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Youth Researchers from Chisasibi Make Their Mark at the Indigenous Health Research Summit

Earlier this month, a team from Chisasibi Eeyou Resource and Research Institute (CERRI) travelled to Kahnawake, Quebec to participate in the Indigenous Health Research Summit — a gathering that brought together researchers, knowledge holders, and community leaders from across the country. This event wasn’t just about sharing data and results — it was about coming together as Indigenous communities to exchange wisdom, build relationships, and celebrate the ways we are reclaiming our health and our future.

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For us at CERRI, it was a powerful moment. Our youth researchers — Preston Sam, Collin Snowboy, and Nicholas Chakapash — joined Marine Biologist Dante Torio to represent our community and present three very different but interconnected projects that all share the same goal: to protect and strengthen the health of our people, our land, and our future generations.


Seeing Two Ways: Understanding Eelgrass Decline in James Bay


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Our first presentation came from Dante Torio, who spoke on “Seeing Two Ways: Unraveling Eelgrass Decline in James Bay.” Eelgrass beds are critical habitats for fish, waterfowl, and countless other species — but across James Bay, they are under threat.


Using the Two-Eyed Seeing paradigm, Dante explained how our research is guided by Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) — the wisdom of Elders and harvesters — alongside scientific fieldwork and monitoring.


He spoke about what we are learning:

  • Why eelgrass beds are losing their soft soil,

  • How changes in sediment, water quality, and climate may be affecting their survival,

  • Why eelgrass is essential for the health of James Bay ecosystems, and

  • How we can work together to protect it for future generations.

This presentation reminded everyone that the land and waters are living systems — and that our responsibility is not only to study them but to care for them.


Growing Food in a Harsh Northern Climate


The second presentation was led by Preston Sam and Collin Snowboy, Agriculture Research Assistants at CERRI, who shared the journey of building a local food system in one of the harshest growing zones in the Eeyou Istchee — zone 1B.

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Preston & Collin began with a warm greeting and described the unique challenges of living in Chisasibi, where most groceries are shipped in from the south:

“By the time they get here, they aren’t always fresh,” Preston explained. “This has contributed to serious health challenges in our community and has also weakened our connection to traditional food systems.”

This is what inspired the community to prioritize agriculture research. Collin put it simply:

“For us, agriculture isn’t just about growing plants — it’s about improving health, rebuilding resilience, and reclaiming sovereignty over our food systems.”

Innovation and Resilience in the North


In 2023, CERRI built a geodesic dome greenhouse that quickly became more than just a structure — it became a community symbol of innovation and resilience. Preston described it as a place to “experiment, learn, and involve community members of all ages.”

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Collin emphasized the cultural dimension:

“Through this greenhouse, we’ve reintroduced planting and harvesting to our youth, while also creating opportunities for Elders to share Eeyou Knowledge about land and food. The greenhouse has become a space of both education and healing.”

Challenges and Opportunities


Both presenters spoke honestly about the difficulties:

  • A very short growing season

  • High infrastructure and heating costs

  • Limited local farming experience


But they also highlighted how these challenges create opportunities for innovation.

“The greenhouse is more than a place to grow food — it’s a teaching hub where we experiment with methods that can work in harsh climates,” Collin said. “We are blending modern agriculture with Eeyou Knowledge, making sure that what we grow is not only successful but meaningful.”

Preston added a special moment:

“Elders have contributed wood chips for our grow beds, reminding us that the land itself provides resources for healthier soil when used responsibly. At the same time, we’ve had the chance to educate students at our local high school — for many, this was their first experience seeing food grown locally in Chisasibi.”

Our Achievements

Their presentation celebrated the success of the dome:

“Since the dome opened, we’ve seen great results. We’ve grown kale, lettuce, basil, peas, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, and more. Each harvest is proof that agriculture is possible in our northern climate.” — Preston

The produce has been shared with the community through nutrition workshops, tasting events, and open harvest days, where families could pick their own fresh food — a first for many in Chisasibi.

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Youth have been at the heart of this project:

“From planting seeds to harvesting greens, young people are gaining skills and experiences that connect them to food production in a way they haven’t had before,” Preston explained. “It’s about inspiring the next generation of growers, and showing them that agriculture has a place in our community.”

