Activate Your Learning about Robinson Huron Treaty (RHT) Work as an Ally

Hello / Salut / Annin

With this blog, I invite you to activate your learning about Robison Huron Treaty (RHT) work as an ally, particularly if you have a connection to the territory. I grew up as a second generation settler in Sudbury, also know as N’Swakamok in Anishnabemowin, meaning “Where the three roads meet”, and my family still has a connection to the area.

I want to express my intention to support the White Ribbon Campaign by the Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) Elders of the RHT territory. Here are four ways you can get involved:

Stand or sit and make an intention to learn about and support the TEK Elders’ White Ribbon Campaign

Making an intention to support the RHT TEK Elders’ White Ribbon Campaign

In the image above, I’ve digitally added white ribbons to photos of trees in the Sudbury / N’Swakamok area to show my intention to visit the area in spring and summer 2023 to tie physical ribbons. At that time I’ll say some prayers/intentions for the protection of the trees as well as the protection of other plants, birds, animals, lands, waters, air, and people.

I encourage you to read the article “The White Ribbon Campaign” by Susan Chiblow on pages 58-59 of E-Wiindamaagejig: The Robinson Huron Treaty Times Issue 3 2022. This magazine has been an important part of my learning about the Treaty. So has listening and learning by virtually attending the RHT Gathering in September 2022 and the RHW Treaty Week events in November 2022. You can also read the first two issues of the magazine on the Robinson Huron Waawiindamaagewin website. Here are two quotes about glyphosate and the White Ribbon Campaign from Issue 3:

The TEK Elders know that we are dependent on the health of the Earth. In many areas of the RHT territory, we cannot trust that the medicines and foods are not contaminated by glyphosate. Our way of life comes from the lands; if the lands are sick, we will be sick.
E-Wiindamaagejig: The Robinson Huron Treaty Times Issue 3 2022 p. 59

Please support the TEK Elders and help stop the destruction of our territory by tying white ribbons on trees. Miigwech.
E-Wiindamaagejig: The Robinson Huron Treaty Times Issue 3 2022 p. 59

If you’d like to deepen your learning by listening, you can view a recording of the TEK Panel: Conversations with the TEK Elders on the RHW website. The Elders share strong words and messages about the importance of hearing their language spoken, the role of youth as scholars, Indigenous knowledge/science, how the destruction of their lands is like physical assault, how glyphosate is harming earthworms and contaminating food and people, how their spirits are guided by their ancestors, the importance of nature and plants for education, how we all need to take time to learn, and how we all need to listen, learn and teach.

2. Sign a petition to ban the herbicide glyphosate in Canada

You can take #ActionAgainstGyphosate for a #PesticideFreeFuture in Robinson Huron Treaty Territory and Canada by signing the Parliamentary Petition on the Into the Weeds Documentary website by Friday, January 13 6PM. This petition is endorsed by TEK Elder Raymond Owl, Sagamok Anishnawbek First Nation among others, and supported by partner organizations such as Environmental Defence Canada, Ecojustice Canada, David Suzuki Foundation, Safe Food Matters among others.

3. Learn and practice the ECJF “Stop It!” move. (“Boontun” in Anishinaabe as taught by Elder Ray Owl)

Elder Ray Owl’s message is “Boontun”, which means stop it. It means to stop it in a demanding way. Stop the use of glyphosate in our territory.
E-Wiindamaagejig: The Robinson Huron Treaty Times Issue 3 2022 p. 59