Jenifer Brousseau, and Rhonda and Tom Kirby, receive award for inspiring leadership and community engagement to protect the Serpent River watershed, wetlands and Blanding’s turtles

VANCOUVER / UNCEDED xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh AND səlilwətaɬ TERRITORIES — In recognition of their inspiring leadership and community engagement to protect the Serpent River watershed, wetlands and threatened Blanding’s turtles, the Wilderness Committee is awarding the 2024 Eugene Rogers Environmental Award to Jenifer Brousseau, a member of the Serpent River First Nation in Robinson-Huron Treaty Territory, and Rhonda and Tom Kirby, residents of the Township of the North Shore, Ontario.  

For over seven years, the Kirbys have worked tirelessly to raise awareness about the potential detrimental environmental impacts of a proposed 100-year lease for a rock quarry near their home in the Serpent River watershed on the north shore of Lake Huron near Blind River. 

Through their grassroots volunteer group, North Shore Environmental Resource Advocates (NSERA), they have supported scientific documentation of critical habitat for a significant population of Blanding’s Turtles, a protected species threatened by the project. Their commitment to protecting water and wildlife has spurred and guided community engagement with all levels of government and has helped many to experience the pristine wetlands under threat.  

“We are honoured to be recognized by the Wilderness Committee with the Eugene Rogers Award. Our efforts have only been made possible through the support of many community advocates, local Indigenous land defenders and fellow environmental organizations,” said Rhonda and Tom Kirby. “We will continue to do what we can to ensure that the wetlands and wildlife of the Serpent River watershed are protected from unnecessary resource extraction.”

Jenifer Brousseau, an Anishnaabe/Cree and French interdisciplinary artist and teacher from the traditional territory of Serpent River First Nation, brought her creative energy and community connections to the campaign to protect the Serpent River watershed from destructive resource extraction. Through her engagement with elders and youth, and a documentary project titled “Ten Thousand Turtles,” she’s fostering and sharing Indigenous knowledge, ceremony and relationship building to guide the long term stewardship of these lands and waters.  

“In Anishnaabek teachings, turtles represent truth. This rare population of Blanding’s turtles is letting us know that this land and water needs to be protected,”  said Jenifer Brousseau, “It’s the responsibility of Indigenous People to honour that relationship and exert our sovereignty to protect our territory for future generations.”  

The involvement of the Indigenous communities of Serpent River, Garden River and Mississaugi First Nations has been a key factor in delaying the proposed quarry while consultation takes place. Tom, Rhonda and Jenifer have all played key roles informing the communities of the threats to water and wildlife. Most recently, they led the community in erecting a sign to mark the location as traditional and treaty territory of the Robinson-Huron Anishinaabek and as an Indigenous ceremonial site for species-at-risk.  

“Rhonda and Tom Kirby, and Jenifer Brousseau, are true examples of how dedication to land and water can inspire communities and build the connections necessary to propel people-powered environmental protections on the local level,” said Katie Krelove, Ontario Campaigner for the Wilderness Committee. 

“It has been a gift to organize with and learn from them as we continue to hold the government accountable to laws and regulations meant to conserve species at risk,” she added.

This year marks the 33rd anniversary of the Eugene Rogers Environmental Award. The Wilderness Committee presents it each year, accompanied by a $1,000 contribution, to individuals who demonstrate exceptional dedication to protecting the environment and fostering societal change. 

–30–

For more information, please contact:

Katie Krelove | Ontario Campaigner, Wilderness Committee
647-208-4026, katie@wildernesscommittee.org

Jenifer Brousseau
250-609-4787  brousseaujenifer@gmail.com

Rhonda and Tom Kirby
705-849-3370, rhondakirby@live.com