Editor,
If anyone has been rambling lately in the Fred Raper beach, maybe you’ve noticed it’s cleaner.
That’s because on April 21, Easter Monday, a small group gathered there to clean up the beach. It was spearheaded by Natasha Akiwenzie. Natasha was the Federal Green candidate for Grey Bruce, and her approach to campaigning was deeply personal.
Natasha is from the Saugeen Ojibway Nation (SON), and comes from a family legacy of commercial fishers. Living so closely with Georgian Bay and Lake Huron, she’s a first responder to the cause of Whitefish and Lake Trout decline. Yes folks. Climate change. Her family business could not survive.
Today, Natasha and other Chippewas of Nawash fishing families focus on the not-for-profit Bagida’waad Alliance (bagidawaad.ca). Climate change research, active stewardship of lands and waters, connecting youth and elders, a film school for SON youth, and sustainable living workshops are some of the Alliance’s ongoing works. Collaborations are ongoing with the MNR and Parks Canada, SON’s Environmental Office, York University, and University of Toronto.
The Fred Raper cleanup was just an example of Natasha’s activism. Those pitching in were several folks from Save Georgian Bay (www.savegeorgianbay.ca), Owen Sound Waste Watchers (www.oswastewatchers.ca), and the Grey Bruce Greens (www.greybrucegreens.ca). The trash cull was typical: 80% cigarette butts, 15% plastic bottles, metal beer cans, and plastic wrapping, 5% decomposing packaging, fabric and unmentionables. From cradle to grave, just how did all this trash come to be culled by our hands at Fred Raper Park?
Natasha was gentle with us. She shared her traditional knowledge of Georgian Bay, evidence-based experience with climate change, and the importance of ongoing stewardship, be it on public land like the Fred Raper beach or on private land.
But under no delusion that Georgian Bay can be resurrected to her former abundance and balance, Natasha and the Bagida’waad Alliance tread softly with acts of positive resistance.
Acts of positive resistance. Now that’s an act of love I can get into.
Caryn Colman, Meaford
