Leon Andrew, Research Director
Leon Andrew is a Shúhtaot'ı̨nę elder with the Tulı́t’a Dene Band. He is our Research Director and Chair of the Nę K’ǝ Dene Ts'ı̨lı̨ (Living on the Land) Forum. He served as a Special Advisor to the Ɂehdzo Got’ı̨nę Gots’ę́ Nákedı (Sahtú Renewable Resources Board) for many years. He has been an advisor to Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada and the Government of the Northwest Territories on Transboundary Water negotiations with Alberta. Leon was an Access and Benefits negotiator and served on the Canol Heritage Trail Committee for the Tulı́t’a District during 2004-2006. He has also served on the Board of the Tulı́t’a Land and Financial Corporation. Leon has provided his research expertise on numerous traditional knowledge studies, assisted and advised GNWT Archeologists from the Prince of Wales Museum, and is also an experienced interpreter in Dene and English languages. He was an active trapper in the Tulı́t’a area and has first-hand experience of both the positive and negative effects of exploration activities on the environment and traditional economy of the Northwest Territories.
Recognized as one of the Sahtú Region’s most experienced researchers, Leon now serves in a leading capacity in various regional, national and international research programs involving research and monitoring: the NWT Water Stewardship Strategy, Mackenzie River Basin Board, the Canadian Mountain Network, Northern Water Futures, and Ărramăt: Biodiversity Conservation and the Health and Well-being of Indigenous Peoples (a network proposed to the New Frontiers in Research Fund of Canada’s research Tri-Agency). He represents the SRRB on the NWT Conference of Management Authorities and the NWT Species At Risk Committee.