ADVOCATE - RECONNECTING YOUTH WITH LAND-BASED ACTIVITIES
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Winter 2020/21
T H E O F F I C I A L M A G A Z I N E O F T H E C H I E F S O F O N TA R I O
ADVOCATE
RECONNECTING YOUTH WITH
LAND-BASED ACTIVITIES
ADAPTING TO A NEW NORMAL
THROUGH INDIGENOUS RESILIENCY
+ CHIEFS OF ONTARIO HOST
TOGETHER APART ONLINE
CHIEFS ASSEMBLY
BALANCING ART
AND SCIENCE
PM#40787580
Q&A WITH INSTAGRAM
KEEPING THE MOMENTUM GOING ARTIST AMBER SANDY
PLANNING FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS What is FMB? Who We Work With • Optional, non-profit, First Nations-led institution • 309 First Nations across Canada participating in the FMA • Mandate established in 2006 by the First Nations Fiscal • 28 in Ontario with a Financial Administration Law Management Act (FMA) • 24 in Ontario with a Financial Performance Certificate • Upon request, provides support in developing sound • 5 in Ontario with Financial Management System (FMS) finance and administrative governance practices Certification: Chippewas of Rama First Nation, Chippewas • A national organization that supports First Nations of the Thames First Nation, Nipissing First Nation, across Canada Temagami First Nation and Wasauksing First Nation • Professional services are offered free to First Nations Real Outcomes and Benefits Additional Benefits • FMB supports First Nations that wish to develop a • FMS Certification provides a framework; when followed, Financial Administration Law (FAL) and/or seek one of provides long-term stability and continuity through strong our certifications administrative governance and finance practices • Financial Performance (FP) Certification is a point in time • FMS Certification increases transparency and analysis on the overall financial health of a First Nation accountability to members and future partners • FAL + FP Certification provides a pathway to borrow • Capacity Development services include free tools and money from the First Nations Finance Authority (FNFA) training, which may improve the management of the First • FNFA lends money to First Nations on favourable rates Nation’s finances and risk management and terms • FMB supports their clients with long-term planning and • Access to long term affordable financing assists First vision beyond the 7th generation Nations to implement their community development plans As a result of the FMB / FNFA process, First Nations across Canada are implementing their social and economic development plans. Outcomes include: New schools, land purchases, road and utility projects, wellness centres, green energy projects, housing developments, social programs, machinery and clean water projects. Interested in learning more about FMB? Call 1-877-925-6665 or email us at mail@fnfmb.com
contents WINTER 2020/21
VOLUME 5 l ISSUE 2
FEATURES
14
ADAPTING TO A NEW NORMAL
Chiefs of Ontario host historic
Together Apart Online
Chiefs Assembly
16
14
COMMUNITY PROFILE
Lessons learned from the
pandemic: Wiikwemkoong
Unceded Territory
18
ANISHINABEK NATION ANNOUNCES
NEW ONLINE RESOURCE
A co-learning Treaty education
journey for students and teachers
20
NIIZH MANIDOOK HIDE CAMP
Creating a safe space for
Indigenous youth, women and
Two-Spirit community members
22
NIMKII AAZHIBIKONG
Rebuilding relationships to
the land
25
RECONNECTING YOUTH WITH
LAND-BASED ACTIVITIES
Adapting to a new normal
16
through Indigenous resiliency
30
BALANCING ART AND SCIENCE
Q&A with “Bead with Us”
Instagram artist Amber Sandy
32
COMING FULL CIRCLE
Support during COVID-19:
ensuring our health wishes
are respected
4 l Issue 2 2020/21 – Chiefs of Ontario Advocate magazine
22 25
Advertorial
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contents The Chiefs of Ontario ADVOCATE magazine
is the official voice of the COO. Published two
times per year, the magazine focuses on the
main priorities of the organization. The goal of
the publication is to expedite COO’s mission to
COLUMNS & DEPARTMENTS
facilitate discussion, planning, implementation
and evaluation of all local, regional and national
matters affecting Indigenous Peoples in Ontario.
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34 STAFF PROFILE: C
armen Jones, Director of Health, Research
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Editorial Contributors l Chiefs of Ontario
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Genna Benson, Nikita Day, Marci Becking,
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36 MEDIUMS: President
Kevin Brown
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Noopiming: The Cure for White Ladies Robert Thompson
by Leanne Betasamosake Simpson Director, Business Development
Michael Bell
•
Indians on Vacation by Thomas King
Branch Manager
•
Seven Truths by Tanya Talaga Nancie Privé
All rights reserved. The contents of this publication
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All My Relations by Matika Wilbur & Adrienne Keene may not be reproduced in whole or in part, without
the prior written consent of the Chiefs of Ontario.
