New CBRCanada Member: International Institute for Sustainable Development Experimental Lakes Area

The International Institute for Sustainable Development Experimental Lakes Area (IISD-ELA) is a freshwater laboratory in northwestern Ontario—the only place in the world where scientists can research on real lakes to understand what human activity does to fresh water. Uniquely stationed in the traditional territory of Treaty #3, IISD-ELA has been working toward building meaningful relationships with individuals and communities in the area through project collaborations and outreach activities. Partnered with Grand Council Treaty #3 (GCT3) on their multi-year community-based monitoring program since 2018, IISD-ELA has welcomed youth participants from three communities to its research station for a four-day training session during summer. These sessions have provided platform for both IISD-ELA researchers and Treaty #3 community members to exchange and share knowledge in land-water monitoring. Moving forward, IISD-ELA will continue collaboration with GCT3 and communities and create additional resources to support their community-based monitoring initiative.