Together With Giigoonyag

Over the last twenty years, the Lake Huron ecosystem has undergone significant changes, leading to a notable decline in lake whitefish (dikameg in Anishinaabemowin) populations across the lake. Lake whitefish play a vital role in the Lake Huron ecosystem and are culturally and economically significant to the Saugeen Ojibway Nation who have harvested them since time immemorial. The Together With Giigoonyag (pronounced “gi-go-yag”, meaning “fishes”) project is a collaborative, community-driven research effort involving the Saugeen Ojibway Nation (comprised of the Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation and Chippewas of Saugeen First Nation), Parks Canada – Fathom Five National Marine Park, and Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry.

Using a Two-Eyed Seeing approach, this initiative bridges Indigenous and Western science-based knowledge systems, aiming to enhance our understanding of lake whitefish in Lake Huron, including Georgian Bay and the Saugeen Ojibway Nation Territory. Working collaboratively, the project brings together scientists, decision makers and knowledge holders, including Saugeen Ojibway Nation membership and fish harvesters; fosters relationships, provides data to guide lake-wide fisheries management, and promotes mutual understanding.

Learn about acoustic telemetry and how it is being used to monitor lake whitefish movements in Lake Huron.

Explore how the project investigates lake whitefish spawning success in Lake Huron and Georgian Bay.

Understand how the project contributes to the development of long-term monitoring indicators. 

This project is proceeding with the cooperation of the following organizations:

• Saugeen Ojibway Nation
• Trent University
• Ontario Ministry of Resources and Forestry