Jennifer Franks is the director of Indigenous relations at Toronto Zoo. This role was the first of its kind in any zoo across North America, and she was appointed to this position in October 2022. Franks is Red River Métis and a citizen of the Manitoba Métis Federation, which enhances her capacity to effectively connect with Indigenous communities effectively
She reports directly to the CEO, guiding the organisation as it brings contemporary science and traditional knowledge together to maximise impact on the natural world. Braiding these ways of thinking together is critical to serving the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation commission, addressing past mistakes and starting to build paths forward together.
Her role has an “inside-out” focus, building capacity for the zoo’s staff and volunteers while deepening ties to traditional territory holders and the urban Indigenous community. Franks has made this a values-driven role, helping everyone understand how critical it is to do things correctly, investing in relationships and personal connections, and then moving the shared projects and initiatives.
A few of the important outcomes Jennifer Franks has delivered in this role in the past year include the establishment of an Indigenous advisory circle to consult with and provide feedback to the zoo on programs, projects and strategic initiatives. She has also been a regular speaker at conferences and on panels, sharing the zoo’s learned experiences to build awareness of best practices and make space for increased Indigenous participation in these events.
Franks has worked with the Toronto Zoo team and First Nations community members to help honour animals that have passed away in the zoo’s care. This has established a new way of honouring animal lives and more formally recognised staff and volunteers’ needs when mourning these losses. This change reflects the zoo’s commitment to honouring mental health needs and traditional ways of respecting these species.