Reta Meng was awarded the 2025 Research Impact Canada Engaged Scholarship Award for her project, Mshiikenh Ganaawaabanjige: Weaving Anishinaabe Knowledge and Western Science for Freshwater Turtle Conservation.
ABOUT PROJECT
Co-developed conservation programs for Species At Risk are a vital shift toward effective species recovery strategies. These programs, created in partnership between Indigenous Nations and non-Indigenous researchers, are culturally respectful and contribute to reconciliation within the natural sciences. The Mshiikenh Ganawaabanjige (Those Who Watch Over Turtles) conservation initiative exemplifies this approach. This project was co-developed between the Whitefish River First Nation Lands and Resources Department and McMaster University researchers in Northern Mnidoo Gamii (Georgian Bay), Ontario, Canada. By weaving together diverse knowledge systems and prioritizing Indigenous laws, values, and community priorities, our collaboration aims to restore at-risk freshwater turtle populations and prevent species extirpation.
Key lessons from this collaboration include:
- Co-developing project objectives to align with both community and conservation goals.
- Honoring community priorities by prioritizing Indigenous perspectives and values throughout.
- Respecting data sovereignty by ensuring data ownership and governance remain with the community.
- Learning to foster trust, mutual respect, and equitable partnerships.
- Following a community-led trajectory, allowing the project to evolve based on community input and leadership.
- Focusing on tangible outcomes that benefit both species recovery and the community, contributing to overall ecological and cultural resilience.
The main focus of this research includes:
- Identifying critical habitat of species at risk freshwater turtles
- Mitigating threats facing freshwater turtles found within the traditional territories of Whitefish River First Nation
- Engage, collaborate, and be guided by Anishinaabe worldviews, knowledge systems, and cultural values in all aspects of our research program.
Our initiative demonstrates the value of community-engaged conservation programming and research as a pathway forward for Species At-Risk conservation in Canada and beyond. It also highlights the importance of reflecting on the historical harms of colonial research practices while demonstrating a strong example of decolonized research by fostering meaningful partnerships rooted in reconciliation.
To learn more about the project, please find the published manuscript at Meng, Reta Lingrui, et al. “A framework for doing things In a Good Way: insights on Mshiikenh (freshwater turtle) conservation through weaving Western Science and Indigenous Knowledge in Whitefish River First Nation.” Ecology and Evolution 15.5 (2025): e71431.
ABOUT AWARD RECIPIENT
Reta Lingrui Meng is a PhD candidate at McMaster University working on Blanding’s Turtle conservation by weaving Indigenous Knowledge and Western Science to create recovery plans. She is a lover of all turtles and enjoys spending time in the great outdoors with her dog, climbing, and drawing!