•
Dog Flowers: A Memoir by Danielle Geller Published February 2021
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21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act Publication Mail Agreement #40787580
by Bob Joseph dvocate is printed on 10% post-consumer
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42 PROFESSIONAL SERVICES DIRECTORY
6 l Issue 2 2020/21 – Chiefs of Ontario Advocate magazine
MESSAGE FROM THE ONTARIO REGIONAL CHIEF
Implementing
Land-based
Learning During
the COVID-19
ROSEANNE ARCHIBALD
Pandemic
Ontario Regional Chief
W
ahcheeyay, Aanii!
Welcome to the ninth edition of the official Chiefs
of Ontario magazine, Advocate.
As Ontario Regional Chief, I would like to welcome
our first-time readers and share a heartfelt thank you to our readers who
continue to return to our pages. I also want to express my sincere appre-
ciation for everyone who has generously donated their time and efforts
to make this edition a success.
It has now been one full year since the first confirmed COVID-19
case in Canada. It is amazing to see individuals, families and commun-
ities finding resiliency and strength during this time in history. I want to
acknowledge all First Nations in Ontario who are displaying extraordi-
nary leadership in the protection of their communities.
Our main goal during this pandemic is to achieve zero new
confirmed and zero active COVID-19 cases in First Nations communi-
ties. We are well into the second wave, and our cases remain lower than
the provincial and national averages.
As a part of my office’s pandemic response, we created a COVID-19
Initiatives Team who provide research, data analysis and documents to
support First Nations as they respond to COVID-19. One of the initia-
tives was the development of a Land-Based Learning Guide. The purpose
of this guide is to provide basic information needed to implement land-
based learning as a method of educating students safely and successfully
during the global pandemic. The guide includes a summary of land-
based learning; the benefits, obstacles and outcomes; sample curricula;
steps for implementation; and sample budget costs and funding sources.
The Land-Based Learning Guide is an example of First Nation
people’s deep connection to the lands, waters and animals around them.
Our teachings include the sacred responsibility to live in harmony
with and protect Mother Earth. I encourage all people to find ways
to connect to their traditional lands and territories. The land is a safe
place, a source of healing, and it will continue to support us as we move
through the pandemic.
Ninanaskamon!
8 l Issue 2 2020/21 – Chiefs of Ontario Advocate magazine
ADVOC AC Y • INCLUSION • OPPORTUNIT Y • GROW TH
JOIN US TODAY!
MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS
Information: We provide information sessions and networking events targeting
relevant topics and projects for business expansion in Northern Ontario.
Guidance: We develop best practices for major First Nations development
projects and non-First Nations businesses related to procurement policies and Brian Davey
human resource polices focused on inclusion. Board Director
Moose Cree First Nation
Enhanced Communications: Members will have better access to economic
buyers and key decision makers in Northern Ontario through our business
directory and special events and conferences.
VIP Privileges: Members will be the first to know about special discounts on all
events and access to new programs for doing business in Northern Ontario.
For more information or to become a member,
visit www.anishnawbebusiness.com,
email info@anishnawbebusiness.com or call 807-357-5320.
Tony Marinaro
Board Director
The Anishnawbe Business Professional Association is a non-profit, member- Naicatchewenin First Nation
based organization with an office in Thunder Bay, Ontario. We serve the First
Nation business community and express positions on business issues and other
public issues relevant to First Nation business, on behalf of its members.
We provide a forum for the First Nation business community to develop policies
and programming which contribute to the socio-economic well-being and
quality of life of First Nations peoples in Northern Ontario. We also serve non-
First Nation businesses by providing information, guidance, and access to a
wide-ranging network.
Serving Treaty 3, Treaty 5, Treaty 9 and Robinson Superior and Robinson Huron areas. Jason Thompson
Secretary/Treasurer
Red Rock Indian Band
Jason Rasevych Ron Marano Steven McCoy Rachael Paquette
President Vice President Board Member Vice President
Ginoogaming First Nation North Caribou Lake First Nation Garden River First Nation Mishkeegogamang First Nation
FROM THE COO’S DESK
Hunting,
Gathering &
Reconnecting
to the Land
TRACY ANTONE
During COVID-19
Chief Operating Officer, Chiefs of Ontario
S
hekoli
On behalf of the Chiefs of Ontario Secretariat, I would like to
welcome you to the ninth edition of the official Chiefs of Ontario
magazine, Advocate.
