Anishinabek Youth visits the Indigenous Great Lakes Network (IGLN) Annual Gathering

By Daynara Cyr

GRAND BEND, ONTARIO – I had the great privilege of attending the Indigenous Great Lakes Network (IGLN) Annual Gathering in Grand Bend, Ontario, from October 27–29, representing the Anishinabek Nation’s Eshki-niigijig Advisory Council, which supports the Nation Council. The theme of the Gathering was CREATE & COLLABORATE, continuing the IGLN era of ‘action’ and ‘doing’ that was set in motion after the November 2025 Gathering.

This week has been inspiring. Being surrounded by passionate, intelligent people of all ages, backgrounds, and fields, all coming together with a shared love for the Great Lakes is truly refreshing. The IGLN acts as a resource and support service for Indigenous communities, Nations, Tribes, and organizations, facilitating collaboration and knowledge-sharing to advance Indigenous research and monitor needs in the Great Lakes region.

We began the gathering by participating in a Water Ceremony and listening to beautiful songs shared by some of the kwewag in attendance. This grounded us in the work we had gathered to do and reminded us of the importance of our connection to the water. After lunch, we took part in land-based learning along Lake Huron with hands-on activities, including gill net sewing, seine netting, and fish tagging, processing, and testing.

On day two, we listened to amazing presentations highlighting the work being done across the territory to protect and care for our waters, including discussions on the Rice Lakes Legal Personhood and Rights of Nature initiatives, as well as a youth spotlight panel.

On our final day, we focused on networking, building connections, and identifying shared priorities for the organization through working groups. I attended the Youth and Intergenerational Transfer of Knowledge working group where several important points were raised, including incorporating cultural stories and ways of knowing into the organization’s governance, finding effective ways to reach youth, and challenging misconceptions about young people’s ability to meaningfully contribute to the IGLN and its working groups.

One of my biggest takeaways from this gathering is the importance of creating meaningful ways to share our knowledge and work with others across the Great Lakes in a good way, while protecting Indigenous data sovereignty and remaining grounded in mino-bimaadiziwin.

Miigwech to everyone who made this gathering such a meaningful experience. I look forward to continuing these conversations and the important work being done to care for our waters and strengthen connections across the Great Lakes.