Rainy River Basin: Our History, Our Future,

The Conference and Rainy River Basin Fair brings together scientists, resource managers, and members of the general public who have an interest in protecting and enhancing the health of the ManOMin Basin, in particular, that of the Rainy River Basin. It offers the opportunity to share the latest information on scientific understanding on the basin’s trans-boundary environmental issues.

This year Day Three of the conference is specifically designed to welcome the local grassroots community to join the scientific community in a round table discussion on next steps, a collaborative approach on ensuring the safety of our environment together.

Moccasin Trails: Paths Towards Community-Based Environmental Capacity

What?

Moccasin Trails: Paths Towards Creating Community-Based Environmental Capacity, is a full-day workshop that will address how the Aboriginal and Tribal communities of the Manitoba-Ontario-Minnesota Basin – also known as the ManOMin basin – can begin the process of developing environmental capacity.

What is capacity? In short, it’s the ability of individuals, organizations and societies to perform functions, solve problems, and set and achieve goals. Environmental capacity development, then, entails the sustainable creation, utilization and retention of that capacity in order to enhance self-reliance, and protect, sustain and improve the health of our environment for present and future generations.

By building on the wealth of experiences and expertise of successful Aboriginal and Tribal environmental managers, Moccasin Trails will enable you and your community to initiate the creation of a critical framework for successful environmental capacity development outcomes. It will seek to open up possibilities for individual and collective Indigenous empowerment, information exchange and knowledge accumulation in order to ensure a sustainable environmental future.

Why now?

We at Rainy River First Nations believe that it is our responsibility to the Creator to take care of the four elements and of all of the Earth’s creatures. We believe that our people’s cultural survival is intimately tied to environmental sustainability. We also believe that everyone has to do what they can to ensure a healthy environment.

While a few First Nations, Tribes, and Tribal Councils in the ManOMin Watershed have initiated environmental projects or programs, the opportunity for an expanded, positive environmental impact are there provided we work together.

For whom?

Moccasin Trails is for all the Chiefs and Councils of the ManOMin Basin who believe that it is time for their community to re-appropriate its environmental stewardship role. Of course, staff members from your environment, natural resources, or any other interested departments, are welcome and encouraged to participate.

What’s on the agenda?

Following a keynote address highlighting benefits and practical examples of the joint use of science and traditional knowledge, four respected Elders will come together in a Circle to share their thoughts on one the four elements –air, fire, water and earth. In the afternoon, successful Aboriginal and Tribal environmental managers from Walpole Islands, Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak, and Grand Portage will be our guest panelists. They will share with participants their organizational “know-how,” experiences and expertise on environmental capacity development. Participants will then be invited to break into smaller groups to brainstorm about the actions their community could possibly undertake to initiate the creation of local environmental capacity.

When?

This workshop is part of the 2003 ManOMin Watershed Conference on the environmental sustainability of the ManOMin Basin that will be held from November 20 to 22, 2003. Moccasin Trails will occur on Friday November 21, on the second day of the Conference.

Where?

As a true international initiative, the host city of the ManOMin Watershed Conference alternates between the Canada and the United States. This year’s event will be held at Rainy River Community College in International Falls, Minnesota.

How do I register?

Please fill in the attached registration form for the 2003 ManOMin Watershed Conference. Choose the option that interests you the most (one day, two days, or three days). If you want to attend the Moccasin Trails workshop only, please select the one day option, and forward your registration and payment to the address indicated on the form.

Alternatively, you can go to www.tapresources.ca/manomin and register online.

What do I need to bring?

Your interest to learn and share, and a commitment to sustainability.  And bring your own moccasins too!