Like many Indigenous peoples across the country, First Nations people
have drawn on cultural strengths to weather the COVID-19 pandemic.
Communities across Ontario are finding creative ways to take care of each
other, despite limited resources, preparedness and vulnerability.
This edition of Advocate showcases the vital work carried out by First
Nations leadership in recent months, with an in-depth exploration into a
few of the many First Nations communities who mobilized to protect their
citizens amidst the COVID-19 pandemic through the revitalization of trad-
itional harvesting practices, food security and conservation.
This edition also features the stories, knowledge and leadership of First
Nations educators, who have embraced land-based learning as a way to
balance education with minimal disruptions while following COVID-19
public health recommendations in their back-to-school plans.
It is remarkable to see our communities come together during a time
like this. Our leadership has been proactive in educating their communities,
mobilizing social and economic solidarity and being present where they are
most needed.
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic within
our communities, we are committed to working
Keep the circle STRONG together with our Board of Directors, Leadership
Council, First Nations leadership and intergovern-
mental partners to ensure all First Nations in our
region have the resources they need to respond to
DO YOUR PART COVID-19 and continue their essential work. We
KEEP THE are also ensuring a tailored approach to communi-
cation by working hand in hand to ensure our
STAY STAY COMMUNITY SAFE advocacy work and development of effective
2 METERS 6 FEET unified strategies and strength-based approaches
APART APART that address First Nations key priorities.
For COVID-19 By working together, staying connected and
information and ensuring proper engagement, we will continue
updates visit: this momentum of moving critical priorities to
the forefront and ensuring First Nations have a
https://www.coo-covid19.com full equitable recovery post-pandemic.
10 l Issue 2 2020/21 – Chiefs of Ontario Advocate magazineFINANCIAL INCLUSION, EXPANDED
SERVICES AND A BETTER POSTAL SYSTEM
FOR FIRST NATIONS AND THE NORTH
It’s time to learn about and meet the needs of Indigenous
communities. We can improve services and create new
ones—like postal banking or a restored and improved
Food Mail program—that will promote inclusion, equity,
employment, and access.
DeliveringCommunityPower.ca
facebook.com/DeCoPo.CollectivitesDurables @DeliverComPowerNew
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consistency. LFlettKruger@jflglobal.com.hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
LFlettKruger@jflglobal.com.hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhEXPERIENCE YOU CAN RELY ON.
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Jarislowsky, Fraser Limited has been a proud partner of Indigenous
communities since 1999. This ongoing relationship is built on a
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entrusted to us is paramount to ensuring the long-term prosperity of your
communities. As such, we are committed to designing portfolios
customized to each client’s specific needs, with the objective of
preserving capital and providing long-term growth.
As your partner, Jarislowsky Fraser and its related foundations are
proud to support the following initiatives:
• Scholarships for Indigenous students, in partnership with Indspire.
• Educating Sponsor of National Aboriginal Trust Officers
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position focused on providing safe drinking water and improved
sanitation to communities across Canada and around the globe.
• The Jarislowsky Fulbright Canada’s Visiting Research Chair in
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Adapting to a New Normal
COO’s Together Apart Online Chiefs Assembly BY GENNA BENSON
A
historic day – for the first success of the Online Chiefs Meeting,
time ever, the Chiefs of First Nations leadership welcomed the
Ontario hosted their Together opportunity to resume meeting virtu-
Apart Chiefs Assembly ally as a way to continue efforts on
entirely online with more than 200 new and high-level priorities for First
attendees, including Chiefs, delegates Nations, including COVID-19, policing
and technicians, with participation from and justice, climate change and post-
all regions and organizations. Those pandemic equitable recovery.
in attendance discussed and provided “I want to thank our partners, terri-
insight on various topics, including torial and community leaders for their
infrastructure, economic development, attendance and everything they’ve done
Bill 197, the Environmental Assessment to ensure this meeting was a success.
