About Us

ROOTED IN WATER, GUIDED BY KNOWLEDGE

To Swim and Speak with Salmon is a group of people dedicated to mentoring, learning, speaking with, and standing with Salmon as they grapple with modern times. We aim to empower people (focusing on young leaders) to speak out and stand up. We are centred around Indigenous teachings and laws while including others who have strong attachment and love for place.

Throughout this page, take a moment to reflect on how we belong to Salmon as they have provided guidance, wisdom, and their lives to this place for generations. When we say “Our,” we speak from the place of Salmon. For example, “Our Young Leaders” refers to “Salmon’s Young Leaders.”

OUR YOUNG LEADERS

Zakayla Netro

She/Her, Vuntut Gwitchin, Old Crow/Whitehorse, Yukon

Juliette Greetham

She/Her, Non-Indigenous, Whitehorse, Yukon

Matty Mead

He/They, Non-Indigenous, Whitehorse, Yukon

Keyshawn Sawyer

He/Him, Northern Tutchone – Selkirk First Nation

Carissa “Ékè Éwe” Waugh

She/Her, Kwanlin Dun First Nations with family ties to Little Salmon/ Carmacks and Taku River Tlingit First Nations

MacKenzie Engilshoe

She/Her, Gwichyaa Zhee, Fort Yukon, Alaska

Emily Ross

She/Her, Non-Indigenous, Whitehorse, Yukon

Johnathon Robinson

He/Him, Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in First Nation

Francis Prince-Jr

He/Him, Yupik – Village of Kotlik

Alicia Staples

Sher/Her – Little Salmon Carmacks First Nations

OUR TEAM

Jared Gonet

He/Him, Program Director

Inland Tłingit – Southern Lakes Region, Yukon

Water-Salmon-FEATURE-Web-Pic-July-24-2024-0374

Nika “Sänchʼīa” Silverfox-Young

She/Her, Youth Lead

Little Salmon / Carmacks First Nation, Yukon

Kate Curtis

She/Her, Program Manager

Non-Indigenous, Whitehorse, Yukon

Paul McCarney

He/Him, Project Advisor

Non-Indigenous, Old Crow, Yukon

Nicole “Sothän ets’i” Rondeau

She/Her, Auntie Advisor

Little Salmon / Carmacks First Nation, Yukon

Beans

Chief Barketing Officer

Whitehorse, Yukon

Nimbus

Assistant to the Chief

Whitehorse, Yukon

Franklin

Chief Morale Officer

Whitehorse, Yukon

OUR STEERING COMMITTEE

Fiona Schmiegelow

Steve Ellis

Jodi Gustafson

Lawrence Ignace

HONOURARY MEMBERS

Norma Kassi

Kirsten Smith

OUR FISH RELATIVES

Chinook

gyo (Dän Kʼī́/(Northern Tutchone)

gyü (Dän Kʼe/Southern Tutchone)

tʼá (Łingit/Tlingit

Łuk choo (Hän)

Łuk cho(Hän)

gēs (Dinjii Zhuh kʼyuu/Gwichʼin)

Chum

tthí (Dän Kʼī́/Northern Tutchone)

thì (Dän Kʼe/Southern Tutchone)

tîłʼ (Łingit/Tlingit)

khii (Dinjii Zhuh kʼyuu/Gwichʼin)

Coho

nìile (Dän Kʼe/Southern Tutchone)

łʼùk (Łingit/Tlingit)

Sockeye

sambay (Dän Kʼe/Southern Tutchone)

ghàt (Łingit/Tlingit)

Pink

châsʼ (Łingit/Tlingit)

OUR SPONSORS AND PARTNERS

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Mackenzie Englishoe

Gwichyaa Zhee, Fort Yukon, Alaska

Mackenzie Englishoe is a 21-year-old Gwichyaa Gwich'in from the village of Gwichyaa Zhee, (commonly known as Fort Yukon) located along the Upper Yukon and Porcupine Rivers in Interior Alaska. Raised between the camp at Chandalar Lake and the community of Fairbanks, Mackenzie has always maintained a deep connection to her Gwich’in culture, her people,, the porcupine caribou herd they depend on, and the lands that have shaped her upbringing. With a strong ancestral lineage, she advocates for the youth of the Interior, driven by a passion to preserve the traditions and values that are the foundation of her community.

