Longtime conservationist wins recognition from Parks Canada
Jonas Antoine thanked for years of work in co-operative management
April Hudson
Northern News Services
Thursday, December 8, 2016
LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON
Jonas Antoine has been around the Nahanni National Park so long that sometimes, when he and Dehcho First Nations Grand Chief Herb Norwegian visit the park they get mistaken for janitors.
Dehcho First Nations Grand Chief Herb Norwegian, left, presents longtime conservationist Jonas Antoine with a book, while Jonathan Tsetso hands him an award on behalf of Parks Canada. - April Hudson/NNSL photo
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Although tongue-in-cheek, that anecdote as told by Norwegian exemplifies the impact Antoine's devotion to the park has had.
Surrounded by friends, family and co-workers on Nov. 29, Antoine was recognized by Parks Canada and Dehcho First Nations for the years of his life he dedicated to the development and management of the Nahanni National Park.
Liidlii Kue First Nation and Fort Simpson Metis Local hosted a dinner and drum dance to celebrate Antoine's recognition.
Antoine joined the co-operative management board for Parks Canada in 2003 and spent 11 years sitting on that board.
He became involved with a working group that was tasked to look at the park's expansion, and at times travelled to Ottawa to gain momentum from diplomats and ministers for regional consultation and research into establishing the park.
Jonathan Tsetso, who works with Parks Canada, presented Antoine a specially made plaque in recognition of his accomplishments.
Credited for bringing a wealth of traditional knowledge into the park's wildlife research programs and facilities, Antoine helped to negotiate memorandums of understanding with stakeholders.
Tsetso said Antoine's remarkable career included playing an instrumental role in the 2004 and 2010 park management plans, as well as the Naha Dehe Harvesters Protocol, developed in 2016.
"He's always been a champion for co-operative management," Tsetso said.
"He has always had the members of the communities in mind first during discussions at the table with Parks Canada. (That) came out in a very honest, humble and passionate way."
That humility remained in place as Antoine accepted his plaque and a book featuring photographs from the Nahanni National Park.
As the crowd called on him to speak, Antoine gave credit for his accomplishments back to Parks Canada and Dehcho First Nations.
"We had the backing of the whole Deh Cho leadership, which means a great deal . (That gives you) confidence like you wouldn't believe, you have the authority when you speak, people listen to you," he said. "I had that."
As for his thoughts on being recognized for his service, Antoine said it brings him back to an old proverb his grandfather used to tell him. The advice in question encouraged him to appreciate practical things above all.
"But the thought and meaning behind this - there's something to it that I can add to what my grandfather said, which is, you cherish something like (this), the personal relationships we have and these recognitions," he said.
"I will cherish that and add that to my grandfather's words."