Act and the COVID-19 First Nations In this moment of crisis, we have all
Emergency Response. come together as Nations in the fight
“During this meeting, we were able to against COVID-19,” says Regional Chief
truly listen to our Nations’ leadership in Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief Glen Hare RoseAnne Archibald. “I especially wish to
a new way,” says Ontario Regional Chief acknowledge the efforts of the Chiefs of
RoseAnne Archibald. “Our communities have been at the forefront of the Ontario staff, political office staff, Harold
COVID-19 emergency since it began
and have gone to remarkable lengths to
keep our communities and citizens safe.”
The meeting provided those in
attendance with an opportunity to foster
dialogue and work collectively to move
forward on critical priorities and further
enhance intergovernmental collabora-
tion, while also reiterating our shared
experiences and the challenges presented
by COVID-19. Leadership also agreed
on the importance of all government
levels to continue the COVID-19
support in ensuring First Nations emer-
gency response needs are met.
COVID-19 has changed our world,
and while it has devastated econ-
omies globally, it has also provided the
opportunity for First Nations leader-
ship to make dramatic changes to keep
communities safe and promote socio-
economic recovery. Building on the Chief Dean Sayers, Batchewana First Nation
14 l Issue 2 2020/21 – Chiefs of Ontario Advocate magazineTarbell and Tap Resources in preparing and implementing
this online assembly.” Chiefs of Ontario Launch
The Chiefs of Ontario is looking forward to working Chiefs Meeting Website
with First Nations leadership to build relationships, create
The Chiefs of Ontario has launched its new website, Chiefs of
effective strategies and foster dialogue alongside our
Ontario Assembly Center, which is designed to keep First Nations
partners, stakeholders and levels of government to ensure
in Ontario and leadership up to date on upcoming meetings!
immediate action in anticipation of the third wave of the
pandemic and creation of collaborative approaches to Learn more about upcoming events by visiting:
tackling First Nations priorities. In the coming months, the www.chiefsmeeting.com
Chiefs of Ontario will be hosting a variety of virtual events, Follow Chiefs of Ontario on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter
including the 15th Annual Health Forum and a Special @ChiefsOfOntario.
Chiefs Assembly.
Building Ontario’s As the province’s largest clean
power generator, we’re dedicated
future together.
to making Ontario the best place
to live and work.
We’re also committed to building
and growing long-term, mutually
beneficial working relationships
with Indigenous communities,
and ensuring employment
opportunities for Indigenous
people across our operations.
Learn more at opg.com
Issue 2 2020/21 – Chiefs of Ontario Advocate magazine l 15COMMUNITY PROFILE
Wiikwemkoong
Unceded Territory BY ASHLEY ALBERT
Keeping friends and family safe during COVID-19
T
he vibrant community of Wiikwemkoong has focused on this approach and have provided regular
Wiikwemkoong Unceded several different initiatives to help updates to the community to help put
Territory is located on the support the community throughout the them at ease.
eastern peninsula of Mani- pandemic. One such initiative focused As a result of the first positive case
toulin Island – or Odawa Mnis – in on educating their members about in May, Indigenous Services Canada
Northern Ontario, on the largest body the risks of COVID-19 and how best provided Wiikwemkoong with funding
of fresh water in the world. Wiikwem- to protect themselves individually. To support and allocated them with a
koong has a total population of 8,200, help achieve this, they put together an BLU-MED facility, which allowed the
with approximately 3,500 members online program within their education community to set up an asymptomatic
living in the community full-time. program. Another initiative was a food testing site. Since the second COVID-19
Wiikwemkoong is a unique First Nation security program to help members stay case was confirmed, the BLU-MED
community as they have not signed any in the community rather than travelling facility also geared up for symptomatic
treaties with the Crown or Canada. This out of the community for their basic testing, complementing two hospital
gives Wiikwemkoong an Unceded status needs. During April and May, the food testing centres as well as the mobile para-
over their lands, meaning that while security program was serving 800 homes medicine unit that goes around directly
treaties did take place in their area, they with weekly and biweekly food baskets. to homes.
are not signatories to it.
Ogimaa Peltier reports that Early on in the pandemic, many
Leaders in First Nations commun- Wiikwemkoong has had two confirmed community members supported the travel
ities across Ontario had to act quickly cases of COVID-19. The first case was
to protect their members once the restrictions and checkpoints. Like with
confirmed in early May in their long- any decision, there wasn’t 100-per-cent
COVID-19 pandemic was declared in
term care home. Once they received agreement on the approach, but a majority
late March, and Wiikwemkoong was no
word of the positive case, they advised of the community were very supportive
exception. Ogimaa Duke Peltier explains
the community through live media of all of the measures that the Council
that the first thing they did was pull all
updates and immediately requested Elder had approved based on recommendations
of their youth hockey teams from the
support to do a ceremony at the home. put forward by their health professionals.
