ᑭᑕᑐᐢᑫᐏᓇᐣ

Kitatoskaywinan

ENGLISH TRANSLATION “It’s our work and we’re doing it together.”

The Project: Connection to the Land

Connection to the Land

ᐋᓂᐢᑫ ᐅᑖᐏᒫᐘᐠ ᐱᒫᒋᐃᐍᐏᐣ

Aniskay Otawemawuk Pimachihewaywin

ENGLISH TRANSLATION “Preserving Our Ancestral Lifelines.”

We have always been connected to the land that sustains us: our culture, identity, and livelihoods. Our laws guide us in relating with Askiy in a good way as they guided our ancestors before us.

“In our treaty area, the Elders always told us the land is sacred to every one of us. That our people were put here to look after it, to keep it clean. The waters are sacred and give us life.”

– Mary Beardy, FLCN

“It’s filled with animals. It’s filled with our fish. And everything that we have is good. That is why we live here. People say ‘how do you guys live in isolation?’ And we say ‘this is our world’. Here we thrive. We may struggle with things but still, we are here. We will always be here.”

– Eli Hill, SFN

“Born at Kettle River, MB (East towards the Ontario border), I’ve lived off the land most of my life. Our people in the past were sustained by this land, by the food, water, medicines, clean air. I’ve lived and worked where I’ve seen destruction being done to the land. We need to protect it for future generations. The habitat has been destroyed by dams and other projects: mining and logging. This has to stop. I’ve seen the land when it was undisturbed, clean, pristine. I’ve canoed and drank water from the rivers. Today that is not possible. The fish are inedible where I live, a legacy left by Manitoba Hydro. By all the Nations working together we can protect our land from further destruction. In time the land will heal itself then the future generations can enjoy it.”

– Edwin Beardy, YFFN

Uniting in Strength as Stewards of the Land

The Creator has given us the responsibility to be stewards of Askiy and all that it provides. By coming together, the Five Nations are unifying our voices and building strength to govern and protect the land we live on and come from.

“Ask the Creator to help guide us. We have a responsibility to the Creator and the land. We must share knowledge with each other. We need one voice for protection of territories. Sovereignty is important.”

– Bishop Isaiah Larry Johnson Beardy, TCN

“Everything has a spirit (Askiy – all the land, water, wind, fire, plants, animals, life), and this is proved through our Ininewak language (animate/inanimate descriptions of our relations & environment). We are stewards of the land and have responsibilities to Askiy… We Indigenous people have an obligation to Mother Earth. We are known as Askiy Okanawaynichikaywuk: Keepers/stewards of the land. ”

– Edwin Beardy, YFFN

In This Section

Learn more about our Inineemowin language through the Inineemowin: York Factory Cree app!