Mackenzie’s journey into advocacy began at the age of 15, when she attended the 2018 Climate Change In My Community conference in Fairbanks, Alaska. This experience sparked her lifelong commitment to climate action and both environmental and indigenous justice. From that moment, Mackenzie became a part of the GLOBE Project, an international research initiative supported by NASA, focusing on the intersection of culture, climate change, and western data collecting. Alongside her mother, Nicole James, Mackenzie began studying local blueberry growth in the Fairbanks area, noticing the early fall and deterioration of the berries her and her family relied on. Their research contributed to the GLOBE App, sharing vital data with a global community of scientists and researchers.

Now, at 21, Mackenzie continues to be an active participant in climate change-related and indigenous conferences, summits, and training programs. She passionately weaves together traditional knowledge and Western science to tackle pressing issues such as climate change, land protection, food security, and Indigenous rights. For the past few years, she has been involved in conservation action for Yukon River Salmon Decline, the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls & Two-Spirit (MMIWG2S+) movement, and the constant advocacy for Indigenous hunting and fishing rights, along with many other issues.

Mackenzie currently serves as the Youth Advisor representing the young people of her region, on the Tanana Chiefs Conference (TCC) Executive Board, since elected in March 2024. She is also a 2023 Arctic Youth Ambassador, speaking about climate change in Alaska and the Arctic as a whole, a member of the Remembering Our Sisters 2023 cohort and a 2024 braveheart fellow with the Center of Native American Youth Additionally, she is currently involved in the To Swim and Speak with Salmon program, which strengthens relationships and advancing youth advocacy between Alaska, Yukon, and British Columbia.

Her leadership extends to her role as Chair of the Emerging Leaders Youth Advisory Council, where she continues to be a fierce advocate for youth engagement in decision-making processes. Mackenzie’s journey is only beginning, and with her unwavering commitment to her people, their land, and the future of the youth in the Interior, there is no doubt she will continue to make a profound impact in her community, Alaska, and beyond.

Emily Ross

Non indigenous, Whitehorse, Yukon

I am a settler of British, Danish, and Dutch descent who was born and raised on the territories of the Kwanlin Dün First Nation and the Ta'an Kwäch'än Council. I am passionate about education that connects us with the land and one another to help address complex issues and construct imaginative futures, and I am grateful to be exploring this as a current graduate student in international education. Over the years I have worked for different community non-profits in areas like arts-based and outdoor education, community outreach and inclusion, and youth and climate advocacy, and I currently work as the Community Education and Mentorship Coordinator at Inclusion Yukon. As a settler on these lands, I care deeply about exploring the role and responsibility that non-Indigenous people have to play in supporting the cultivation of decolonial futures.

I am humbled and grateful to be joining the To Swim and Speak with the Salmon Program and stepping further into the role of salmon advocacy. I am excited to build deeper connections with the land and others, and to get to learn from and with so many incredible people.

Jared Gonet

Inland Tłingit - Southern Lakes Region, Yukon

I’m from the Yukon but also have deep ties to the Northwest Territories. My father was born in Whitehorse, my mother in Fort Liard. I’ve inland Tlingit, Dene, Polish, Scottish, and many other ethnicities in my veins. Yet, both the Southern Lakes of the Yukon/BC, and Fort Liard – feel like home, feel as if I am part of them, and they part of me. I am related into the McLeod, Isaiah, Gonet, and Johnson families most closely. I am Wolf Moiety. I have citizenship with Carcross Tagish, and have had status with Taku River Tlingit for decades – identity is a complex thing, diverse – the Indian Act aims to limit that diversity.

I have often thought as I’ve sat and looked at the Yukon River, at the Liard River – at these veins, arteries, all that it brings, guides, nourishes, provides – that this place and these people – both human and non-human people – are worth that last full measure of devotion. So, my work, as it is, both outwardly and inwardly, tries to keep the Yukon or the North (and myself) healthy enough so each may serve the other.

I acknowledge the thousands of years of sacrifice salmon relatives have made for me to be here today – and work to help them how I can.

