Delivering urban Anishinabek engagement through partnerships
Grand Council Chief Glen Hare at the Community Engagement Session in Ottawa. – Photo by Lisa Abel
By Tammy Desmoulin
and Mary Laronde
The Community Engagement Strategy 2013-2014 focussed on the Anishinabek Education System, the supporting Anishinabek Nation Education Agreement, constitutional development as a means to implement self-governance, and teachings on the traditional Clan System of Government.
This year’s CES included outreach to the many Anishinaabe People residing in urban centres through the Anishinabek Nation territory.
These urban events were made possible through valued and kind partnerships with the Native Canadian Centre of Toronto, the Odawa Native Friendship Centre in Ottawa, and N’Swakamok Friendship Centre in Sudbury.
The urban portion of the CES kicked off at the Native Canadian Center of Toronto on Jan. 15. There were 55 participants, including Anishinabek Nation E’Dbendaagzijig (those who belong) from as far away as Pic River First Nation to the Chippewas of Georgina Island. The CES session also attracted interest from Cowessess First Nation in Saskatchewan, and Toronto educators and students.
On Jan. 28, the CES at the Odawa Native Friendship Center attracted 20 participants, including New Democrat Member of Parliament, Charlie Angus (Timiskaming-James Bay), a long-time advocate for funding equity for First Nations children and youth. Participants included Anishinabek from M’Chigeeng, Serpent River, and James Bay, board members of the Odawa Centre, and Darren O’Toole, a law professor at the University of Ottawa.
N’Swakamok Native Friendship Centre in Sudbury was the next CES host, with 30 participants gathered there on Feb. 11. The N’Swakamok Juniors drum group opened the event with an uplifting song. The N’Swakamok Juniors were led by Darren McGregor, Aboriginal Homelessness and Housing Support Worker at the Centre.
Among the participants were personnel from the Wabnode Center for Aboriginal Services at Cambrian College, including Director Richard Oullet.
“As the new Director of the Wabnode Centre for Aboriginal Services at Cambrian College, I was very interested in meeting members of the Union of Ontario Indians,” said Oullet. “I am very impressed with the work that has been done on education and see a lot of potential for Cambrian to work with UOI in creating better learning outcomes for First Nation Students in Ontario. I am excited by the opportunities and thank the organizers and presenters for allowing me to be present. I look forward to working with the UOI.”
Also in attendance was Susan Manitowabi, Professor – Laurentian University’s School of Indigenous Relations and Indigenous Social Work Program.
“It is wonderful that the Anishinabek Nation is taking the initiative in developing our own Anishinabek Education System,” said Manitowabi. “It’s about time we stopped trying to fit into the standards of Western society. This is what we have been forced to do since the arrival of the Europeans to our land. We have had to conform to another people’s culture and way of life mainly through their education system. The Western education system has made us ashamed of our way of life and has instilled a belief among ourselves and other Canadians that our way of life and educating our children and youth are inferior to theirs. Our ways are not inferior, just different and they have worked for us long before their arrival. The development of an Anishinabek Education System is a step towards restoring who we are as Anishinabek people.”
The next CES event will be held at the Anishinaabemowin-Teg Language Conference at the Kewadin Hotel and Conference Center in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, March 26 – 30, 2014.
Contact Community Relations Officer, Tammy Desmoulin 705-497-9127 or by email tammy.desmoulin@anishinabek.ca.