Little Native Hockey League tourna-
ment that takes place in Mississauga over When a second case was confirmed Their approach has always focused on
March break. After making this decision, in early December, the Council was educating community members using
they held community discussions on questioned and called on to reinstate different platforms. “The support for
how best to prevent COVID-19 from the checkpoint. Since they had gained our approach has been second to none,
entering their community. They ultim- more experience and information about because the community adherence to it is
ately decided to call a state of emergency, COVID-19, it was determined that their still maintained,” says Ogimaa Peltier.
issue a travel restriction and set up a approach would be a more robust testing The messaging to community
checkpoint for people coming in and out regime through a full contact-tracing members continues to be that the best
of the community. program. They have been successful in approach to protecting themselves, their
16 l Issue 2 2020/21 – Chiefs of Ontario Advocate magazinefamily and community is to adhere to a result of restrictions and the inability
the public health guidelines – physical to travel safely. Because of the restric-
distancing, minimizing travel, mini- tions, community members have had
mizing contact with others outside of to find other ways to cope. Ogimaa
your home and washing your hands. Peltier explains that members aren’t
While the biggest concern amidst always using good ways to cope, and
the pandemic for Ogimaa Peltier is the this has led to heightened addictions in
health and safety for all of his citizens, he the community.
is also concerned about the inability for But on the positive side of things, the
community members to interact socially. pandemic has helped to boost the local
Wiikwemkoong had to get creative economy as people are more inclined
on how to allow social interactions in to shop closer to home. Community
spite of the health recommendations. members are realizing that they don’t
They did allow for some special events necessarily have to travel to get their
that were controlled with health and essential goods and services.
safety at the forefront, including a large
community event for Halloween. “We Additionally, a manufacturing plant
set up a haunted trail. Everyone who for FN95 masks opened in November
attended was screened and they were at Wiikwemkoong’s industrial park.
provided health information. It was The business, Dent-X Canada, rents
controlled in the sense that access was one of their buildings, hiring a number
provided to a limited number of people of community members on a full-time,
at a given time,” explains Ogimaa Peltier. ongoing basis.
“A lot of families did come out even with Ogimaa Peltier wants to share the
the safety measures in place. They were following message for everyone: “We all
very appreciative of the fact that we did have an individual responsibility to keep
it with safety in mind.” our families and communities safe. We
A negative impact of the pandemic need to applaud all of the efforts of the
on community members is that their health-care professionals in our commun-
mental well-being has been impacted as ities for stepping up during this time.”
Photos courtesy of WBE Communications.
Improving Health & Wellness
with First Nations-Designed
Digital Health Tools
Issue 2 2020/21 – Chiefs of Ontario Advocate magazine l 17ANISHINABEK NATION
Anishinabek Nation Announces
New Online Resource BY MARCI BECKING, ROBINSON-HURON TREATY TERRITORY
A co-learning Treaty education journey for students and teachers
T
he Anishinabek Nation kicked off the fifth annual
Treaties Recognition Week in Ontario with a virtual
news conference and sneak peek of the new online
treaty education resources that will be released in
spring of 2021.
Kelly Crawford, citizen of M’Chigeeng First Nation and
Assistant Director of Indigenous Initiatives at the University of
Toronto – Scarborough campus, is the project lead for devel-
oping the new resources.
“Treaty education should be happening all year round, not
just during Treaties Recognition Week or National Indigenous
Day. The online resource will be a co-learning journey for both
teachers and students,” says Crawford. “I talk with teachers from
various school boards, and for years their collective comments Isaac Murdoch, Knowledge Keeper from Serpent River First Nation,
around treaty education is the same: ‘Why wasn’t I taught this?’ shares teachings in the online treaty education resource.
