SAULT STE. MARIE, ON – EDUCATION – The Anishinaabe Initiatives Division (AID) and the Department of Geography and Geology at Algoma University are hosting a symposium, titled “Gdo Akiiminaan Ganawendandann (Taking Care of our Land): Exploring Aboriginal Land Management, Planning and Use” from May 5th – 6th at the Days Inn and Suites.
The purpose of this symposium is to begin exploring the inclusion of cultural and traditional practices of land management, planning, and use for Aboriginal communities in Northern Ontario. This symposium will create awareness regarding the discourse of land management, planning, and use, and will explore the appropriate steps to building capacity in Aboriginal communities. The needs of Aboriginal communities are diverse as they prepare to face contemporary challenges.
“There is a need to have more opportunities for the Aboriginal communities in Northern Ontario dealing with land issues. The symposium provides for the opportunity for presenters to come together and share their experiences, knowledge, and skills about the initiatives/projects they have completed, are in the process of completing or are in the planning and development stage,” said Judy Syrette, the Director of the Anishinaabe Initiatives Division.
The symposium will feature four keynote speakers. Pamela Perreault will present “Managing at the Margins: Aboriginal Land Management in Context” on Tuesday, May 5th at 9:30am. Judge of the Superior Court of Justice Stephen O’Neill will follow with “The Need for Reconciliation” at 12:30pm. On Wednesday, May 6th at 12:30pm, Cheryl Recollect will present “Using GIS to Inform First Nation Decision Making”. Dr. Karl Hele will close the symposium with “The Water is the Wrong Colour: Observations on the Impact of Borders and Treaties in the Bawating Region” at 7:00pm.
Symposium presenters’ topics will focus on all areas of land stewardship. Presentations will include academic papers, posters, workshops, and panel discussions.
Pre-symposium community tours will run on Monday, May 4th from 12:30pm – 4:30pm departing from the Days Inn and Suites. Tours will be of Garden River First Nation (the highway by-pass and joint venture initiative) and Batchewana First Nation (the Bow Lake renewable energy project and joint venture initiative).
To register or to find out more about the presenters, please visit www.algomau.ca/taking-care-of-our-land.
The symposium is open to the public.