The Spirit of the Land panel featuring (from left) Katelyn Peters, a Munsee Delaware Nation member on the Eshki-niigijig Advisory Council; Northern Superior Regional Chief Mel Hardy and Getzit Nmishomis James Mishquart, both from Biinjitiwaabik Zaagiing Anishinaabek; and Angel Ransom from First Nations Major Projects Coalition. The Spirit of the Land panel took place at the Anishinabek Nation’s 9th Annual Land and Resources Forum in North Bay from February 11-13. – Photo by Laura Barrios
By Kelly Anne Smith
NORTH BAY—Opening the Anishinabek Nation’s 2025 Lands and Resources Forum on February 11 in North Bay, Ont., Ookomis Donna Debassige from Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory recited the Chi-Naaknigewin preamble, Ngo Dwe Waangizid Anishnaabe (One Anishinaabe Family).
Nipissing First Nation Gookmis Evelyn McLeod gave Anishinaabemowin words of wisdom, as did Mishoomis Richard Assinewai of Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory, the Anishinabek Nation’s Head Getzit.
Mishoomis Assinewai reminded Forum participants to care for our gifts the Anishinaabe way.
“It’s time to start rising. To start speaking. Start speaking for the lands, the people, language, treaties – everything. Start speaking for it. Protect it. We have a gift in that Preamble (Ngo Dwe Waangizid Anishinaabe). We do it our way, not somebody else telling us how to do something.”
During the Anishinabek Nation Leadership panel, Southeast Regional Chief Marsha Smoke commended the Lands and Resources Department for all of the data collected and worked on and the input from communities, providing the foundation for political advocacy. Northwest Regional Chief Mel Hardy said the province is coming across the land, not taking consideration for the Spirit of the Land.
Northwest Regional Chief Hardy has been working alongside Angel Ransom, a Nak’azdli Whut’en First Nation member who helps communities with environmental assessments. Ransom is the vice-president of environmental services with First Nations Major…