Last week, I had the privilege of attending two important events in St. John’s, the Energy NL annual conference and the Habitat Conservation Workshop hosted by the Stewardship Association of Municipalities.

At the Habitat Conservation Workshop, I was honored to speak alongside invited guests in a session led by Piers Evans  from the Nature Conservancy of Canada titled, Voices of Habitat Stewardship and Conservation from Municipal, ENGO, Federal, and Indigenous Perspectives: What do we value as Newfoundlanders and Labradorians? 

Starting the week with discussions on conservation and then transitioning into the Energy NL conference with Central Vice Chief Collen Paul, provided a valuable opportunity to carry forward the perspectives shared by various organizations.

As a council, we continue to examine how we engage in economic development, ensuring our decisions support both sustainability and prosperity for future generations.

Through my work with the Assembly of First Nations National Fisheries Committee and the Chief’s Committee on Economic Development, I collaborate with Chiefs across Canada to address environmental and economic impacts. These discussions allow us to lobby government for better practices that integrate Indigenous knowledge and values.

As your new council, we look forward to hearing your perspectives through respectful, meaningful dialogue so that together, we can shape a future for our youth, one filled with opportunity and assurance that our connection to the land and water can carry on our traditions for generations to come.