08/28/2025
Earlier this month, members of our Conservation and Science and Conservation Education team travelled to Fort Smith, Northwest Territories, to take part in the annual Northern Whooping Crane Festival — a vibrant celebration of community and conservation. 💚
Hosted by the Thebacha Leadership Council (a collaboration between the Fort Smith Métis Council, Salt River First Nation, Tthebatthı Dënésułıné Nation, and the Town of Fort Smith), the festival marks the return of one of Canada’s most iconic and endangered birds to its nesting grounds in Wood Buffalo National Park.
From activities like bird-banding bracelet-making and a knowledge sharing talk, to a medicine walk and drum dance, we were grateful to connect with community members while sharing stories of whooping crane recovery.
Now in its second year, the festival brings people together through educational activities, crane-focused programming, and shared conservation stories — honouring the deep connections between people, place, and the recovery of the whooping crane.