Nika “Sänchʼīa” Silverfox-Young

Northern Tutchone - Tagé Cho - Little Salmon / Carmacks First Nation, Yukon

The May ihddhäl ch’ī. Tagé Cho ihtagé ch’ī.

Ìne eyínłan Tagé Cho hudän tsin echʼī. Istųm Bessie Blackjack (Billy) ų́ųzhī, itsí David Blackjack ų́ųzhī. Istumą Sally Silverfox (Blackjack) ų́ųzhī, istía Peter Silverfox Sr. ų́ųzhī. Istía eyínłan Ts’éhkinnuk ne hudän tsin ehch’ī. Ìne Debbie Silverfox ų́ųzhī. Ité Fintain Young ų́ųzhī, ité eyínłan Newfoundland tsin echʼī. Kʼuchʼän Kʼī́ Nika Silverfox-Young ų́ųzhī, dän kʼī́ Sänchʼīà ų́ųzhī . Eguné īhchʼī. Kwänlin yū nínji.

Grey Mountain is my mountain. The Yukon River is my river.

My name is Nika Silverfox-Young, and my aunty named me Sänchʼīa. I am Wolf clan, and a citizen of Little Salmon / Carmacks First Nation. My mother is Debbie Silverfox, and our family is from Carmacks. My grandparents were the late Sally Silverfox (Blackjack) and Peter Silverfox Sr. from Pelly Crossing, Yukon. My father is Fintain Young, and his family comes from the province of Newfoundland, in Atlantic Canada.

Nika is working towards learning her traditional language of Dän Kʼī́ (Northern Tutchone) and has spent the last few years immersing herself into learning her language and culture. Nika is very passionate about the conservation of the Yukon river salmon species and has spent the past few years learning the art of fish skin tanning with some incredible women. Nikaʼs love and passion for fishing comes from her fathers Newfoundland roots where she learned how to tie a fishing hook well before she had ever learned to tie her shoes as a young child.

Nika is an alumni of the Yukon First Nations Climate Action Fellowship, where they created the ‘Reconnection Vision’ as the Yukon First Nations approach to climate action and it is an offering to continue the journey of Together Today for Our Children Tomorrow.

“Reconnection Vision is our pathway for change, where reconnection transforms the ways we live, learn, and work through being in good relationship with ourselves, each other, and the Land."

Sóthän de ikʼǟnete - Nän ka etsʼín inna.

Take care of yourself - Go on the land.

Kate Curtis

Whitehorse, Yukon

Heya! My name is Kate, and I am the Project Manager for the To Speak and Swim with Salmon program. My maternal grandparents - Rita and John Miskimmin - came to Canada from the North of Ireland, and my paternal family has been in the United States (mostly in Tennessee) for many generations, before likely coming from some conglomerate of European countries. I grew up on syilx Okanagan Territory with my parents - Brenda Miskimmin and Jeff Curits - who were both environmental scientists. Though I have lived around BC for most of my life, my Master’s work brought me to the Yukon in 2023. I’m grateful to now call Whitehorse home and have the opportunity to work with people doing incredible work on their home territories.

Though my parents instilled a passion for the natural world in me, it took me some time to reconnect with that passion in my professional work. It took a degree in linguistics and some excellent teachings to bring me to where I am now. The work that I do now, both academically and professionally, brings me into environmental, social, and linguistic spaces and, best of all, spaces where all three intersect. I love working with young people and am excited to see where these Future Leaders take us and what incredible change they will generate.

Beyond work, I love being outside, paddling, running, skiing, picking berries, generally goofing about in nature. I also love the art of creating - so I love knitting and crocheting, cooking and canning, and making bread. (Photo below)

