Alexander Duncan

Research Team, PhD Student | he/him/his

Aanii, Alexander Duncan (Niigaanweywidan) ndizhnikaaz, waabizheshii ndoodem, Neyaashiinigmiing ndoonjbaa. Hi, my name is Alexander Duncan and I was given the spirit name “coming sound” which is understood in the context of thunder - a herald of coming rain. I am a member of the Marten clan and a citizen of the Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation and the larger Saugeen Ojibway Nation (SON) with mixed Indigenous and European heritage. Presently, I am in my second year of my PhD at the University of British Columbia and with the Centre for Indigenous Fisheries. 

Saukiing Anishinabekiing (SON territory) comprises a significant portion of Lake Huron (and Georgian Bay). As a fishing nation, our fishery and connection to the waters is who we are. I personally feel a very strong connection and relational responsibility to those waters.This strong connection and relationship to Lake Huron is what brings me to this work. For several years, I have been involved in the SON fishery as an employee and researcher, helping to answer community questions and concerns about the ever changing state of our waters and fishery. Through this work, my colleagues and I have been able to centre our nation and SON-based ecological knowledge to inform decision-making and to advocate for greater involvement in fisheries management in our territory. 

The prospects and potential implications of this sea lamprey research excite me greatly. I hope to facilitate dialogue and progress on this central issue to the Great Lakes. I respect with honour and humility my role in this research as a storyteller and as both an Indigenous person and a representative of an academic institution. My intentions with this research are to engage in meaningful and much needed work, with the potential to improve Indigenous recognition and to advocate for better inclusion. Chi-miigwetch!