Tag Archive for: Union of Ontario Indians

We just wrapped up 3 days of successful meetings in beautiful Montreal and Ottawa.

September 18, 2017/0 Comments/in First Nation Growers News/by Dawn Tabobondung

We just wrapped up 3 very exciting days of meetings in Montreal and Ottawa dedicated to creating 21^st Century Indigenous Economies from within First Nation and Inuit communities themselves for Seven Generations.

We are very excited in the direction that FNG is headed across Canada providing the following Indigenous infrastructure and added value self-sustainable living community services that include:

Indigenous Fresh Foods Indoor Community Garden Farming Markets.
Natural Water Treatment-Chemical Free for advanced organic Rotary Hydroponic Agriculture and Human Consumption.
Indigenous Community Waste Resource Management & Diversions.
Renewable Energy designed for the most remote Canadian community, including geothermal, wind, solar and battery backed-up power storage that now includes newly found combustible energy resources to operate as a community “net-positive” entity while helping to eliminate the use of diesel fuels in indigenous communities helping to leave a cleaner footprint.
Seven Generation Indigenous Capacity Building and Development.
Professional Online Medical/Pharmaceutical Drug Awareness Education Seminars.
Indigenous Medicine, Erbs’ and Spices Research & Brand Development.
Health Canada Licensed Producer of Medicinal Medicines for Medical Purposes Consulting and Application Processes including Start-Up Implementations.
Indigenous Wealth Creation & Management Expertise through the development of “Self-Sustainable 21st Century Community Circular Economies” from within First Nation and Inuit communities themselves.

Our intentions are to create First Nation communities with self-sustainable living solutions through the fostering of 21st Century Indigenous Circular Economies from within each of the individual indigenous community themselves.

OTHER FNG ADDED VALUE COMMUNITY NETWORK SERVICES

National Distributor of Wholesale Fresh Produce & Natural Foods
Indigenous Community Design, Installation, and Support in IT Networks
Environmental Friendly Earth & Mining Application Consulting
Land Remediation & Reclamation Services
Mining Waste Recovery Treatments and Mine Tailings Extraction; (including the revitalization of natural rivers, and inland lakes)
Community Maple Syrup Start-Up Expertise & Global Marketing Services
Indigenous Elder Retirement & Assisted Living Centres

Our goal is to make available “new gen” community infrastructure services and added value self-sustainable community living solutions to First Nation and Inuit communities across Canada, where said services include one or more of the following self-sustainable living solutions, that when encompassed, create a 21^st Century Indigenous Self-Sustainable Circular Economy from within the indigenous community themselves.

We are presently preparing to build our first Community Garden Farming Market as well as begin the construction of our first Health Canada Licensed Producer (late approval stage applicant) of Medicinal Medicines for Medical Purposes on indigenous lands, with shovels to hit the ground April 1st, 2018.

We very much look forward to creating Indigenous self-sustainable community living solutions across Canada from within indigenous communities themselves through the fostering of 21^st Century Indigenous Circular Economies.

Dawn Tabobondung is a proud member of Wasauksing First Nation and the Chief Executive Officer of First Nation Growers.

First Nations Growers builds indoor “Community Garden Market Farms” that provide Indigenous & Inuit communities with a financially viable, year-round opportunity to grow their own nutritionally rich fresh produce and foods.

Be sure to follow First Nation Growers on Facebook.

The Shoganosh have failed in protecting Mother Earth and the Anishinaabe.

August 24, 2017/0 Comments/in Politics/by Dawn Tabobondung

In my article last week, I wrote that Indigenous Peoples have been forced to live within the Indian Act and rely on non-Native solutions. Time and time again, the Shoganosh have suggested their own “solutions” that have been consistently incompatible with our Indigenous lifestyles.

Ever since contact, the Indian Agent and his successors have outright failed at supporting our communities and people in too many ways to list. The few solutions offered to Indigenous Peoples since contact rarely respect those that have come before us, and almost never look to protect those yet to come. 7 Generations Philosophy is inclusive of those who came before us, those of us here today, and those to follow in our footprint in the future.

The Anishinaabe are the protectors of Mother Earth, the time has come for us to make a stand and protect the planet for 7 Generations.

