Exploring Indigenous-led collaborative stewardship in a watershed context: Prespectives from the Nechako headwaters

This research explores collaborative stewardship on a watershed scale and how local insight can assist in shaping collaborative approaches to culturally appropriate stewardship. The Cheslatta Carrier Nation (Cheslatta) have called the upper Nechako watershed home since time immemorial. They enjoyed a self-sustaining and peaceful existence until forced to leave when the waters started rising as their shores were flooded to create a reservoir. Regardless of adversity, Cheslatta have worked with passion and tenacity to restore the health of the upper watershed and the well-being of their people. Guided by Indigenous research approaches and appreciative inquiry, this research reviewed literature, documents and interviews with residents of the upper Nechako. The gathered data was then analyzed and themes were identified. The themes identified offer insights into local perspectives on stewardship, pointing especially to the ways reconciliation and community well-being can all be enhanced through cooperative and collaborative methods.