‘What if I don’t have the answers?’ In education, we are tasked
with supporting the ongoing growth and development of our It will be set up like a game board. And how does the LEGO
students. I see a parallel here in regards to the teaching profession. wampum belt fit in? As one completes the various lessons, the
We are also tasked with the ongoing growth and development of LEGO belt will click into place like puzzle pieces. The books
ourselves; teaching is not intended to be stagnant. The journey of are based on their respective stories of building an 800-piece
understanding the treaty relationship and one’s role within it can LEGO replica Treaty of Niagara wampum belt and the 250th
be a collaborative, co-created journey with the teacher and the anniversary of the Royal Proclamation at Niagara Falls.
students. It is okay to take that journey together and have clear
discussions of the realities in which we live. As an educator, you Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief Glen Hare
have such great influence for the future leaders of this province. participated in the virtual news conference held on November
Educators have a role in the story of the treaty relationship… 2. He was promoting the current resources that were developed
long before recommendations from the Ipperwash Inquiry
perhaps you are facilitators of a much-needed truthful discussion
Report and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report.
of connection to land and reconciliation via education.”
“We’ve been saying for years that the treaty education, public
Based on the elementary “We are all Treaty People” teachers
education will help eliminate racism,” says Grand Council
guide and the Alex Shares his Wampum Belt and Dakota Talks
Chief Hare. “We’re supporting teachers and students by making
about Treaties books, the online resource will feature videos of our treaty kits into online resources so that they can still learn
different knowledge keepers. The characters Alex and Dakota about First Nations and the treaty relationship while at home or
are actually Alex Hebert from Dokis First Nation and Dakota in the classroom.”
Bellissimo from Nipissing First Nation, leading the students
and teachers to different worlds to explore along with them. Various virtual events were held by Lakehead University
in Thunder Bay and through the Indigenous Affairs Office of
Ontario. The First Nation, Métis, Inuit Education Ontario
organization of educators held teacher-training sessions during
the week prior to Treaties Recognition Week.
Some northern Ontario radio stations – Moose FM
North Bay, Moose FM Sturgeon Falls, Moose FM Algoma/
Manitoulin, Moose FM Espanola and Rewind 103.9 Sudbury
– are all permanently identifying the Robinson-Huron Treaty
Territory in their legal identification on an hourly basis. The
hope is that more radio stations will join and identify where
they are in Ontario.
In addition to the physical copies of the books, e-books are
now available to order through www.goodminds.com.
The sneak peek video found on the Anishinabek Nation
YouTube channel, youtube.com/user/AnishinabekNation.
The Anishinabek Nation announces the current development of an online interactive treaty To order Anishinabek Nation treaty education resources,
education resource that will be available in spring 2021. please e-mail orders@anishinabek.ca.
18 l Issue 2 2020/21 – Chiefs of Ontario Advocate magazineGet your First Nations
Housing Professional
(FNHP) Certification!
The FNHP Certification Program Do you have 7 years or more of housing experience?
There are two paths to certification:
If so, the Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR) path
1. The Course Path
may be for you! The FIRST 50 applications through the PLAR
For those with less than 7 years of housing experience
path are FREE!! After that the application cost is $650.
2. The PLAR Path
Learn more at www.fnhpa.ca.
For those with 7 years or more of housing experience
Support available! If you are looking to take the PLAR path, we
Course Path have fully funded support available to help you get your portfolio
completed! Contact info@fnhpa.ca or call 1-800-360-6114 for
Register online for the First Nations Housing
more information.
Professional Program to take the courses necessary
to be certified as a First Nations Housing Professional
(FNHP)! Or, take a course to support your ongoing Are you eligible for free membership?
professional development!
Your first candidate membership may be available free of
If you have taken SAIT, VIU or CEGEP Garneau charge if you have taken the SAIT, VIU or CEGEP Garneau
housing courses, you may be eligible for course
housing courses, or if you are working in First Nations housing in
exemptions! For more details on the courses and
Manitoba. Contact info@fnhpa.ca or call 1-800-360-6114 for
potential exemptions, check out www.fnhpa.ca.
more information.
All five courses will be offered in an online format:
As a member of FNHPA, you can look forward to:
Online: Fully online for an 11-week period. $850 for
members and $1,000 for non-members (per course). • The opportunity to participate in professional development,
training and workshops
Fall Semester: September - December.
• Reduced rates for the FNHPA conference
All courses will be offered in the online format in and tradeshow
the Fall semester.
• Support and assistance in the First Nations Housing
The courses can also be delivered to private groups Professionals program and in the pursuit of the First Nations
such as Tribal Councils, First Nations, etc. Housing Professional (FNHP) designation
Contact info@fnhpa.ca or call 1-800-360-6114 for • Opportunities to contribute to FNHPA research and
more information. development of standards
www.fnhpa.ca info@fnhpa.ca 1-800-360-6114OFNYPC
Niizh Manidook Hide Camp
Creating a safe space for Indigenous youth,
women and Two-Spirit community members
N
iizh Manidook Hide Camp The fall is an especially busy time for a couple months so insects clean
is a traditional hide tanning as we are cleaning up and storing excess meat off them for us. Then we
revitalization initiative for many hides that are donated and turn the leg bones into hide tools and
Indigenous youth and Two- brought to us through our networks toe bones into awls and needles.
Spirit community, based in the Southern and connections with hunters. We
We believe that the more people
Georgian Bay (Manidoo Gaming) region store hides during the fall for the
skilled and knowledgeable in hide
and the Lake Huron, Lake Ontario and following spring’s hide-tanning season.
tanning, the more we will be able
Lake Erie watershed. We harvested natural dyes like black
to return the honour of tanning the
walnut and hemlock bark to dye
Preserving and restoring the trad- hide and using all possible parts of
some rawhides this winter. In this
itional art form of hide tanning in our the animal provided to us with when
way, we are always connecting with
homelands while creating safer spaces they give up their lives. Over time,
the seasonal cycles through our hide
for Two-Spirit/LGBTQ+ community with more knowledge sharing and
work. This fall we’ve received deer and
members and Indigenous youth, women (re-)building, we will be able to save
moose hides from the Georgian Bay,
and girls to access hide tanning culture Lake Couchiching, Lake St. Clair, hundreds, if not thousands of deer and
camps and learning opportunities, with Walpole Island and Mattawa regions. moose hides in our homelands, many
programming that uplifts Two-Spirit, of which are discarded during the hunt
non-binary, trans people and women in It’s been so incredible to see the every year.
leadership and teaching roles. deep transformation that a hide under-
goes from start to finish – that a hide We’re currently working on an
During the COVID-19 pandemic, can come directly off a deer or moose educational booklet on one method
we have been connecting to land, water, in the fall and start out covered in hair, for brain tanning deer hide. Niizh
animals and harvesting through our hide- flesh and blood, but through hard work Manidook Hide Camp is collaborating
tanning practices. This year started with they can become beautiful rawhide or with a hide tanner Nehiyaw Elder and
our youth hide-tanning apprenticeship smoked buckskin that can be made an Anishinaabekwe youth artist from
program, where two Anishinaabek youth into countless handmade items. Along Serpent River First Nation to create an
had learning and mentorship opportun- with the animal’s brain that we store illustrated educational hide-tanning
ities in deer hide tanning. We transformed to use in the brain-tanning process, booklet. The booklet will also include
a few deer hides into beautiful smoked we also save and process the deer and Anishinaabemwin words and phrases
hides and have been making a few deer moose legs. We clean up the legs and to use while hide tanning. The booklet
rawhides, as well. toe bones and bury them underground will be available in printed and e-book
20 l Issue 2 2020/21 – Chiefs of Ontario Advocate magazineform in winter 2021. We hope this
resource will help more Indigenous
people in the Great Lakes region to
engage with and begin their relation-
ship with hide tanning when they have
an opportunity to store a hide. Having
a visual resource will help others learn,
especially during self-isolated times,
where in-person learning opportunities
are really limited.
Although these are uncertain times for
gathering, we will be hosting a socially
distanced hide-tanning culture camp in
Springwater Park, north of Barrie, Ont.,
in August 2021 and in Moraviantown,
southwest of Aamjiwnaang (Sarnia), in
August 2022. Advance registration for
our Springwater camp will be mandatory
and we will be limiting our participation
numbers to adhere to COVID-19 guide-
lines for next summer’s camp.
We will also run our youth hide-
tanning apprenticeship program,
starting up in spring 2021. Look for
our call out for youth based in Simcoe
County or surrounding areas to partici-
pate in the hide-tanning apprenticeship
next spring.
Connect with Us!
Stay up to date on our programs,
events, booklet releases and other
happenings by following us online:
Niizh Manidook
Hide Tanning Camp
@niizh_manidook_hide_camp
niizhmanidookhidecamp.com
niizhmanidookhidetanningcamp
@gmail.com
"Opening Doors to our
People since 1992"
Issue 2 2020/21 – Chiefs of Ontario Advocate magazine l 21OFNYPC
Nimkii Rebuilding relationships to the land
Aazhibikong
T
he Nimkii Aazhibikong
Eshkiniigjig formed in 2019
with the purpose of recon-
necting to our traditional
territory and reclaiming our language
and traditional practices. Practices
that were once so commonplace and
necessary to the survival of our nation
seemed to be nearly lost in our home
community, so we set forth with the
intention to ensure that never happens.
