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Cultural Resources

The Georgian Bay Biosphere is situated in Anishinaabek territory, as recognized in the Robinson-Huron Treaty of 1850 and the Williams Treaty of 1923. Indigenous peoples in the area are of Ojibway, Chippewa, Odawa and Pottawatomi lineage who are united by a common language, kinship and clan memberships. Mohawk people from the Haudenosaunee Confederacy also reside in the area and have historical connections to both southern and eastern Ontario. Parry Sound area is now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples.

We at GBB are partners in service of mother earth – her body, the water, the fluid in her veins and the air that she brings as she gazes to the sky world, to grandmother moon and grandfather sun on which the UNESCO Georgian Bay Biosphere (GBB) is fortunate to be situated.

Kyla Judge, Indigenous Youth Coordinator, Georgian Bay Biosphere

The GBB is grateful to our Anishinaabek hosts: Dokis First Nation, Henvey Inlet First Nation, Magnetawan First Nation, Shawanaga First Nation, Wasauksing First Nation, Moose Deer Point First Nation, Chimnissing First Nation and Wikwemikoon Unceded Territory, for reminding us that we are accountable to All of Our Relations.

GBB is also accountable to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and honours the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s calls to action. Below you will find a collection of resources put together for cultural learning. If you have other resources to share, please contact Kyla Judge Cultural Programs Manager or Sherrill Judge Maawaanji’iwe Manager/ Gets People Together

Anishinaabek Territory

Cultural Centres

Anishinaabemowin Language

Anishinaabek Governance

  • Looking after Gdoo-naaganinaa: Precolonial Nishnaabeg Diplomatic and Treaty Relationships by Leanne Simpson
  • Alan Corbiere, The underlying importance of wampum belts

Colonial Treaties with the British Crown & Canada

Map of Treaties in Ontario

Royal Proclamation of 1763

Robinson Huron Treaty of 1850

Anishinaabek First Nations

First Nations territory within the UNESCO Georgian Bay Biosphere:

Mohawk Communities

Métis Communities

Indigenous Partners & Organizations

GBB Reflection Paper

Reconciliation in Action: Reflections on Reconciliation within the Georgian Bay Biosphere Region, Anishinabek Territory

Selected Learning Resources “GBB Staff Picks”

Books

Videos

Alan Corbiere, Begins shortly after the 1 hour mark.
Gathering maple sugar the traditional Anishinaabe way.
Understanding the Land Acknowledgement, York University.

Podcasts

Knowledge-Sharing

Tool Kits & Organizational Training

U.N. Year of Indigenous Languages

Do you have suggestions for more resources and learning tools? Contact us!

We recognize that there is much to be learned; the Anishinabek culture and language provides a strong sense of individual and collective responsibility and accountability to land, water and sky world and each other. In our learning, we are called to acknowledge past and ongoing harms (Truth) and actively seek means to support community in the roles they define for us (Reconciliation). To this end, we are starting to explicitly ask of ourselves and the community what specific actions of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission findings GBB should be undertaking and how local Indigenous communities want to engage with GBB.

Greg Mason, General Manager, Georgian Bay Biosphere

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With your support, we can expand our impact in the Georgian Bay region through conservation and education.

We are a registered Canadian charity #87100 1335 RR0001