The 2025 Northern Whooping Crane Festival is being held in the beautiful Town of Fort Smith from Thursday, August 14th to Sunday, August 17th!
Explore the Thebacha region as we discuss the history, and future, of North America's most mysterious bird, the Whooping Crane!
This exciting event is being planned & facilitated by the following organizations:
Northern Life Museum & Cultural Centre
The Town of Fort Smith
The Fort Smith Métis Council
The Salt River First Nations
Tthebatthı Dënésułıné (Formally Smith's Landing First Nation)
GNWT Environment & Climate Change
Environment & Climate Change Canada
Aurora College — Aurora Research Institute
Parks Canada
For a detailed look at each event, head to the event page at https://www.nwc-fest.ca
Thursday, August 14th
All events at the Northern Life Museum
10:00AM -12:00PM
Welcome Reception & Opening Ceremony
2:00PM - 2:30PM
Presentation: "Southern Migration"
Presentation by Gary Perez, Secretary of Research, Training and Education for Indigenous Governance for the State of Coahuila Mexico, Pakahua peoples of Coahuila Y Tejas
4:00PM
Feeding the Water Ceremony
6:30PM - 8:30PM
Night Market w/ local vendors & artisans
Friday, August 15th
Events at the Northern Life Museum unless otherwise specified.
10:00AM - 11:30AM
Kid's Activities at the Museum.
— Whooping Crane Nest Building
— Whooping Crane Trivia
10:00AM -10:30AM
Presentation: "Title TBD"
Presentation by Nicolas Comerford of Parks Canada.
11:00AM - 11:30AM
Presentation: "Burning Questions: Wildfire Impact on Northern Snakes & Frogs".
Presentation by Johanna Stewart, PHD Student.
2:00PM - 4:00PM
Medicine Walk at the Fox Holes
— Bus Pick-Up at Museum @ 1:30PM
— Bus Drop-Off at Museum @ 4:30PM
4:30PM - 5:30PM
Fish Scale Art Workshop
Facilitator: Jennifer Buckley
7:00PM - 9:00PM
Whooping Crane Dance Party (Family Friendly)
At the Community & Recreation Centre
Saturday, August 16th
All events at the Northern Life Museum
10:00AM - 11:30AM
Kid's Activities at the Museum.
— Seed Bombs
— Friendship bracelet bird bands
10:00AM
Presentation: "Whooping Cranes on the Gulf Coast"
Presentation by Doctor Carter Crouch of the International Crane Foundation
10:45AM - 11:15AM
Presentation: "Title TBD"
Presentation by Ashley MacLaren of the Government of the Northwest Territories Environment & Climate Change Department
11:30AM - 12:30PM
Community Lunch
1:00PM - 1:30PM
Presentation: "Whooping Cranes Beyond Wood Buffalo National Park"
Presentation by John Conkin, Environment and Climate Change Canada & Diana Christie of Wilder Institute
1:30PM - 2:00PM
Presentation: "Back from the Brink: Whooping Crane Conservation Breeding & Reintroduction"
Presentation by Diana Christie of the Wilder Institute
2:15PM - 5:15PM
Fish Scale Dreamcatcher Workshop
Facilitator: Jennifer Buckley\
6:00PM
Community Drum Dance
Sunday, August 17th
10:00AM - 12:30PM
Pancake Breakfast in Memory of Ernie Kuyt
Taking place at Roaring Rapids Hall
1:00PM - 3:30PM
Guided Hike of the Salt Plains
— Bus Pick-Up at Museum @ 12:30PM
— Bus Drop-Off at Museum @ 3:45PM
