Guardians Gathering
Guardians Gathering
Guardian Lake Babine

WILLIE BERTACCO

Lake Babine Nation Guardian

My name is Willie Bertacco. I am a proud Lake Babine Nation member, born and raised on our lands.

During COVID, our Nation formed several committees focused on key areas like wildlife, fisheries, governance, and mining. I joined the wildlife committee alongside other LBN members because we shared a common goal: to see our own people out on the Yintah (territory), actively monitoring and working to understand the moose population, a vital resource our members have long depended on.

Over the last 10 to 20 years, we’ve seen a noticeable decline in moose across our territory. As Guardians, our first major project was a grizzly bear DNA study, aimed at understanding whether predator activity — something we’ve observed firsthand, might be linked to the drop in moose numbers.

As a Guardian, I’m proud to serve our people and our territory. We’re committed to collecting our own data, using both science and Indigenous knowledge, to help restore and protect moose populations for future generations.

 

Other Guardians

Guardian Lake Babine

STEVEN BAYES

I love being a Guardian because I was raised on the land, I have worked in several sectors in the bush, from brushing and weeding, Archaeology to Mineral Exploration. I have a open perspective on industry working in our territory and will be an asset to assure that LBN best management practices and culturally sensitive areas are properly protected and worked on. 

I love that I have the ability to teach our youth the  knowledge and culture that I was tough, the rights of passage that I have learned can also be passed down, to give our youth an opportunity to experience our territory and show them what our territory has to offer for self healing.

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Guardian Lake Babine

DUANE WEST

I took on this role because I love the outdoors, hunting, fishing, and being on the land. I want to make a real difference for our people and future generations. As Guardians, we are the eyes and ears of the land. We work closely with conservation officers, supporting their efforts across a vast territory. It’s all about protecting what matters so that one day, my kids can enjoy the land the same way I do

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Guardian Lake Babine

MURPHY PATRICK SR

Murphy Patrick Sr. is the Natural Resource Sector Liaison for Lake Babine Nation. With deep roots in the territory and decades of experience, Murphy plays a key role in advancing the Nation’s stewardship priorities. He works closely with leadership, Guardians, and partners to ensure that natural resource activities align with the values, rights, and long-term vision of Lake Babine.

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