The Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority (NPCA) is honoured to partner with the 4th Annual Celebration of Nations taking place September 11 to 13, hosted by the First Ontario Performing Arts Centre.
The theme of the cultural gathering this year is ‘The Mighty Niagara and the Great Lakes Watershed’, highlighting the powerful life-giving force of water, and the need to practice responsible stewardship of the region's environment, . Dozens of creeks and rivers serving as tributaries to Lakes Erie and Ontario have, over millennia, created the conditions for sustaining hundreds of generations of human societies, reaching back to the Indigenous peoples who first explored and inhabited the peninsula some 13,000 years ago.
“Our work focuses on the health of the Niagara Peninsula watershed, the sustainability of water resources and the protection of conservation lands and natural heritage,” says Chandra Sharma, CAO/Secretary-Treasurer at NPCA. “We are honoured to be part of this incredible platform that will help build awareness and provide opportunities for collaboration towards long-term solutions for a sustainable future.”
The annual Indigenous arts gathering in Niagara celebrates creativity, diversity and resilience, and this year it will feature virtual live streams, teachings, workshops and more. “Celebration of Nations is an opportunity for national and international visitors to actively participate in an inclusive and engaging community gathering,” says Artistic Director Michele-Elise Burnett, “We hope this event can create a greater sense of belonging, support meaningful reconciliation, and leave a lasting legacy of goodwill for future generations.”
Members of the community and visitors alike are invited to join the NPCA virtually, on September 12 from 10:30 to 11 a.m. for the ‘Conservation in Niagara: How to Help Our Native Pollinators Workshop’ presented by Kerry Royer, Community Outreach and Volunteer Coordinator. In Niagara, pollinators provide essential ecosystem services to many plants and animals and are also vitally important to food production, agriculture, and the economy. Through this workshop, guests will learn that everyone can play a role in helping native bees, butterflies, and other insects by restoring habitat in backyards, business properties, parks and even balconies. They will learn how to create a native garden and how to choose the right plants that are ecologically significant and locally sourced to ensure they hold the highest value to local pollinators.
On September 13, from 2-3 p.m., experts in environment, culture, and heritage will provide a range of knowledge and experiences during the ‘Environmental and Cultural Stewardship Panel Discussion, presented by Niagara Parks and the NPCA’s Niagara River Remedial Action Plan. Panelists will review several projects in the Niagara River corridor that include Indigenous connections through the Landscape of Nations Commemorative Memorial, the pollinator corridor, shoreline habitat program, and heritage sites. Panelists include Corey Burant, Ellen Savoia, Kim Viney, Natalie Green, Steve Barnhart, Travis Hill.
Many Conservation Authorities across Ontario work closely with Indigenous communities to ensure stewardship efforts are coordinated using both western and Indigenous knowledge. In partnering with the Celebration of Nations this year, the NPCA looks forward to continuing to foster a future of collaboration.
A complete list of Festival programming can be found at www.celebrationofnations.ca/2020-virtual-events. Streaming is free online.
To learn more about the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority, visit www.npca.ca. Follow Facebook and Twitter for more updates.
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About NPCA:
The Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority (NPCA) is a community-based natural resource management agency that works to protect, enhance, and sustain healthy watersheds. With 60 years of experience, the NPCA offers watershed programs and services that focus on flood and hazard management, source water protection, species protection, ecosystem restoration, community stewardship, and land management.
The NPCA is one of 36 Conservation Authorities in the Province of Ontario and manages 41 Conservation Areas within the Niagara Peninsula watershed held in public trust for recreation, heritage preservation, conservation, and education. These natural and shared greenspaces marry nature, culture, and adventure to create limitless opportunities for discovery.
Questions related to the above release should be directed to:
Erika Navarro, Communications Specialist
905.788.3135 ext.262
Mobile: 905-650-4027
enavarro@npca.ca