Indigenous-owned · Serpent River First Nation · Est. 2018
We are the land. We advance our Nations through nation building.
Bimaadzwin — meaning "life" or "good path" in Anishinaabe — is an Indigenous-owned advisory and Nation-building organization. We work as a catalyst to help First Nations create happy, healthy communities through self-governance and economic development that focuses on First Nation jurisdiction, guided by the four pillars of Land, People, Prosperity and Nationhood.
Land. People. Prosperity. Nationhood.
Land
The use, connection and control of land is by far the most fundamentally central, and critical struggle faced by Indigenous Peoples on Turtle Island and across the planet. In the 21st Century, many intersecting issues, policy discussions, and opportunities arise out of key relationships to land once fully occupied by Indigenous Peoples.
People
Social issues and impacts of colonial control of Nations of Indigenous Peoples since the time of contact are numerous, insidious and undeniably at the crux of the reconciliation movement in Canada. Situational to the legacy of Indian Residential Schools and Indian Policy stemming from the 18th century — the influence of outside cultures and social structures are the undoing of successful treaty implementation between the settler society and Indigenous Peoples.
Prosperity
Every Nation since the dawn of time carries with it a history of an innate struggle for wellbeing and livelihood. Indigenous Peoples in Canada had similar struggles that all societies have, prior to contact — i.e., conflict and unrest among tribal relations — but also, strong trade networks, systems and ties to the land — all resulted in elaborate treaty-making protocols and principles. Central to our treaty principles is the core imperative of sharing our resources. This important element will underpin our shared and sustainable economies.
Nationhood
Our Peoples signed Treaties to share the land and wealth with the newcomers as equals. In order to regain our sovereignty and rights as Nations, First Nations must break free of the Indian Act and the current welfare state mentality. Every one of our First Nation Children is born with something that mainstream Children do not, or will ever have — the "Seed of Sovereignty." This must be nurtured, protected, and extended to every unborn generation. We must exercise our Treaty rights, we must occupy our ancestral lands, and we must use our Indigenous customs, practices, languages — and our Laws. This is the only way to protect our Sovereignty and advance our Nations for the Next Generation.
"Our focus is to advance our Nations and to uphold the inheritance of our children in Land, People and Prosperity."
Former Ontario Regional Chief
Former Lake Huron Region Grand Chief
Former Vice Chair, North Shore Tribal Council
Fifteen years as an elected leader for First Nations
Hereditary to Chiefs Shingwauk, Wiindawtegowinini, and Genebek. The lineage signed the Robinson-Huron Treaty and the Manitoulin Treaty, and were allies to the British Crown in the War of 1812.
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The firm offers ten services across facilitation, policy, economic, and governance work.
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