  On behalf of Plenty Canada, I want to convey how grateful we are for the support of our friends, donors, and partners. This year in particular, we have experienced several significant accomplishments that are helping to inform and transform our world.
We worked hard to establish the Niagara Escarpment Biosphere Network as the official convener of the UNESCO Niagara Escarpment Biosphere by successfully aiding the Network in researching and publishing its required 10-year Periodic Review, a beautifully designed 200-page document filled with valuable history and information. This was followed by an evaluation and assessment tour by UNESCO reviewers who visited with the Network’s partner organizations and leaders of municipalities, conservation and environmental groups, university scholars, business executives, and many others who place great value in UNESCO’s Niagara Escarpment Biosphere designation. With approval in hand, the Network eagerly looks forward to a new decade of engagement with community members from Niagara to Tobermory and beyond. A critically important part of our organization begins with Plenty Canada’s Board of Directors. We remain so busy with project work that we often don’t take enough time to celebrate and honour our board members, who contribute to our accomplishments in numerous ways. Our current roster includes Dan Longboat, President (Mohawk); Mary Alyson Edwards, Treasurer; Paulette Fox, Secretary (Blackfoot); Marilyn Capreol, Board Member (Anishinaabe); Chuck Commanda, Board Member (Algonquin); Aarin Crawford, Board Member (Algonquin), and Albert Marshall, Board Member (Mi'kmaq). This is quite a prestigious group to say the least. They are all accomplished professionals who have dedicated their lives to the preservation of Indigenous cultures and the environment we all share. And, in addition to the activities reported on in this newsletter, coming up in September of this year we are proud to announce the culmination of several years of work, in association with the Niagara Parks Commission, the publication of Landscape of Nations: Beyond the Mist, a 256-page hardcover book that takes readers on a fascinating journey detailing 13,000 years of Indigenous life, history, and experience within the Niagara region. Among the many stories the book contains are those that will elevate public understanding of the contributions Indigenous nations made to early trade and commerce relations with Europeans, to the defense and emergence of Canada during the War of 1812, to, quite literally, bridge building along the Niagara River corridor, and much more. This beautiful coffee table book will be available for sale soon through Niagara Parks’ stores and partner museums in the Niagara area. All of Plenty Canada’s projects involve relations and partnerships with other organizations that enlist dedicated efforts from volunteers. I remain humbled by all who seek to make the world a better place, one where empathy and decency prevail, where hatred is negated, and where, thanks to our Board Member Albert Marshall, Two-Eyed Seeing functions to advance the best knowledge that Indigenous and Western intellectual traditions provide in guiding us toward responsible decisions for future generations. Chi Miigwech. Niá:wen. Merci. Thank you. Larry McDermott Executive Director Plenty Canada
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With Plenty Canada’s assistance the Niagara Escarpment Biosphere Network recently completed the 2024 Niagara Escarpment Biosphere Self Study, a significant milestone in the periodic review process and in the Network’s ongoing conservation efforts. Every ten years, UNESCO designated biospheres undergo a comprehensive review of the biosphere, ensuring they meet the criteria for conservation, development, and logistical support. This process involves detailed reporting on the biosphere's ecological health, community involvement, and sustainable development initiatives. Following the format provided by UNESCO, the 2024 Self-Study Report shares research findings, case studies and insights from our network partners to describe ecological, cultural, and developmental changes and significant moments in our biosphere over the past ten years. The 2024 Self-Study Report is now available on both the Network and Plenty Canada websites. The review provided the Network with a reflective process to understand how conservation, sustainability, and stewardship looks within our biosphere, and provides a stepping stone to guide our future.
As part of the periodic review, representatives from the Canadian Commission for UNESCO were given an extensive tour of the biosphere, highlighting the unique ecological and historical features of the escarpment. From our start in Neyaashiinigmiing until the end at the Landscape of Nations Memorial, we showcased the beauty of the escarpment and the extensive work of our network partners. During the tour, reviewers interacted with political leaders, local government staff, Indigenous youth, research institutions, parks and conservation agencies, business, advocacy organizations, educators and students and Indigenous cultural educators who shared their insights and experiences in stewarding and preserving the biosphere. The representation present throughout the tour demonstrated how a powerful network might accelerate collaboration to achieve the shared goals for the conservation of the Niagara Escarpment and the communities that are linked by it. With the contributions of our partners, we were able to demonstrate the diversity and the unique long term commitment of people and organizations working within our biosphere. The tour provided the NEBN with the opportunity to speak to the representatives from the Canadian Commission for UNESCO about our co-governance structure, and the importance of Two-Eyed Seeing and Ethical Space in the work of a biosphere. We heard from the representatives from the Canadian Commission for UNESCO that they were impressed, at times moved, and essentially grateful for all they learned from our community. The successful completion of the periodic review and the positive feedback from the CCUNESCO tour highlight the Niagara Escarpment Biosphere’s exemplary status as a model for sustainable development, and Two-Eyed Seeing conservation in action. Moving forward, the network aims to continue its efforts in protecting its natural and cultural heritage while fostering sustainable economic activities. The insights gained from the review and tour will guide future initiatives, ensuring that the biosphere remains a vital part of Canada’s natural legacy and a leader in reconciliation. As the NEBN looks to the future, it remains committed to maintaining the delicate balance between human activity and nature, ensuring that this precious landscape thrives for generations to come. Plenty Canada and the Network always welcome and invite our partners to provide us with their insights and input on the future initiatives of the biosphere. Please use the “Contact Us” page on our website to let us know your thoughts! — Tasha Gunasinghe (Photos © MarkZelinski.com) Ultimate Drilling, the local company that we contracted to carry out the drilling of the well at Tsundzukani Daycare Centre moved their equipment and crew onto site.