Nicole Rondeau

Northern Tutchone - Tagé Cho - Little Salmon / Carmacks First Nation, Yukon

Nicole Rondeau is both Northern Tutchone and Acadian, Crow Clan member of the Tage Cho Hudan. Nicole is a proud Northern Tutchone and follows her traditional teachings that has been handed down for generations (Dan ki). She began her political career as the Deputy Chief of LSCFN in 2019 and was elected as the first female Chief in 2020. She was a member of three Chiefs committees such as Fisheries, UNDRIP and Mining. Nicole holds a Bachelor of Arts in Indigenous Governance with a minor in Renewable Resource Management. Nicole has had the honour of working under the teachings of her Northern Tutchone Elders, Knowledge Keepers and Colleagues in many of Yukon's First Nations Communities; these relationships and teachings have influenced her approach to education. Through a student-centred and an indigenous approach to this work, she strives to create systemic change within post-secondary spaces and increase mental health literacy and skills for educators, students, and community members Chief Tom has been an advocate for the Salmon since she began her research and studies in 2017. She strongly believes in the preservation of the original agreements, culture, the traditional ways and the respect towards her community’s keystone place (the Yukon River) and the keystone species (the Chinook King Salmon).

Zakayla Netro

Vuntut Gwichʼin, Old Crow / Whitehorse, Yukon

My name is Zakayla Netro. I am a Vuntut Gwitchin citizen, growing up with a unique and beautiful culture as well as guidance from my family and grandmother. I feel very passionate about rebuilding the connection between humans and nature. Through practicing this, I hope that more people will understand the importance this connection brings to the world.

I feel a strong calling to pursue a career focused on protecting the environment. I see myself advocating for sustainable practices and wildlife, and many subjects under that category, driven by a desire to preserve the beauty and cultural heritage for future generations. My journey reflects not only on myself but also on the youth and their voices, driving positive changes to be engaged.

Through this program, I am looking forward to deepening my understanding of effective leadership in environmental programs and exploring creative strategies for addressing climate change. I am excited to collaborate with like-minded individuals and learn from experienced mentors and community members.

In my free time, I enjoy spending time with family and friends. In the summer, I love being outdoors, paddleboarding, hiking, and running. Honestly, just absorbing all the sun and warm weather while we have it. I have done some public speaking and different workshops covering similar topics. I look forward to growing personally and professionally through this experience.

Juliette Greetham

Non-Indigenous, Whitehorse, Yukon

I’m Juliette Greetham, a 20-year-old bilingual in French and English, born and raised in the Yukon amidst its stunning wilderness and the Yukon River, which served as my childhood playground. Even now, I find solace in the great outdoors, fostering a deep appreciation for our fragile ecosystem. Passionate about advocating for causes close to my heart, I leverage my studies in entrepreneurship to innovate solutions for various challenges.

My journey has led me through diverse programs and organizations, spanning sciences to civics, always seeking to expand my knowledge and skills. Currently, I am excited to participate in Swim and Speak With Salmon, where I aim to deepen my understanding of the salmon species' role in its traditional territory. I am eager to grasp both the spiritual and cultural impact of salmon on the communities they coexist with.

During this experience, I am committed to learning traditional knowledge and scientific insights about salmon. My goal is to advocate for their rights and educate others on their vital significance, inspiring greater care and conservation efforts.

Matty Mead

Non indigenous, Whitehorse, Yukon

Hello! My name is Matty Mead and I’m a born and raised Yukoner of settler ancestry. After graduating from a 2 year Climate Action Leadership program on Vancouver Island, I realized there was no place I wanted to be more than home. I’m currently on a gap year, trying to apply what I learned to make an impact on my community.

Growing up here, I feel deeply connected to the land and the water, it’s hard not to when you are surrounded constantly surrounded by beautiful, inspiring and resilient ecosystems! Joining To Swim and Speak with Salmon has helped me find my voice in advocating for the home I love, which is changing rapidly in the face of climate change.

When I’m not thinking about how awesome salmon are, I like to play guitar, cook and sleep in my hammock.

