WINTER 2020 Anishinabek News Volume 30 Issue 1 Published quarterly by the Anishinabek Nation Winter 2020 During Day 1 of the fall Grand Council Assembly in London, Regina Mandamin and her brother Waasemon Niin were part of the Kwe-Wuk Council Blanketing Ceremony acknowledging their mother, late Josephine Mandamin and former Anishinabek Nation Chief Water Commissioner. – Photo by Laura Barrios Mandamin family Blanketing Ceremony held at Grand Council fall Assembly By Victoria Racette a teacher, an advocate and a role Anishinabek Nation leadership and the Anishinabek Nation Women’s LONDON— On Day One of the model; it was an honour to gift her communities,” said Regina. “It was Water Commission, she was a Anishinabek Nation Fall Assembly children with these blankets, in her a beautiful ceremony and our family prominent contributor and leader of held from Nov. 5-6 in London, memory.” appreciates the gifting of the blanket. the Great Lakes Guardians’ Council, Ont., the Anishinabek Nation Kwe- Kwe-Wuk Advisory Council It also reminded us of the impact she established under the Great Lakes Wuk Advisory Council and Social members, Marina Plain, Nora Sawyer, had on the community and people Protection Act. Development Department held a Donna Debassige and Veronica that she connected with.” “My mother would want people traditional Blanketing Ceremony Waboose, blanketed Josephine’s Josephine, citizen of to continue the work that needs to be to honour the late Josephine daughter, Regina Mandamin and Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory, done for our communities, the well- Mandamin, Water Walker and former her adopted son, Waasekom Niin. dedicated her life to protecting being of Mother Earth and of the Anishinabek Nation Chief Water During the Ceremony, the Eagle the water and giving it a voice. It water,” added Regina. “Just because Commissioner. Flight Drum filled the room with a was her life’s mission to share her she is not here physically, it does “Josephine has touched the lives beautiful honour song for Josephine message with the world – that water not mean that her work for the water of so many,” said Adrienne Pelletier, and her family. is a precious, sacred, basic element has ended – she always wanted the Director of Social Development for “Receiving the blanket was a huge required for all life to exist. Water is people to build a relationship with the Anishinabek Nation. “As a wife, honour and reminded me of how life. water and to ensure its protection for a mother, a grandmother, a friend, much my mother was loved by the As the Chief Commissioner of future generations.” WINTER 2020 Anishinabek News Page 2 The print edition of the Anishinabek News is a quarterly publication of the Anishinabek News. Views expressed are not necessarily the opinion or political position of the Anishinabek Nation/ Union of Ontario Indians. No portion of this paper, or online content, in- cluding advertisements, artwork, photos and ed- itorial content may be reproduced without writ- ten permission of the Anishinabek News Editor. Readers are invited to submit letters, articles, and photos for publication. Please include your name, address and telephone number on all material submitted. All submissions will be re- viewed for publication based on priority of inter- est and edited for clarity of thought, taste, brev- ity and legal implications. Remuneration will be paid for submissions only if a written agreement with the Editor is made prior to publication. For news all the time, visit: www.anishinabeknews.ca Editor: Marci Becking Assistant Editor: Laura Barrios Dr. Ronald Common, president of Sault College. — Photo by Laura Barrios Layout: Marci Becking Advertising: Marci Becking PH: 705-497-9127 ~ 1-877-702-5200 www.anishinabeknews.ca Anishinabek Educational Institute E-MAIL: [email protected] P.O. Box 711, Nipissing First Nation, North Bay, ON, P1B 8J8 celebrates 25 years By Marci Becking Current AEI diploma programs offered cohol Spectrum Disorder, First Nation Child The current circulation of the Anishinabek News is 3,000 copies. LONDON, Ont. — Thousands of stu- include Native Community Worker – Trad- Welfare Advocate, Personal Support Worker, dents have graduated from the Anishinabek itional Healing Methods, Binoojiingyag Ki- and Pre-Health Sciences. DEADLINE FOR Educational Institute (AEI) in the 25 years noomaadwin – Early Childhood Education, Please visit www.aeipostsecondary.ca or SPRING PRINT since its doors opened in 1994. EDITION Practical Nursing and Social Service Work- call toll-free 1-800-334-3330 for more infor- Some 100 people including AEI staff, er. Certificate programs include: Fetal Al- mation. March 5, 2020 founders, past students, Anishinabek Chiefs and citizens celebrated AEI’s success at For more information or inquiries to the Anishinabek a dinner at the Best Western Stoneridge in News related to circulation issues please call our London on Nov. 5. Toll-free number: 1-877-702-5200 All advertising