A Public Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Event – Sharing Indigenous Knowledge on Survival in Times of Climate Change: Turtle Lodge, November 18, 2016

INVITATION FROM THE ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA CHIEFS

Invitation to attend at The Turtle Lodge (Anishnabe Mikinack Kinamakamik), Sagkeeng First Nation – November 18, 2016, 9:30 am to 4:15 pm A group of Elders and Traditional Knowledge Holders (ETKH) from Manitoba are pleased to extend an invitation to a Gathering being held at the Turtle Lodge (Anishnabe Mikinack Kinamakamik) in Sagkeeng First Nation on Friday, November 18, 2016. The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) is working directly with this group of ETKH as part of their activities relating to the Federal reviews of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act 2012, the Navigation Protection Act, the Fisheries Act and the modernization process for the National Energy Board (NEB). The ETKH include: Florence Paynter (Sandy Bay First Nation, Treaty 1); Mary Maytwayashing (Lake Manitoba First Nation, Treaty 2); Harry Bone (Keesekoowenin Ojibway Anishinaabe, Treaty 2); Dave Courchene Jr. (Sagkeeng First Nation, Treaty 1); D’Arcy Linklater (Nisichawayasihk Nehethowak, Treaty 5); Henry Skywater (Birdtail Sioux Dakota Nation); Wally Swain (Keeseekoowenin Ojibway Nation, Treaty 2); and Dennis White Bird (Rolling River First Nation, Treaty 4). The AMC sees this group of ETKH as the true experts and leaders of our Nations. Their knowledge helps in better understanding identities, worldviews and relationships between all living beings, including the environment. The AMC recognizes that ETKH have different areas of substantive knowledge expertise. This group of ETKH extending this invitation to Turtle Lodge has been identified based on their expertise relating to the environment. You are invited to the Turtle Lodge to listen to ETKH who have kindly offered to share with and educate a broad audience about their laws and worldviews relating to the environment. The purpose of the Gathering is to begin a series of conversations about Indigenous worldviews and laws. The ETKH want to create awareness and understanding on sacred responsibilities relating to caring for the land. For the ETKH, reconciliation means protecting and restoring Mother Earth. The November 18, 2016 Gathering represents an opportunity for guests to show they take Indigenous laws and worldviews seriously and honour commitments made to move toward reconciliation. It will also provide a venue for the ETKH to demonstrate that the Anishinaabe (Ojibway), Nehetho (Cree) and Dakota ceremonies, oral traditions and teachings remain very relevant today. The ETKH believe that attending gatherings in sacred lodges such as the Turtle Lodge is crucial to understanding Indigenous worldviews and laws. The Turtle Lodge is situated in Sagkeeng First Nation. The Turtle Lodge “is a place for sharing our universal and ancient knowledge, for reconnecting ourselves to the Earth and Nature, and also, a place for sharing among people of all races and nations.” Elder Dave Courchene Jr. founded the Lodge in 2002. The Turtle Lodge has since earned an international reputation as a place of learning, healing and sharing for all people, and has been used by many to further their understandings including: Federal Court judges, international scientists and United Nations delegates and Special Rapporteurs. The ETKH want to create awareness and share their understanding on sacred responsibilities relating to caring for the land in a respectful and non-confrontational way. They hope this Gathering will assist guests to better understand the interconnections between the ceremonies/spirituality and substance of their laws and teachings. The AMC looks forward to your acceptance of this invitation, and we believe it will go a long way towards demonstrating a commitment to meaningful relationships and engagement with First Nations. Sincerely, ASSEMBLY OF MANITOBA CHIEFS Derek J. Nepinak, LLB, B.A.(Hons.) Grand Chief, Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs