Source: Temagami First Nation – BI Blast | KAKONE GIIZIS 2024. See here for .pdf of the article with photos
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THE LIVING RELATIONS PROJECT
An evening of sharing in successful sovereignty of land, water and food sources.
A group of sixteen Indigenous food, land and water governance experts and academic researchers visited Bear Island as part of the inaugural gathering of the Living Relations research project that took place on Lake Temagami.
Speakers from Camp Wanapitei, Maori guests from Aotearoa and Mohawk guests from Tyendinaga and TFN Member, Amanda Paul with Marc Sams all gave engaging and thought provoking presentations.
The discussions and presentations were powerful, reminding us of our ancestors’ sacrifices and contributions. We were reminded that we have everything we need to reclaim our sovereignty, take control of our homeland, and change the current economic systems.
STATEMENT FROM COUNCILLOR MARY LARONDE
Being in right relationship to ou Creator’s gifts, to N’dakimenan, was the main message I took away. Our Maori guests spoke often of “reverence” for their homeland territories which they view as “ancestor”, a living being who belongs to itself and in some cases has legal personhood.
Something we should watch for is the major legal case that will begin in February 2025 about Maori water rights.
STATEMENT FROM PETER ANDREE, CO-DIRECTOR, LIVING RELATIONS PROJECT (Exerpt from Letter of Thanks)
We met for the inaugural gathering of our three-year project, which focuses on sharing stories of Indigenous-led food system sustainability initiatives between Aotearoa New Zealand and Canada. We felt warmly welcomed in N’Dakimenan by TAA Chief (and TFN Second Chief) Michael Paul and Councillor Mary Laronde from the moment we arrived at Camp Wanapitei. We deeply appreciated becoming acquainted with your waters and lands over the ensuing days, including the visit to beautiful Austen Bay by pontoon boats (piloted by Joseph Katt and Chief Michael) before arriving at Bear Island mid-day on August 21.
At Bear Island, we were once again welcomed with open arms and hearts. We thoroughly enjoyed the fish fry dinner of pickerel caught on Lake Temagami, followed by the discussion among Indigenous members of our team from Aotearoa and Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory as well as Amanda and Marc from Minawaa-Miidjim Harvesting and Gathering. I want to highlight the gratitude we heard in the questions and answers for the important work they do nourishing, strengthening, and passing on important skills within your community. It was also exciting to see how some of the concepts being developed by Māori communities in Aotearoa, such as the recognition of the rights or legal personhood of their mountains, forests and rivers, resonated with your community’s long-standing efforts to protect your own lands, waters and food sources in the face of colonialism.
We would love to continue working with your community over the coming years. Currently, Mary Laronde is an interim member of our Indigenous Advisory Circle. Her contribution has been significant, but Mary has stated that she is willing to hand over her role to someone else from the community if you wish to continue to work with us on research and knowledge sharing activities related to these issues.
In closing, we are all deeply grateful for your community’s hospitality, for the gifts we received in parting, and for the collaboration we’ve had on the Living Relations project to date. We welcome a conversation about how this might continue moving forward.
Chi Miigwetch
Peter Andrée, Co-director, Living Relations Project