The History of the Delta Days Traveling Display
The idea for the Delta Days Traveling Display came out of conversations between people who live, work, and
do research in three of Canada’s inland river deltas. These deltas include the Slave River Delta (NWT), PeaceAthabasca Delta (AB), and Saskatchewan River Delta (SK/MB).
The Delta Dialogue Network
In 2013, a research partnership
called the Delta Dialogue Network
was formed to help understand how
knowledge could be shared within
and across the three deltas so that it
is accessible, meaningful, and useful
to communities, decision-makers,
and academics. One of the goals of
this research network is to bring
together delta community members,
leaders, and youth with researchers
and students so that they can share
knowledge and experiences about the changes they are seeing in their deltas and in their communities.
Delta Days 2016
As a result, over 100 participants met in Saskatoon, SK in
early April 2016 to take part in an event called Delta Days.
In total, fifteen Métis and First Nations organizations, three
community organizations, two universities, one industry
organization, three government agencies (provincial,
territorial, and federal), and one environmental nongovernmental organization were represented. The group
was made up of youth, elders, community leaders,
researchers, decision-makers, and other stakeholders
involved with deltas and delta communities. The
communities of Fort Resolution, Fort Smith, Fort Chipewyan, Cumberland House (including Cumberland House
Cree Nation and the Northern Village of Cumberland House), and Opaskwayak were represented.
The event included ceremonies, presentations, large and small group discussions, and interactive group
activities. Presentations were focused on three main topics, including watershed planning, community-based
monitoring, and youth engagement. These topics were chosen because they represent existing efforts taking
“Bring back nature’s flow, restore our deltas’ rhythms”
The History of the Delta Days Traveling Display
place in all three deltas that community members wanted to share. Representatives from each delta were
given an opportunity to present on the topic at hand, focusing on what lessons or experiences they wanted to
share with the other delta communities. Presentations were followed by reflections from elders, and
questions. Youth (ages 15-21) participants took part in these main group activities, as well as separate youthfocused activities (such as fish scale art, traditional games, finger weaving). In addition, a panel presentation
and film screening invited the public to learn more about the deltas.
MAPPING ACTIVITY
P UBLIC PANEL DISCUSSION
MURAL CREATED DURING
DELTA D AYS
YOUTH PRESENTATION
YOUTH ART PROJECT
P HOTOBOOTH: WHAT DOES
YOUR DELTA MEAN TO YOU?
Traveling Display
At the end of this three-day event, it was clear that the conversations taking place between different groups
involved in the deltas needed to continue. The purpose of the traveling display is to do just that. There were
several themes that came out of Delta Days, including awareness of issues, despair, hope, collaboration
between different groups, and action on key concerns. These themes are also represented in the traveling
display. In addition to connecting with the larger delta communities, this display aims to bring key messages to
decision-makers involved in the deltas. One of the main messages that was heard during Delta Days, and is
expressed in this display, is: “Bring back nature’s flow, restore our deltas’ rhythms”.
For more information about the Delta Dialogue Network and the Delta Days event (including a video summary
in several languages) go to our website at http://www.usask.ca/research-groups/ddn.
“Bring back nature’s flow, restore our deltas’ rhythms”
www.usask.ca/sens