Mitchell, the supervisor of the firm, carried out the testing and drilling site location inside the Daycare ground area. He used sophisticated technology for groundwater detection using a portable electronic device that shows rock layers, fault zones, and areas that are best for the drilling of wells. They also used traditional dowsing in order to confirm the best place to start drilling and trying to hit water. The drilling began and for hours they tried to reach the water table going through layers of different rock formations. As the drill went down, they kept collecting samples of the residue material in order to make evaluations in relation to the proximity of the underground water source. The team of local Mashangaan and Bapedi technicians were in great mood singing "Mati u vutomi!" (which means "Water is life") in the Tsonga language. At mid-day as they reached 80 metres of depth with no sign of water showing up in the samples, the team look disappointed and so did Nyango and myself. Usually in this area of the Mpumalanga province, they usually hit water by this depth, so they asked us if we wished them to go deeper, a maximum of 120 metres. We promptly agreed. By the end of the day and 120 metres deep no water was found and we decided to stop the drilling at that point. We discussed the options and consequently opted for trying to drill above the Daycare Centre and we hoped for success. They started to drill early next day for many consecutive hours of work including throughout the evening. When they reached the depth of 155 metres they stopped the rig as there was no sign of underground water, just dust from the dry rocks. We were all very discouraged and stressed at this point and went home for a well deserved rest. Next day after checking on the project budget we decided to go ahead and make our third drilling attempt, this time away from the Daycare Centre by the river bed. And at 40 metres depth the drill hit water, lots of water! The next step was to build a box to secure the pump and its plumbing/electrical connections. We had to bring power from the closest municipality electricity pole to the box in order to supply the submersible water pump. The next stage was to hire a commercial backhoe loader to excavate approximately 500 metres of trenches through the village and lay the heavy-duty pipeline all the way up to the Daycare Centre. Local labor was hired to help backfill the trenches. Once we had the electricity installed in the pump house, the pipeline connected, and trenches backfilled, the next stage was to install the submersible water pump. Once the pump was successfully installed down 40 metres, the technicians turned on the power and tested the entire system for water leaks and overall performance. We were all relieved that the system was working 100 percent, with running water being supplied to the Daycare Centre at last! The next step was to connect the pipeline from the well to the three existing water reservoirs at the Centre. Once the plumbing was completed, we tested the pump filling water successfully into the three tanks which took less than two hours. The entire project was a success despite the technical difficulties of finding underground water, and we are proud of all the technicians involved in its entire implementation, and ultimately the beneficiaries are the school children and the Centre's staff that now will have sufficient running water for sanitation, cooking of their meals, and irrigation of the vegetable garden. — Mwana Bermudes, project coordinator for South Africa Ginawaydaganuc Village, established 2022, is an Indigenous-led non-profit organization based in Mississippi Mills, Ontario. Our mission is to construct an eco-sensitive, education, and gathering place rooted in our cultural heritage, based on our medicine wheel teachings, and guided by principles of community empowerment, sustainability, healing and working in harmony with our environment and each other. The Village is committed to helping repair and prepare the way for seven generations to come.
Ginawaydaganuc is an Algonquin word, the essence of which means “we/all things are connected.” The name was chosen to honour the late Algonquin Elder William Commanda, with whom each of Village’s Board of Directors had a special relationship during his life. The Spirit of Ginawaydaganuc speaks to our intrinsic relationship with Mother Earth — her land, air and waters — as well as to the cosmos and, of course, to each other. Ginawaydaganuc is the thread that connects ALL cultures, ALL peoples, and ALL things. The concept of Ginawaydaganuc is intentionally woven into everything we do. When complete, the Village will consist of five main buildings, with an Elder’s Lodge in the centre. The Village will contain a welcome centre, an academy, accommodations, a restaurant, and retail space to carry course materials, construction equipment and supplies, ceremonial supplies, and gifts. The Elders' Lodge is the nucleus of the entire hub. It will provide a safe, inclusive space for people from all walks of life to gather, learn, share, heal, and experience Indigenous teachings at the knee of authentic Elders. The Ginawaydaganuc Academy will provide both free and paid workshops on a variety of subjects, including social and cultural awareness, as well as eco-friendly construction methods, natural medicines, crafts, and much more. The building will be suited for workshops as well assmall conferences. Guided by Indigenous Elders and knowledge keepers, the Village’s multi-faceted plan offers programs for the general public, including special programming for marginalized and vulnerable populations. At the core of our programming are Indigenous teachings and educational opportunities that promote social well-being and sustainable living and working practices. The Village aims to set a positive example with our use and promotion of environmentally proactive construction modalities (such as living rooves, rammed earth walls, cordwood masonry, hempcrete, strawbale, solar, and much more) for our facilities. This foundational programming, with the support of our cultural training, will help to empower Indigenous youth from remote reserves (amongst others) to lead their communities to use locally and ethically sourced materials to address chronic housing and resource shortages. Key to Ginawaydaganuc Village’s success is developing a network of reciprocity for knowledge, food, medicines, art and crafts, tools, pro-eco building materials, and more. For this reason, we ask our readers to please reach out to us if you have resources and/or are a teacher of any of these modalities. Please contact [email protected] or visit www.ginawaydaganuc.ca for more information. By encouraging one another to respect, care for, and harmonize with the environment and each other, we aim to help repair and prepare the way for the seven generations to come. We hope you will join us on this journey. — Karen Bisson (Photo caption) The conceptual designs for the Village were created by globally renowned architect Douglas Cardinal and adapted from our logo, designed by Karen Bisson, one of the Village’s directors. |
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