Environmental talk at NU marking Treaties Recognition Week
Nipissing University is marking Treaties Recognition Week with an important discussion about protecting water and land resources for future generations.
Titled She Speaks Alongside the Water, the panel discussion features Autumn Peltier, Paige Restoule, Stephanie Peltier, and Dr. Carly Dokis. It is organized as part of the 250 Living Library events taking place across more than 60 communities throughout Ontario this fall in conjunction with Treaties Recognition Week.
She Speaks Alongside the Water takes place on Wednesday, November 8, at 11:30 a.m. in the Nipissing University Theatre (room F213). The event is free of charge and all are welcome. The event will also be live streamed here for anyone who cannot make it to the theatre.
“We are honoured to be able to host this important discussion and to welcome our students, faculty and community members to listen, learn, share their thoughts and hopefully get inspired to learn more and affect positive change,” said Tanya Lukin-Linklater, Director of the Office of Indigenous Initiatives at Nipissing. “We are all treaty people; treaties impact all Canadians. Similarly, our environment is a shared responsibility.”
“Living Libraries are a big part of Treaties Recognition Week. Having Indigenous speakers share their perspectives and knowledge on treaties with students really helps create a better understanding of the treaty relationship. It also brings us all closer together on the journey towards reconciliation. I’m very proud of Nipissing University, as well as our other post-secondary partners, for facilitating this Living Library event,” said David Zimmer, Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation.
Autumn Peltier is a noted Water Ambassador and an Anishnaabe youth from Wikwemikong. She is currently nominated for the International Children's Peace Prize by Kids Rights Foundation. This summer, during the Assembly of First Nation’s general assembly in Regina, she participated in the signing a treaty against the expansion of Alberta’s bitumen fields.
Paige Restoule is a Master's of Environmental Studies student at Nipissing University and an Anishnaabe youth from Dokis First Nation. Her research and current work focuses on land based and culturally based work with youth and community in Dokis First Nation.
Stephanie Peltier is Autumn Peltier 's mother. She is a water advocate who will speak to the Anishnaabe understandings of water.
Dr. Carly Dokis is an allied Associate Professor of Anthropology at Nipissing University whose research, funded by the Social Sciences and Research Council of Canada, has been in relation to Indigenous peoples and communities. Her current research is regarding land use mapping and traditional stories of the land in Dokis First Nation.
The Treaties Recognition Week Act, 2016, designates the first week of November as Treaties Recognition Week. Through programming and on-line resources, Ontario is creating new opportunities for everyone in the province to learn more about treaties, treaty rights and treaty relationships.
The Living Library program supports schools and organization to invite Indigenous speakers to share their knowledge and perspectives on treaties. Many school boards and three universities are hosting Living Library events from Thunder Bay to Moose Factory to Toronto for Treaties Recognition Week. The province works with Indigenous partners, school boards and educators to offer the Living Library program in addition to resources to raise awareness about treaties.