Spirit Statement

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Wachiy (Aanin), 
 

My spirit and kinship come from Taykwa Tagamou First Nation and James Bay. I am Swampy-Moose Cree. 

Like the old ways of the Cree, I consider myself a modern-day nomad always travelling across indigenous lands. I’ve lived in various regions across Ontario, Moosonee, Timmins, Thunder Bay, Ottawa and the North Kawarthas.

I moved for post-secondary studies to focus on Ecosystem Management and Indigenous Environmental Sciences. Even though I still travel across the Province to visit our homelands and to attend gatherings,. I’ve chosen to settle in North Kawarthas with my partner where we are currently raising our two little ones.  
 

From a young age, I’ve always had a deep love for the land and all that it provides—whether it was berry picking with my grandparents or spending summer days fishing with my family. Or just being out on the land just living in the way that we knew. Being far from my original homelands of Taykwa Tagamou, —I found that I was building my own community.   
 

I’ve always known in my heart and spirit that I want to work for the betterment of our People and for the generations yet to come. What I hope to share is my environmental and traditional knowledge. I carry a strong background in environmental research, environmental monitoring, and understanding Indigenous relationships with the land, its peoples, and its spirit.

I’ve worked in various roles across the field—from turtle conservation to environmental monitoring, to traditional and cultural studies in my own community in Cree territory. I’ve assisted in land-based knowledge through seed collecting, species identification, and traditional medicine collecting. Through a mixture of western science and Indigenous Perspective, I aim to continue caring for and giving back to the land in a good way.

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Bio

Adrianne Sutherland-Gagnon is an environmental professional and Indigenous community advocate with a foundation in traditional land studies, environmental fieldwork, and cultural engagement.  She brings an Indigenous, land-based and perspective to science communication and community-driven projects. 
 

Adrianne has diverse experience across environmental coordination, field research, and Indigenous relations. She has worked in roles ranging from environmental internships with Taykwa Tagamou Nation and conservation research with species at risk. She has hands-on skills in wildlife handling, data collection, and traditional ecological knowledge. Adrianne has extensive knowledge in environmental monitoring of water, air and soil quality and biological sampling of species of interest. She also holds knowledge in ecosystem management and environmental studies.
 

Adrianne has completed the Indigenous Advancement of Cultural Entrepreneurship Certificate through the University of Victoria. Recognized for her leadership, she received the Indigenous Student Leadership Award and has served as both an Indigenous Student Ambassador and Mentor at Fleming College. 
 

Driven by a passion for community empowerment, environmental stewardship, and cultural revitalization, Adrianne combines academic knowledge, technical field skills, and Indigenous worldviews to support meaningful and inclusive environmental initiatives.​

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Education Highlights

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-- Trent University – Foundations of Indigenous Learning - Ongoing 

University of Victoria - 2023 Indigenous Advancement of Cultural Entrepreneurship --​​​​​​

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Work Experience

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--  Junior Turtle Conservation Technician, Indigenous Land Trust Assistant, & Land Stories Researcher  Environmental Coordinator - Taykwa Tagamou First Nation Indigenous Environmental Intern

- Taykwa Tagamou First Nation, Kirkland Lake Mine  

- Fleming College, Indigenous Student Services - Indigenous Student Ambassador and Bishkaa - Mentor Environmental Monitor Intern, Detour Lake Gold  --​​​​

 

Contact Adrianne