Carissa Waugh - Ékè Éwe

Kwanlin Dun First Nations with family ties to Little Salmon / Carmacks and Taku River Tlingit First Nations

Carissa Waugh, also known by her Northern Tutchone name Ékè Éwe (meaning Caribou Hoof Noise after her late Great-Grandma Emma Shorty), is Kwanlin Dun First Nation belonging to the Crow Clan. Carissa is an Ambassador for the Reconnection Vision. She graduated from the Yukon First Nations Climate Action Fellowship in February 2023 but continues to do advocacy and work for the Fellowship. Over the past few years they’ve been working with Yukon First Nations (YFN) Youth, Leadership and Communities to collaboratively develop a YFN approach to climate action that is grounded in our holistic values and worldviews. In early 2023 they released the Reconnection Vision, a Pathway for Change from the Children of Tomorrow. They invite others to learn about this transformative work, to reflect on your own reconnection journey and experiences, and to be part of the solutions in the ways we live, learn and work. Carissa also represents the Assembly of First Nations Yukon Region in the National AFN Women’s Council where she will represent all Yukon First Nations women. Carissa runs her at-home business called Ékè Éwe Art where she sells her beadwork across Canada, using the art to bring awareness to Indigenous issues such as Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and 2 Spirit People, Every Child Matters, Reconciliation, and even Climate Change.

Johnathon Robinson

Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in First Nation

I am a Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in First Nation citizen, born and raised in Dawson City, Yukon. Growing up, I was taught to respect the land and all its inhabitants; my parents taught me traditional methods of hunting and fishing that have stayed with me and guided me through life. My passions for land preservation, climate and environmental advocacy, culture preservation, and food security are shown through my work with the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in Teaching and Working Farm. Through my year-round work on the farm, I not only provide food for the community but also foster connections between elders, youth, and the land, all while promoting wellness. The Swim and Speak with Salmon initiative is significant for me, as it aligns with his commitment to climate action, salmon advocacy and cultural revitalization.

Francis Prince-Jr

Yupik – Village of Kotlik

Waqaa (Hello in the yupik language) my yupik name is Ikipacuk (Ikie-ba-juuk), my English name is Francis Prince Jr. My parents are Frances Prince Jr and Sara Prince. My dad is from a old village called Chaniliut (Chan-eelie-yut) (also called Chanieliak), old village located about 4.5 miles down river from Kotlik, Alaska. My dad’s parents are the late Fredrick Prince and Pauline (Prince) Hunt. My mother Sara Prince is originally from St. Michael, Alaska. Her parents are the late John Cheemuk Sr and Mary Cheemuk. I was raised in Kotlik, Alaska which is located at the North Mouth of the Yukon River and 116 miles south of Nome, Alaska. Kotlik is a small village with population of approximately 750 people. For many people who live in Alaska’s rural areas, salmon are an essential food source, making them a cultural cornerstone of the native’s subsistence way of life. Salmon means a lot to me growing up, as I eat many different types of fish making it one of my main diets. Northern Pacific Fisheries, along with all the trawling that is going on in the Bering Sea needs to be shut down. Canada and Alaska should get ahold of Whale Wars, famous boat the Sea Shepherd’s to help with trawling issues in Alaska’s Bering Sea. Sea Shepherd’s sole mission is to protect and conserve the world’s oceans and marine wildlife. In which they work to defend all marine wildlife from whales and dolphins to sharks and rays, to fish and krill without exception.

Commercial fishing was basically the main source of income for most villagers beginning in the late 1970s to late 2000s. I grew up commercial fishing with my dad, he would bring the whole family commercial fishing except we would just stay at the camp while he goes and check his nets. When I was a young boy, I would help with subsistence fishing before helping with commercial fishing. I would go fish camp with my aunt and uncle to help with the dry fish. We would make our way to fish camp after subsistence herring fish was taken care of in May to end of May. To catch our subsistence herring fish we would travel to the village of St. Michael to help my grandma Mary, late aunt Alberta Steve, and late uncle Tommy Cheemuk. While we helped with subsistence herring fishing, my dad would commercial fish for herring with 2 of my uncles from St. Michael, Alaska. My mother, my brother, and I would travel with my auntie to their fish camp if my dad was busy preparing for commercial fishing. If my dad had time he would bring us to my uncle Victor fish camp. My auntie and her late husband are Hilma Tonuchuk and the late Victor Tonuchuk Sr. My other uncle and aunt that I would help as well are the late Emmanuel Keyes and Mary Keyes. There were no jobs in the villages except commercial fishing.

