Grand Council Chief Engages with U.S. Policymakers on Environmental and Economic Concerns
Anishinabek Nation leaders engage U.S. policymakers on Great Lakes conservation, Indigenous rights, and tariffs
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief Linda Debassige is in Washington, D.C., from March 5 to 7, participating in the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative Annual Great Lakes Day. She joins Tribal Leaders, Canadian mayors, and elected officials advocating for the environmental health and economic prosperity of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River Basin.
During the event, Grand Council Chief Debassige will meet with U.S. Senators and House Representatives to discuss pressing issues, including the threats posed by new U.S. tariffs and the need for increased conservation efforts.
Defending the Great Lakes and First Nations Livelihoods
“The Anishinabek Nation calls the Great Lakes Basin home, and we continue to face evolving challenges that threaten these sacred waters,” said Grand Council Chief Linda Debassige. “Now, the proposed 25% tariffs could further impact many of our First Nations, making it harder to invest in wetland protection, invasive species prevention, and cultural conservation.”
She emphasized the importance of advocacy and Indigenous-led solutions to protect water, lands, and economies on both sides of the border.
A Call for Indigenous Leadership in Great Lakes Governance
Grand Council Chief Debassige stressed that First Nations must have a seat at the table in decision-making processes regarding the Great Lakes ecosystem.
“We call for immediate action to prevent further economic hardship on First Nations and Tribes while safeguarding the Great Lakes’ natural and cultural heritage. Our inherent and treaty rights depend on a sustainable ecosystem, including water quality and quantity,” she stated.
The Importance of the Great Lakes
The five Great Lakes—Superior, Huron, Michigan, Ontario, and Erie—represent:
✅ 20% of the world’s freshwater supply
✅ A drinking water source for 40 million people
✅ A habitat for 4,000+ species of plants and wildlife
Each region of the Anishinabek Nation—Northern Superior, Lake Huron, Southeast, and Southwest—faces unique challenges, from invasive species to nutrient loading and wetland loss.
About the Anishinabek Nation
The Anishinabek Nation represents 39 First Nations in Ontario, advocating for approximately 70,000 citizens. As the oldest political organization in Ontario, it traces its roots back to the Confederacy of Three Fires, which existed long before European contact.
With environmental and economic pressures mounting, the Anishinabek Nation continues to push for stronger protections, Indigenous leadership in conservation, and economic policies that reflect the needs of First Nations communities.
