Reflections from the 2024 Nibi Gathering
Last week we returned from the Nibi Gathering in Bannock Point and wow, did nibi ever show its presence and power. Throughout the gathering there were many speakers that came to visit and share stories, some close and others far from their home fires. Together, under the warmth of the lodge, we heard them speak about their relationship to nibi and how they are holding water up in their communities.
We’ve put together a list of some of our highlights from the gathering which you can read below.
Niigan Aki — means Land First
Collective member Brenda Morrisseau, shared the creation story of Sagkeeng’s Niigan Aki guardians program and how her path led her to the program. Brenda shared stories from her life and how this connection to the land and people was shaped through her family who passed on to her these teachings. She explained the work that her and Nathan Dorie, the programs guardian mentor, have been doing this year which includes planting trees in their community to support shoreline stabilization and reintroducing native fruit plants back into their community.
What we can Learn from Tiikip and Songs from the frontlines?
During one of the breakout sessions, Judy Da Silva from Grassy Narrows shared teachings on Tiipsik (ice water) and shared songs that are carried amongst water protectors on the front lines. Judy emphasized the importance of showing up and supporting water protectors who are continuously living on the front lines to protect the lands and waters. As we sang these songs, Judy explained how bringing these songs to the frontlines is medicine and reenergizes our spirits in this fight. Together we learned these songs and sang them under the drizzling skies as nibi was all around us.
Clan Systems, their Roles in Relationality and Collective Responsibilities
Dabasaaniqwat (Peter Atkinson) from Rosseau River – Gave teachings on Clan systems and their roles in relation to each other and the roles and responsibilities we all hold. Dabasaaniqwat shared stories about the seven original clans: Bear, Deer, Marten, Fish, Crane, Turtle and Eagle.
Nibi Performance by KC Adams
KC Adams from Fisher River, led an interactive nibi performance where we all were able to connect our inner nibi through electric currents and hear the sounds we each create. KC shared how she prefers to call the work that she does “relational making” rather than art, as it allows us to recognize and honor the relationality and Indigenous knowledge that is woven within all creations from Indigenous artists.
During the performance, KC had participants hold one another’s wrists in a circle with the other one submerged in water held in clay vessels, connecting each vessel was an auxiliary cord with one end attached to a strawberry with the other attached to a sound board.
KC Adams Nibi Performance, 2024
Lessons from the Mutehekau Shipu Magpie River
We had the chance to meet and hear from Shanice Mollen-Picard and Lydia Mestokosho-Paradis, two Innu cousins from Ekuanitshit who both shared the story of their Nation declaring legal personhood for Mutehekau Shipu (Magpie River) that flows through their traditional territory. For the cousins the river is a living part of their family and relations. Hydro-Quebec is proposing to put dams on the river. They worked with regional municipalities and non-Indigenous allies to make a joint declaration and would be the first in Canada.
They also screened three of their short films that were produced about their stories.
Imagining a Lake Winnipeg Watershed Treaty
Throughout the gathering, we had set up a large Lake Winnipeg watershed map and urged everyone attending to place themselves on the map, as a way to connect ourselves within the watershed that we were sitting within.
During the last day, Daniel and Aimée Craft from Decolonizing Water shared some of the collaborative work we have been doing.
LWIC and Decolonizing Water closed out the gathering with a discussion about our work in developing a Water Treaty that spans across the Lake Winnipeg watershed.
