DELINE/FORT FRANKLIN
Deline is getting excited about an upcoming visit later this month by famed environmentalist and TV personality David Suzuki. And the feeling is mutual.

David Suzuki, pictured above in Yellowknife last fall, will speak at a water conference in Deline later this month. - NNSL file photo

"For me, it's always an honour and privilege to be able to go up there," said Suzuki of his occasional visits to the North.

This will be his first visit to Deline, where he will be a guest speaker at the 2015 Water Heart Conference hosted from July 28 to 30 by the Deline Land Corporation.

Suzuki, who lives in Vancouver, is probably best known for his many years as host of the CBC program The Nature of Things.

While the term "water heart" in the conference name refers to Great Bear Lake, delegates are expected from around the NWT, and even other territories and provinces.

They will discuss local and regional approaches to sustainable water management by aboriginal and community governments.

"It's the first conference of its kind for Deline," said Les Baton, co-ordinator of the event.

Suzuki, who will talk about the sustainable use of water, said he tries to speak to First Nations communities whenever he is able, in order to give an overarching message about what he sees as the fundamental problems the world faces today.

"Fundamentally, what I'm concerned about is the need for a paradigm shift in the way we look at our relationship with the Earth," he explained.

"And it's the indigenous people all over the world who have the deep roots in place and understand that we are a part of and dependent on the natural world for our health and our well being."

Suzuki said he believes society has to begin to look at the world the way indigenous people do, and not just see the land, water and air as resources for people to use.

"Water is more than just a resource," he added.

"It's the essence of what we are. We're 60 to 70 per cent water. We're a part of the hydro-logic cycle, and yet we treat water as if it's a garbage can. It's crazy."

Suzuki will be accompanied to Deline by his wife, Tara Cullis, who is president of the David Suzuki Foundation.

In addition, they will be joined on the trip by Miles Richardson, a former president of the Haida Nation.

Richardson will address the conference on the topic of governance and management of water.

"It's going to be an exciting trip for us," said Suzuki.

Baton said the visitors, who will amount to over 100 delegates, will experience Northern aboriginal culture through drum dances, hand games and other activities.

"Most of them are government officials who work directly with water usage, and some scientists," Baton said, adding there will also be representatives of First Nations, regulatory boards and land corporations.

Another guest speaker will be Chief Allan Adam of the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation in Fort Chipewyan, Alta.

In addition to his participation in the conference, organizers

in Deline hope to take Suzuki fishing.

"I'm an avid fisherman," he confirmed, adding he is not a trophy fisherman.

He said he just wants to catch something and bring it home to eat.