Xiaolei (Steven) Yu

Project Summary: As a Postdoctoral Fellow, my research focused on the historical land use/land cover change in the Mistawasis Nêhiyawak First Nation and Muskeg Lake Cree First Nation. Back in the 1960s to 1980s, a large amount of band lands was surrendered to non-indigenous owners. From the 1990s to now, the bands are recapturing fields, and registering them as reserved lands. However, the recaptured lands are not identical to the surrendered lands. My research is to investigate the historical land use and land cover change of these band lands, including surrendered and new-purchased fields as well as the surrounding regions through remote sensing imagery. The study of land stewardship and land ownership for these two First Nations will towards a common goal of improving the surrounding environment while committing to the protection of Indigenous values, treaties, communities, lands, and resources.

Internal Mentor: Dr. Melissa Arcand, Dr. David Natcher and Dr. Christy Morrissey

External Mentors: Katherine Finn, Bridge to Land Water Sky Living Lab and Steve Wiig, Muskeg Lake Cree Nation