Zhaagimaa Waabo

Guided by Manito Aki Inaakonigewin and recognizing the significance of Treaty #3’s connection to Aki (land) and Nibi (water)

Zhaagimaa Waabo, the Territorial Planning Unit (TPU), works to protect the 55,000 square miles that make up Treaty #3 territory.

Initiatives & Priorities

Manito Aki Inakonigaawin (MAI): Mai is the sacred resource law of the nation. This is a customary law that has governed our people since time immemorial and is based on our responsibility to ensure that the land, the people, and the future is protected. The TPU is currently working on an MAI toolkit and operationalization.

Nibi Declaration of the Anishinaabe Nation of Treaty #3: The Nibi Declaration ensures that the Treaty #3 Anishinaabe Nibi Inakonigaawin (water law principles) are recorded and formally recognized in governance processes. The declaration will guide the GCT3 leadership in the creation of future policy and decision making processes that relate to water. Another component of the declaration is to inspire people to take action to protect water through the development of a toolkit that contains curriculum based learning tools and information on how to get involved in the further development of this important work.

Emergency Management Planning: Grand Council Treaty is engaged in the coordination and support of Emergency Management Planning. Emergency Management Coordinators can work with communities to support and create emergency plans for floods, fires, pandemics and other emergencies. Planning includes updating plans, completing risk assessments, training and infrastructure support. GCT3 will continue to support the Nation in order to protect our membership and work together in the case of emergency.

Climate Change: Climate change is continuously influencing our Territory and access to the lands and waters of Treaty #3. The TPU is committed to working together in order to work towards climate change risk assessments, youth educational opportunities, climate change curriculums, and nation mitigation initiatives in moving towards a Treaty #3 climate change strategy.

Governance and Natural Resource Management: As resource development in Treaty #3 continues, the TPU is working towards the continued affirmation of Treaty #3 processes in Natural Resource Management and decision-making. This work is guided by MAI and communities to continue the exercise of jurisdiction and self-governance throughout the Territory, through initiatives of resource revenue sharing and the development of a Treaty #3 project decision-making process or environmental assessment.

TPU Newsletter: Current Projects and Updates

Youth Mentorship Program

The Territorial Planning Unit’s Youth Mentorship Program provides Indigenous and Non-Indigenous youth with access to TPU mentors who will support them with environmental career development through education and learning, capacity building, and career advice. Areas of mentorship within the program are: traditional governance, environmental monitoring, climate change, emergency management planning, GIS and sustainable energy planning. Meet the TPU mentors below to learn more about them and how they can help you.

Programs can be set up on 4 week, 8 week and 12 week basis and meeting frequency will be decided between Mentee and Mentor. Please reach out to tpu@treaty3.ca for more information and indicate your interest.

TPU Mentors

Chris Herc – Chris has been the TPU’s Environmental Monitoring Coordinator for the past four years and works with Treaty #3 communities to implement community based monitoring initiatives for water quality, fish habitat, mercury monitoring, and invasive species. Chris also hosts capacity building engagement sessions with Treaty communities, reviews environmental policy, and applies for funding grants to continue current programs and create new ones.

Prior to this Chris graduated from the University of New Brunswick with a B.Sc. in Environment and Natural Resources and has worked across Canada in various environmental positions such as: bird bander, fisheries observer, caribou research technician, provincial park interpreter, nature educator, etc.

Chris Herc

Potential mentees under Chris can expect to: learn how to collect and monitor water quality data, design environmental monitoring programs, help with resume building, identifying experience building opportunities, and anything the mentee would like help with!

Treaty #3 Geoportal

Share Digital Maps | Combine Spatial Layers | Mark-up Maps

The Treaty #3 Geoportal is an online tool that allows community users to upload, share and access digital data and maps of the combined Treaty#3 territory.

Geoportal

Treaty #3 Land Manager's Toolkit

Land Manager's Toolkit

The purpose of the Toolkit is to assist with informed decision making on proposed projects undergoing impact assessments or environmental assessments, but we hope it will be used by anyone looking to increase their understanding of lands management as a whole. We also offer this workbook as an example of how Anishinaabe principles, teachings, and practices can inform decision making and community planning.

Land Manager's Toolkit

Mining 101 Guidebook

The purpose of this Guidebook is to introduce the leadership and staff of Treaty #3 communities to the mining industry, so that they are equipped to make good decisions about mining projects and can better engage with mining companies and government agencies through Anishinaabe Inaakonigewin, such as Manito Aki Inaakonigewin and the Treaty #3 Nibi Declaration.

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Nibi Declaration Toolkit

Nibi Declaration Toolkit

This Toolkit will provide you with information on how you, your family and your community can support the Nibi Declaration of the Anishinaabe of Treaty #3.

Inside this Toolkit you will learn how the GCT3 Women’s Council started the process to create a Treaty #3 Nibi Declaration with a research support team, and have met with other knowledge keepers/Gitiizii m’inaanik to receive guidance on how to proceed with community engagement. There are also summaries of meetings that have been held to date, the proposed process for the development of the Declaration, examples of other water declarations, and plans for ways to implement the Nibi Declaration.

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