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The Anishinabek of the
Gitchi Gami (AGG) is a
not-for-profit community-oriented
environmental group created in
2006 on Fort William First
Nation (adjacent to Thunder
Bay, Ontario, Canada). The
group is comprised of Fort
William First Nation community
members. "Anishinabek
of the Gitchi Gami" is Ojibwa
for "the people of the big
water (i.e. Lake Superior)."
The AGG was
formed by five youth in
January 2006 to voice
concerns regarding pollution
and sustainability issues that
affect the
community. These concerns
arose after decades of pulp
and paper industrial waste
being dumped of on the
community’s traditional land,
and by the on-going problem of
waste being dumped and burned
in the reserve’s illegal
dumpsite.
Anishinabek of the Gitchi Gami
recognizes Fort William First
Nation citizens as the people
who will ensure a healthy environment for future generations. Anishinabek of the
Gitchi Gami believes empowered
citizens are people involved
in decision-making processes
and in implementing proactive
initiatives that benefit our community. Fostering
community engagement in
identifying issues affecting
Fort William First Nation is
the key to establishing a
consciousness powerful enough
to achieve deeper
environmental justice for FWFN
in the future.
AGG official
mission summarises these aims:
As
people we strive to preserve
and empower our community by
reconnecting our culture,
sharing our teachings and
assuming our responsibilities
as keepers of the land.
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