Report - Phase 2 - Continue building relationships, partnerships and exchange of knowledge and information between the AWC-WPAC and the greater watershed community. Focus on continuation of relationships with Municipalities, Watershed Stewardship Groups and initiate outreach to aboriginal communities, leadership and people, and to industry operating in the watershed
- Prepare key building blocks for the Athabasca Integrated Management Plan process – understanding the watershed: who is doing what, what programs and initiatives are underway, what is the current state of concern about the health of the Athabasca watershed?
2012
- Athabasca State of the Watershed Report – Phase 2 completed. The Phase 2 Report is an online report with an interactive Atlas of the Athabasca Watershed
- Public Review and Consultation of the Athabasca State of the Watershed Report – public outreach throughout the Athabasca Watershed to further understanding of the risk and pressures associated with the Athabasca Watershed, and consultation on priorities for the Integrated Watershed Management Plan process
2013
- Athabasca State of the Watershed Report – Phase 3: Pending funding, research will continue to fill gaps in data and knowledge on key indicators of watershed health in the Athabasca Watershed.
- Athabasca State of the Watershed Report – Phase 3
- Athabasca Integrated Watershed Management Plan – Terms of Reference. Initiate work on key steps of engagement in the IWMP process, continue to build foundations of knowledge and understanding throughout the basin, encourage and work towards ideas for solutions through engagement with the greater watershed community
2014-2016
- Athabasca Integrated Watershed Management Plan (IWMP) initiated and in process. Ongoing assessment of watershed health continues, with updates to the State of the Watershed online report