inquiries can be sent to [email protected] Dr. Ron Common, president of Sault College, is one of the founding members of AEI. He fondly remembers other founding www.anishinabeknews.ca members, Merle Peghamagahbow, Peter Akewenzie and Lewis Debassige, who have ISSN 1182-3178 Anishinabek News (Print) now passed into the Spirit World. He also ISSN 1923-0710 Anishinabek News (Online) remembers the first health program AEI part- nership with Cambrian College. “The Anishinabek Educational Institute offered the first Anishinaabe course for prin- This issue of cipals. We were also the first institute to have a satellite office,” said Common. “Where do we go next with AEI? It should become a university with provincially-recognized de- the grees.” He attributes the success of AEI to the continuity of people. Anishinabek “People who are committed to AEI. People like Glenda St. Amour,” he said. “There was no point in having our own in- News marks stitute if it wasn’t the infusion of culture. There is a family spirit with AEI.” Southwest Regional Deputy Grand the 30th Council Chief Joe Miskokomon was Grand Council Chief of the Anishinabek Nation back in the early 1990s when the Union anniversary of of Ontario Indians moved from Toronto to Nipissing First Nation. The current head of- fice was built with AEI in mind. the print “What sets the Anishinabek Educational Institute apart is that it’s really student-fo- cused,” said Miskokomon. “The quality of edition! education delivery toward students success is the primary goal.” Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chi-miigwetch Chief Glen Hare said that there are over 100 students enrolled at the Nipissing and Mun- see Delaware campuses. to all our “AEI delivers on-site programming at the Munsee Delaware and Nipissing First Na- tion sites,” said Grand Council Chief Hare. readers! “There are community-based deliveries, on- site programming and blended deliveries all geared towards student success.” WINTER 2020 Anishinabek News Page 3 Ogimaa Duke Peltier, Anishinabek Nation Children’s Commissioner. — Photo by Laura Barrios Ogimaa Duke Peltier appointed Anishinabek Nation Children’s Commissioner CHIPPEWAS OF THE THAMES FIRST wellness, healing and family-unity. As our significant changes in child welfare and over child and youth well-being, and child NATION (November 5, 2019) – During Children’s Commissioner, Ogimaa Peltier our communities. We need to continue welfare. Day One of the Anishinabek Nation Fall will be helping to ensure the well-being of expanding many of the prevention services. Earlier this year, the Anishinabek Assembly, Grand Council Chief Glen Hare our future generations and our Nations.” That’s where we’re going to see the most Nation Chiefs-in-Assembly approved the announced the appointment of Ogimaa In this new role to the Anishinabek benefit for our young people— to give them Anishinabek Nation Children and Youth Bill Duke Peltier as the new Anishinabek Nation Nation, Ogimaa Peltier will provide high- the best start and the best life. of Rights, which acts as a record of rights for Children’s Commissioner. level oversight over the implementation, Since 2008, the Anishinabek Nation all Anishinabek Children and Youth. “This is so awesome for our kids!” compliance and enforcement of the has been engaged in initiatives to support “Every child and youth deserves to feel said Grand Council Chief Hare. “There Anishinabek Nation Child Well-Being Law, the development of the Anishinabek safe and cared for, free from abuse and are 21 Anishinabek First Nations that have and the Anishinabek Nation Children and Nation Child Well-Being Law. To date, 21 connected to their culture, families and taken the first steps forward to create a new Youth Bill of Rights. Anishinabek First Nations have chosen communities,” states Grand Council Chief reality for our children, youth and families. “It is truly an honour,” said Ogimaa to enact the Law that is an exercise of the Hare. “It is our duty to ensure the well-being A reality premised on the principles of Peltier. “I see this role making some each Nations’ inherent right and jurisdiction of our people.” Keith Knott honoured during Grand Council Assembly for receiving Order of Canada Dr. Keith Knott of Curve Lake First Nation was honoured during Day 2 of the Anishinabek Nation Fall Assembly for his appointment to the Order of Canada for his cultural vision and civic leadership of his community and Nation. Knott, a former Chief and councillor of Curve Lake First Nation, was appointed to the Order of Canada in June. “It’s a great honour — something I never expected,” said Knott, 83. He received an Honour Song, blanket and painting from Grand Council Chief Glen Hare. “As leaders of our communities we have a great responsibility. We work very hard in order to do what’s right for our members & our communities. I’ve been very fortunate to be acknowledged not knowing that many eyes are upon you and what you’re doing,” says Knott.