NIBI IS CONNECTED TO OUR GRANDMOTHER, THE MOON.

Nibi shows us how we are unified but unique. Our differences are our stories.

We Must Work to Heal
the Water & Ourselves

These are some of our stories.

Nibi Declaration Story

This Nibi Declaration is about respect, love, and our sacred relationship with nibi and the life that it brings.

It is based on Gitiizii m-inaanik teachings about nibi, aki/lands, other elements (including air and wind) and all of creation. This knowledge will be preserved and shared through the declaration with our youth and future generations. Anishinaabe-Ikwewag have a sacred responsibility to nibi and should be included in all decision-making around nibi. This declaration will guide us in our relationship with nibi so we can take action individually, in our communities and as a nation to help ensure healthy, living nibi for all of creation.

Hover over or click on the bubbles to learn more about the stories our community has shared.

Making a Statement with the Nibi Declaration

The Manoomin Story Part 1

The Manoomin Story Part 2

Respecting Alternative Teachings with the Grand Chief

Turning the Declaration into Law

Excitement at the Declaration

A Timeline of the Nibi Declaration

The Nibi Declaration was developed and formally recognized through assembly and ceremony by Treaty #3. The Grand Council Treaty #3 Women’s Council suggested that there should be a declaration to ensure that Treaty #3 Anishinaabe Nibi Inaakonigewin (water law principles) are recorded and formally recognized in governance processes. This timeline presents some of the key events in bringing the declaration to light.

Technicians draft the declaration & bring it to the Women's Council

The research team drafts the declaration using notes taken at a 2018 Elder’s Gathering in Black Bear, the Manito Aki Inakonigaawin, nibi inaakonigewin, and Territorial Planning Unit documents.

Nibi Draft Declaration meeting

The draft undergoes a series of revisions through a development process that mirrors Treaty #3 lawmaking, involving ceremony and engagement throughout. A draft declaration is agreed upon at a meeting attended by the Women's Council and technical team.

Draft taken to ceremony and feasted

The draft is presented in ceremony and feasted on by community members.

Four regional engagement sessions

The Women's Council and technical team facilitate a series of engagement sessions to involve more voices of the Nation. About 60 members from different communities attend to provide feedback on the declaration and toolkit, working through regional specificities, dialects, and purpose of the declaration.

National Nibi Declaration Forum

More than 80 members from Treaty #3 communities attend to voice their feedback. One youth, one Elder, and one woman are invited to participate from each community. Meetings are facilitated by members of the Women's Council and technical team and guided by drum and ceremony.

Treaty #3 Spring National Assembly

The Nibi Declaration is presented and unanimously supported at the Treaty #3 Spring National Assembly in Fort Frances.

Present Nibi Declaration ratification

Late Summer 2018

Week of October 22, 2018

November 2018

January and February 2019

April 2019

May 2019

Anishinaabe Nibi Gathering 2019

WE ALL HAVE A SACRED RELATIONSHIP WITH NIBI

The Nibi Declaration of Treaty #3 is based in an established foundation of work that has been developed over time by scholars and community members . Using the vast knowledge of our Elders, the Great Earth Law Manito Aki Inakonigaawin, and other sources of Anishinaabe inaakonigewin, the Women’s Council and research support team worked together to develop the declaration.

Sharing Nibi

Our relationship with nibi is preserved through ceremony, teachings, education and knowledge shared through generations.

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Decolonizing Water Project: Indigenous Water Law

How are Indigenous communities, researchers, artists, and lawyers coming together to explore Indigenous-led, community-based water monitoring rooted in Indigenous law? Decolonizing Water engages interdisciplinary research and Indigenous-led co-research, paying close attention to the ecological, socio-economic, cultural and spiritual dimensions of water.