The River Strategy
for a beautiful and healthy
St. Lawrence River
– a framework for community action –
Our Vision
The aim of the River Strategy is to facilitate inclusive and equitable communication and collaboration along the Upper St. Lawrence River to achieve the shared goal of a beautiful and healthy St. Lawrence River for all.
We envision the River Strategy as a hub where individuals or groups engaged in research, remediation and restoration, community projects, and events can access information, foster partnerships, and work together towards shared goals.
To learn more about what the River Strategy hopes to achieve, please see the draft framework below (March 2023).
Who is involved?
The primary focus of the River Strategy is the Upper St. Lawrence River, spanning from Kingston/Cape Vincent to Lake St. Francis. Anyone with an interest in the river and its tributaries is welcome to be a join of this initiative.
To indicate your interest in this initiative, please fill in our survey linked below.
River Symposium 2022
River Strategy Akwesasne Meeting 2023
River Strategy Presentation 2022
Akwesasne Community Meeting 2023
Workshops
Past Workshops
March 9th, 2023
River Strategy Workshop
We would like to invite those who work on or care for the river to attend our virtual St. Lawrence River Strategy workshop to participate in reviewing a draft framework. The aim of this workshop is to collect feedback from you about how you envision your organization engaging with the strategy and recommendations for moving forward.
February 15, 2023
Akwesasne Community Meeting
On the evening of February 15th, we gathered at the Akwesasne Housing Authority to discuss the River Strategy’s draft framework, allowing the community to provide input and insights. This feedback will be incorporated into the final framework document. Here we also shared a meal, thoughts , and concerns about our waters’ past, present and future.
May 17, 2022
River Strategy Workshop
On the morning of May 17th, we hosted an online workshop to discuss the River Strategy with interested organizations from Ontario, Quebec, Akwesasne, New York, Canada and the United States. Over 65 individuals from 32 organizations participated. This meeting will help inform us in creating our draft framework.
May 11, 2022
Akwesasne Community Meeting
On the evening of May 11th, we gathered together at the Akwesasne Housing Authority to discuss the River Strategy and the Akwesasronon relationship to the Kaniatarowanenneh (Big River). Here we shared a meal as well as thoughts and concerns about past, present and futures of our waters.
29th Annual River Symposium
October 26, 2022
River Institute’s River Strategy Coordinator, Emilie DeRochie, and Mohawk Council of Akwesasne’s Environmental Projects and Remedial Action Plan Coordinator, Britney Bourdages, had the opportunity to present the River Strategy to local scientists and community members at the 29th Annual River Symposium held in Cornwall, Ontario.
Have your say!
How do you envision your involvement in the River Strategy? What should the Strategy include?
Take our quick 5-minute survey
or
Contact us to schedule a one-on-one meeting.
The St. Lawrence River Institute and the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne have partnered to lead the development of the St. Lawrence River Strategy, through a Two-Row Wampum approach.
Emilie DeRochie
River Strategy Coordinator,
River Institute
ederochie@riverinstitute.ca
Georgia Bock
Remedial Action Plan Coordinator St. Lawrence River (Cornwall/Akwesasne) Area of Concern,
River Institute
gbock@riverinstitute.ca
Britney Bourdages
Environmental Projects and Remedial Action Plan Coordinator,
Mohawk Council of Akwesasne – Environment Program
britney.bourdages@akwesasne.ca
Dr. Leigh McGaughey
Program Leader – Research and Community Engagement
River Institute
Abraham Francis
PhD Student, Clarkson University
