Decolonizing Understandings Of Land, Parks and Rivers

In the past decade, Giidaakunadaad, Michizaagiig, Ojibwe, Anishinaabek Nation, colonially located at Mississaugas of Credit First Nation, has organized multiple water gathering with Zibii (colonially known as the Credit River). Organizing the gathering required complex and critical conversations with the City of Mississauga and the Credit Valley Conservation Authority, which co-manage Erindale Park, as well as with the University of Toronto Mississauga, which is immediately adjacent, about municipal and provincial park bylaws and guidelines that restricted access to the waters and the land. These gatherings diagnosed significant barriers and challenges that need to be addressed. In this talk, Giidaakunadaad will share with students relevant historical context, the work of the gathering, and what cities, conservation authorities, and also universities can do to support the exercise of Inherent, Indigenous and Human Rights. She will share and update a 2025 policy brief written for the School of Cities on the Water gathering.

Light refreshments will be available from 12:00 pm.

This is a free event, however, space is limited and registration is required.

Giidaakunadaad (The Spirit who lives in high places), Nancy Rowe is Michizaagiig, Ojibwe of the Anishinaabek Nation, located at New Credit First Nation. She is a recognized Knowledge Keeper and Representative of New Credit. She holds an honours BA in Indigenous Studies and Political Science. She founded Akinoomaagaye Gaamik lodge in 2014, to provide educational opportunities for all interested in Indigenous perspectives on life, health, education, history, and the environment. Akinomaagaye Gaamik has many partnerships that support on-going education in Ontario, Boards of Education, Ontario Principals Council, Ontario Human Rights Commission, Ontario Teachers Federation, Ministry of Education, University of Toronto and Indigenous Organizations.

Dr. Bonnie McElhinny is Professor of anthropology and women and gender studies at the University of Toronto. She directs Great Lakes Waterwork/Water Allies (waterallies.com), and is part of the Water Pathways research cluster at the University of Toronto Scarborough. Her books include Language, Capitalism, Colonialism (with Monica Heller). Bonnie is of Irish, Slavic, German, French, and English descent. She grew up at the confluence of the Connoquenessing River and Glade Run, on Seneca, Lenape, and Shawnee territory, and is writing a book, The River Runs a Long Way Straight Here, about these rivers. Giidaakunadaad and McElhinny have held two previous grants together: Thirteen Moon Journey (Ontario Indigenous Cultural Fund) and Thirteen Moon Journey/Water Gathering (SSHRC Connection Grant for Building Indigenous Research Capacity/Reconciliation). In 2019, Giidaakunadaad and McElhinny participated in a national gathering sponsored by SSHRC to share insights on Indigenous research methodologies.

The Canadiana Gallery main entrance is served by a ramp and the entrance door features an automatic no-touch wave switch for door opening. The all-gender washroom on the main floor is accessible. The CrimSL Library is accessible by vertical lift.

If you have any access needs or if there are any ways we can support your participation in this session, please email [email protected] and we will be glad to work with you to make the appropriate arrangements.

Photography, audio and video recording may occur throughout this event. Therefore, by attending, you hereby authorize the University of Toronto to take your photograph, video and/or record your voice and grant the university all rights to these sounds, still or moving images in any medium for educational, promotional, marketing, advertising or other such purposes that support the mission of the university. If you do not consent to this, please speak with a university representative upon your arrival.

By transit: The closest subway station is Queen's Park.

By car: There is no on-site parking available. There is a drop-off area at the main entrance. U of T hosts several parking lots on campus.

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Host or Publisher Centre for Criminology & Sociolegal Studies