The United Nations General assembly has designated 2026 as the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP). There are currently 102 countries and 430 organizations supporting this initiative.  The purpose of the year is to promote an understanding and appreciation of rangelands around the world and the people who use them. The theme for the month of August is Indigenous Stewardship. The kihci-okāwīmāw askiy Knowledge Centre is partnering with the Meewasin Valley Authority to plan a gathering to discuss grasslands that will be held at the Northeast Swale in Saskatoon.

We recognize that some of our workshop participants do not live in Saskatoon, and some will be travelling this summer.  If you will be in Saskatoon on August 27, 2026, we hope you can join us for paskwāhk ka-māmiskōtamihk: A Gathering to Discuss Grasslands Conservation. Elder Roland Duquette will share insights into the grasslands as living cultural landscapes, where traditional knowledge, land-based practices, and language revitalization come together to sustain Indigenous heritage. Grounded in the deep relationships between people and place, this workshop highlights how stories, values, and identity are embedded within the grasslands themselves—offering a powerful perspective on their cultural and historical significance.

Registration opens on Monday, July 20, 2026, on USask's International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists webpage.