We dedicated ourselves to be carriers
of knowledge in whatever form they
Connecting Learn more about our:
• Programs still open for Winter/Summer start
are passed along to us so that we could
form the great chain of keepers back to
people through • Spring/Summer 2021 Indigenous our ancestors.
Transmedia Fellowship
Indigenous Build your future at Humber
We come from Serpent River, where
perspectives. humber.ca/indigenous
a great snake formed the watershed and
made their home beneath the stone.
Being from Serpent River, we know the
22 l Issue 2 2020/21 – Chiefs of Ontario Advocate magazinehurt of land loss and how environmental As young people growing up in
tragedy impacts the lives and cultures of the aftermath of such destruction, we
entire communities and land-based prac- learned firsthand how devastating extrac-
titioners. An entire generation of prac- tivism can be on Indigenous commun-
titioners were absorbed into the nuclear ities. Our basket makers warn us about
industry and our homelands labeled the putting the bark between our lips. Or
“Uranium Capital of the World.” Our the fish, they stop running, and we wait
lands opened for extraction, our bodies years for their return. We know these
equally extracted as our old ones entered
things and we witness the change in the
into the depths of the mines, believing
community. We feel the loss that comes
that this was all for the best and continu-
when the connection to land is severed.
ally being told that there was no harm to
be done until the day our river ran and Today, we also know firsthand
no life existed within it. what happens when the relationship to
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Issue 2 2020/21 – Chiefs of Ontario Advocate magazine l 23OFNYPC
the land is rebuilt and how that,
too, changes us as individuals, as
family and as a community. We see
children leave too fast and return as
strong, brave young people. We see
babies take their first teetering steps
back on the land, their first baskets
made, their first moose harvest and
so many berry-stained smiles in
the summer sun. We see healing
songs being sung in the berry fields,
sweet laughter in the sugar shack,
small hands cupping cold sap to
drink, stirring sap to sugar. We see
many steady hands pulling in fish
nets, cutting flesh from skin. We smell
smoked fish, smoked hides, and when we
close our eyes we see it all coming back,
stronger with each coming generation. It
is an honour to be part of this and to do
this reclamation work.
As much as we know the violence of
existence in a colonial world, we know
more the opposite. We know lateral
love, unconditional love and support.
We know muddy waters, fast- and
slow-moving, fish schools so dense
we see a thousand glowing eyes, their
bodies smooth and swiftly dashing
JFK Law represents Indigenous communities throughout Canada. circles around our feet. We know round
We work with our clients to advance their Nations, protect their rights stones, thick upright birches and the
and build their economies. thunderous pop of their bark releasing
from the trunk. We know the shimmer
Driven by a passion for justice, we offer creative legal solutions
of the poplar leaves silver and green, the
and work towards meaningful change.
soft hush of them rattling songs into
the breeze. We know the rich scent of
cool earth, hard clay and damp leaves.
Litigation and Dispute Resolution Consultation, Accommodation We know our place in this cycle, as
Using the courts strategically to and Regulatory Review participants and not conductors of the
inevitable change of seasons, spring to
advance your Aboriginal Making the Crown respect the
fall, and adjust ourselves accordingly.
and Treaty Rights duty to consult and accommodate We know communal responsibility –
how to give and receive. As much as we
Complex Negotiations Capacity and Governance learn, we know nothing. We are eternal
Securing and implementing your Helping build strong, students, eager listeners, active observers,
empty vessels with our hands splayed
community’s rights through sustainable communities
open, trying to pass along the small
complex negotiations learnings we can catch and hold before
they slip away. We know hard work,
Victoria Office Vancouver Office generosity and real, soul-quenching love
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816 - 1175 Douglas Street 340 - 1122 Mainland Street
Victoria, BC V8W 2E1 Vancouver, BC V6B 5L1 This is what the Earth has taught us.
One day, when it is our time to return
Working Together for Justice and Reconciliation to her, we will do so with the knowledge
www.jfklaw.ca that we did all that we could to live in
accordance with her laws.
24 l Issue 2 2020/21 – Chiefs of Ontario Advocate magazineYou can also read
