Nunatsiavut to Nunavik Expedition 2025: Update 6
After an exciting first night in Montreal, we were honoured to be invited to visit the Kahnawà:ke Mohawk Territory just south of the city on the southern shore of the St. Lawrence River. Kahnawà:ke is one of several communities of the Mohawk Nation and the Kanien’kehá:ka (the “People of the Flint”) are part of the larger Iroquois Confederacy.
We were greeted by Lynn Konwaia’tanón:we’s Jacobs from the Indigenous Leadership Initiative (special thanks to SOI Educator and Indigenous Leadership Initiative Executive Director Valérie Courtois for arranging our time in the community). The ILI’s Policy and Operations Advisor, Lynn helped the Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke establish its Environment Protection Unit (KEPO) in 2018 and served as its first director. She gave participants insight into the environmental initiatives in the community and discussed the 20+ years she spent working in her home community of Kahnawà:ke on land stewardship initiatives, habitat monitoring, mapping, protection, and restoration.
Later, we took a walking tour with Environmental Projects Coordinator Cole Teionieh’táthe Delisle, who showed us a variety of plants, animals, and medicinal species—though many have become harder to find as intensive agriculture, urbanization, and industrial activity on the edges of the territory impact local ecosystems. It was encouraging to hear him share insights from a 10-year environmental study, which shows the local ecosystems are experiencing a resurgence thanks to KEPO’s stewardship initiatives.
After enjoying a picnic lunch, Kahnawà:ke Tourism guide Zye Mayo led us on a walking tour of the community’s main street where we learned about the Territory’s history and its name, which means “on the rapids.” We learned about the influence of the Catholic Church in this area as Zye told us about the Shrine of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha at the 300-year-old St. Francis Xavier Mission. And Zye also explained how the construction of the St. Lawrence Seaway cut off the community’s access to the river, its traditional food source, and reduced its land base. It was an insightful experience.
Later, after returning to the city, we took in the sights of Montréal and enjoyed a breathtaking acrobatic performance at Cirque du Soleil’s Luzia. We were thrilled to have the chance to see such a wild show set in an imaginary Mexico. We also visited the Biodome, where we journeyed through the ecosystems of the Americas—all under one roof. It was a nice chance to slow down and marvel at the biodiversity we’ve spent the last week learning about in the field.
In the polar regions exhibit, Miranda lit up at the sight of puffins and murres diving through icy waters, while in the St. Lawrence River zone, Dawson and Tapio stood transfixed as a massive sturgeon glided past. Melissa pressed her hand to the glass, captivated by the same prehistoric fish. At the tide pool, Tapio, Dawson, and Miranda leaned in to examine sea life up close, their curiosity as vivid as ever. And in the tropical forest exhibit, SOI Educator Anna Velasco and participant Alex couldn’t hide their excitement at spotting a golden lion tamarin darting through the trees. The visit was a perfect mix of science, wonder, and reflection—an inspiring end to an unforgettable journey.
We hiked up Mont-Royal for panoramic views of the city. We even took a spin on La Grande roue de Montréal, Canada’s tallest observation wheel, before gathering for one final group hug, a last debrief, and some sweet but melancholic goodbyes. Our hearts are full, and we are all beyond grateful for this wild and fun expedition together.