Collin also highlighted their storytelling efforts:

“To share our journey more widely, we documented a short film called Growing Together, capturing the challenges and successes of building local food systems in Chisasibi.”

Looking Ahead

The pair closed by looking toward the future:

“This is just the beginning,” Collin said. “We plan to expand production inside the dome, test new cold-climate crops, and build a container farm that will allow us to grow food year-round — a big step forward for food access in the North.”

Assessing Environmental Contaminants in Traditional Foods


Finally, Nicholas Chakapash presented a project that matters to every family in Chisasibi: “Community Contaminants Testing Program: Assessing Environmental Contaminants in Traditional Foods of Chisasibi.”

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Nicholas opened with a powerful question:

“Are our traditional foods safe to eat in today’s environment?”

This project focuses on methylmercury in fish and migratory waterfowl — foods that are central to Cree identity, culture, and diet. He reminded the audience that while these foods are vital for nutrition and cultural continuity, mercury can build up in northern ecosystems and pose health risks, especially for young children, pregnant women, and elders.


Nicholas explained that the project had three main goals:

  • Assess contamination levels – Measure mercury concentrations in fish, waterfowl, and shellfish harvested locally.

  • Promote informed decision-making – Share results so families can make safe choices.

  • Build community capacity – Involve Cree land users, Elders, and youth in the process to keep knowledge within the community.


To meet these goals, the team collected samples during traditional harvesting seasons, tested fish muscle, waterfowl meat and liver, and shellfish using high-precision lab equipment — combining science with Cree harvesting knowledge to ensure culturally meaningful results.


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The findings were eye-opening:

  • Brook Trout, Sculpin, and Whitefish were generally safe, with mercury levels well below health advisory limits.

  • Lake Trout often exceeded safety limits, meaning frequent consumption could be a concern — especially for vulnerable groups.

  • Waterfowl breast meat was very low in mercury, but livers had much higher levels and should be eaten less frequently or avoided by children, pregnant women, and elders.

  • Merganser showed consistently high mercury levels and is recommended to be avoided altogether.


Nicholas emphasized that these guidelines are not about discouraging traditional foods, but about helping families eat safely and confidently:

“By combining scientific testing with Cree traditional knowledge, we can make informed decisions that protect both health and culture. This balance is key for future generations, ensuring that traditional foods continue to nourish both our bodies and our way of life.”

A Step Forward for Chisasibi


This trip to Kahnawake was more than a professional event — it was a milestone for CERRI and for the youth who are shaping the future of our community. Together, we showed that Chisasibi is a place of innovation, resilience, and knowledge — a community where traditional knowledge and science walk hand in hand.

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Join Us on This Journey


Our work doesn’t stop here — in many ways, this is just the beginning. We are committed to:

  • Continuing to study and protect James Bay ecosystems,

  • Expanding local food production so more families can access healthy, affordable food,

  • Sharing results about environmental contaminants to keep our community informed, and

  • Inspiring the next generation to step forward as researchers, growers, and leaders.


We invite you — community members, youth, Elders, and partners — to join us. Visit the greenhouse dome during harvest days, volunteer with us, share your traditional knowledge, or simply stop by to learn and taste what we are growing. Together, we can build a future where our people are healthy, our land is thriving, and our knowledge continues to guide the way forward.


📢 Follow CERRI on Facebook and our website for updates, photos, and upcoming events. Your support keeps this work alive.


Special Thanks


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We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to QcNEIHR (Quebec Network Environment for Indigenous Health Research) and KSDPP (Kahnawake Schools Diabetes Prevention Project) for organizing and facilitating the Indigenous Health Research Summit. Your support provided an important platform for our youth researchers to share their work, build new connections, and be part of a larger conversation about Indigenous health.



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Your efforts help bring together knowledge holders, researchers, and communities from across Quebec, and we are grateful for the opportunity to be part of this gathering.



We would also like to thank Ashley Robertson, who beautifully captured these moments through photography. Your work allows us to share the story of this gathering with our community and beyond.






 
 
 
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