While at fish camp helping with subsistence fish, the chores would be packing water to get the fish cleaned before the women start cutting them, clean the fish after they are gutted, hang the fish on the fish rack, there was always play time after the fish was taken care off. The seasons would fall perfectly to the type of subsistence gatherings that are being done, for instants spring time when there is ice on the river its bird hunting, followed by bird egg gathering, then when the ice is gone its subsistence herring fish, after the herring fish is salmon subsistence fishing, when the fish are put away comes the rainy season of the summer, then after the rainy season of the summer is berry picking time, and followed by fall season hunting and subsistence gathering. When the fall season comes around, we would fish for broad white fish, shee-fish, and Bering cisco after the river freezes. There was so much to do living a subsistence way of life, not many live it anymore.

Alicia Staples

Little Salmon Carmacks

My name is Alicia Staples, and I am a citizen of the Little Salmon Carmacks First Nation. I grew up in Carmacks, Yukon, and I carry a deep connection to the land, water, and salmon that sustain our people and culture. I am currently a full-time student in the Yukon Native Teacher Education Program (YNTEP) at Yukon University, where I am preparing to become a teacher in my home community.

I have worked in a variety of community-centered roles, including as a lifeguard for the Village of Carmacks, a speech therapy assistant at Boreal Clinic, and as a youth advocate and program leader with YFNED and YCAO, where I supported research on systemic racism in Yukon education. I have also served on the Little Salmon Carmacks First Nation Hiring Committee, where I contributed to ensuring fair and inclusive processes for our community.

My passion for youth, language, and cultural revitalization has guided me toward advocacy and education. I believe that reconnecting with salmon, water, and land is not only about environmental stewardship, but also about restoring identity, resilience, and knowledge for future generations. Through To Swim and Speak with Salmon, I hope to strengthen my role as an advocate and educator, and to support the voices of Indigenous youth in creating a stronger and more sustainable future.

Paul McCarney

Non indigenous, Old Crow, Yukon

I support the program in my roles as a YukonU faculty member and Director of Natural Resources and Heritage with the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation (VGFN). I grew up in Ontario, where I spent many important years involved in political and environmental activism, playing in punk rock bands, canoeing, camping, hunting, and fishing. I am deeply committed to social and political justice movements and am strongly guided by the idea that “the personal is political.” I also have a steadfast commitment to buying books and love to read.

Since 2011, I have been working and living throughout northern Canada. I had the opportunity to complete a PhD working with communities in Nunavut on research focused on marine wildlife. I spent several years living in Nunatsiavut (the Inuit self-government region in Newfoundland and Labrador), coordinating social and environmental research programs. I continue to work on research in Nunatsiavut focused on plastics in the environment and wild food.

I moved to the Yukon in 2021 and began working at YukonU as a researcher and instructor. I am involved in several research projects across the North focused on knowledge co-production involving social scientists, natural scientists, and community researchers grounded in anti-colonial, feminist, Indigenous, and Western conservation science research methodologies. I am passionately committed to research and work that supports the connections between wildlife conservation and political justice. In 2024, I moved to Old Crow to begin working for VGFN.

Beans

Whitehorse, Yukon

Born in July 2020, Beans is a Carmacks special blend chihuahua cross and has been on a co-learning journey with Nika as she learns Dän K'í and has attended many gatherings and events with her, including, May Gatherings, GAs and handgames.

Beans has mastered the skill of paddleboarding and is currently working on his longboarding skills.

Beans spends his days teaching his littleBig sister/assistant the art of war and wrestling and likes a little ceasar snack in the evenings.

Nimbus

Whitehorse, Yukon

Born in October 2024, Nimbus is a great Pyrenees Cross ranging on the small size. Some of Nimbus’ favourite things include: sticking her head out the car window, jumping into the shower when it's turned on and sitting pretty for treats.

Nimbus spends her days bugging the Barketing Officer and learning how to be as cute as possible.

Franklin

Whitehorse, Yukon

Franklin is a brave little kitten born in March 2025. He has quickly become the star of the office where his specialty is charming people who previously 'didn't like cats'. Franklin loves spending time with people, chasing his favourite toys, and sneaking in a few cheeky ankle bites when you least expect it. Whether he’s sleeping on his favourite chair or plotting his next toy ambush, Franklin brings endless joy and energy to every day.