Species at Risk

The National Aboriginal Council on Species at Risk (NACOSAR) has had the opportunity to advise the Minister of Environment on the administration of the Act and to provide advice and recommendations to Canadian Endangered Species Conservation Council (CESCC). Our continued participation as a recognized member of this Council offers NWAC an unprecedented opportunity to contribute to virtually every facet of the Species at Risk Act. It gives voice to Aboriginal women who as holders of Aboriginal traditional knowledge are able to contribute to listing, policy, and decision-making processes that effect species and their critical habitat. In many cases, scientific authorities are learning that Aboriginal traditional knowledge is an advanced tool for examining variables related to species at risk in this country, and NWAC is very pleased to have contributed to this realization. NACOSAR recently held a workshop in Halifax, Nova Scotia, from February 10-12, 2009, attended by 110 delegates from across Canada. The five (5) representative national Aboriginal organizations were encouraged to find interested delegates to participate from regions across Canada with some background on species at risk. For more information on NACOSAR please refer to their new website: www.nacosar.ca