Let’s be honest, the Shoganosh have not only fallen miserably short in their treatment of the Indigenous Peoples, they have neglected to honour their own Treaties and have failed Mother Earth in so many ways. What the Federal Government has tried to do with First Nations and Inuit peoples of Canada has failed the smell test of time. Most of the suggestions on how we should live have not even remotely approached solving the problems that we face today, faced in the past, or need to be addressed our future. They simply have not taken into consideration how the Anishinaabe have lived, and live, within our own culture and traditions.

How can anyone foreign to another’s culture remotely suggest how one should live when the other knows nothing of our culture and traditions? Can we maturely look at the failures and the successes of the past and finally be honest with each other as Canadians?

It makes no sense for Non-Natives to tell the Anishinaabe people of Turtle Island how we should live or how we should protect our own lands. How does that happen? Who are you to tell us?

How would you know how we have lived in harmony with Mother Earth since the beginning of time. You have never asked.

It is time for the Federal and Provincial Government’s to stop telling Indigenous people how we should live! Instead of insisting on their way of life on the Anishinaabe, it is time for both the Federal and Provincial Governments to start listening to the Anishinaabe!

It is time for the Federal and Provincial Canadian Government’s to allow Indigenous People to explain how we as a People – and as Nations – wish to live our lives within our own clan cultures and traditions, just as we have since the grass has grown, the rivers have flowed, and the sun has shined. We can do so in a fiscally responsible manner – we simply need the opportunity to finally demonstrate to the Federal and Provincial Governments – and to all Canadians – how much of what has transpired since contact, simply has not worked.

Just ask the United Nations!

I am certain that we can show all Canadians how First Peoples can help the Federal Government operate annually as a net positive to all Canadians.

We as Canada’s First Peoples have never asked for a handout – never – not once! We have been forced to succumb to the way of life the Indian Agent of the past, controlled by governments not made up of Canada’s Indigenous Peoples, who have little to no idea of our culture or traditions. Unfortunately, what the Government of Canada has bestowed on Indigenous Peoples of Canada has failed.

It is not rocket science why it has failed, most have been completely oblivious to our culture yet insist on telling us how to live. Why?

Some Anishinaabe have been forced to live in Third World conditions. Many have had their homes, their culture, their tradition, and their honour stripped away.

Who does that to another human to another culture?

First Nation Growers is a full-service, 7 Generations focussed, Indigenous Sustainable Living Solutions Network Organization made up of professional, successful, Native community leaders and non-Native allies from all walks of life. Our team is committed to help encourage Indigenous communities to create self-sustainable economies from within. We intend to now show the way, the Anishinabek way, of how to live and flourish.

We have the experience here in Canada and on Turtle Island protecting Mother Earth the since the beginning of time!

We have the plan that can save the Federal Government billions of dollars annually if we are finally afforded the time to grow Canada in the spirit of our Ancestors and Mother Earth herself . We want nothing for nothing and believe our way, the Anishinaabe way, can be a “net positive” to the Canadian tax payer. What has been offered to the Anishinaabe since contact simply has not worked, it’s time the Anishinaabe were allowed to show all Canadians and the world how we can live in harmony with Mother Earth and live as a “net positive” Nation.

Our time has come. At First Nation Growers, we are ready to lead the Anishinaabe way in the best interest of Mother Earth and all Canadians.

Dawn Tabobondung is a proud member of Wasauksing First Nation and the Chief Executive Officer of First Nation Growers. First Nations Growers builds indoor “Community Garden Market Farms” that provide Indigenous & Inuit communities with a financially viable, year round opportunity to grow their own nutritionally rich fresh produce and foods. Be sure to follow First Nation Growers on Facebook.

Wasauksing First Nation Pow Wow Gathering

Pow Wows, Family, and the Seven Generations Teachings

August 16, 2017/0 Comments/in First Nation Growers News/by Dawn Tabobondung

G’maa Warren Tabobondung & Ontario Regional Chief Isadore Day in 2016

August is one of my favourite months of the year.

The Georgian Bay sands are warm by day and cool for sleeping by the bay. Nature’s glory is in full bloom, the pace of life slows a bit as the harvest moon begins to prepare for fall and, best of all, this time of year includes the annual Wasauksing First Nation Pow Wow Gathering! A Pow Wow gathering where our ancestors would gather each year to share, barter, trade, sing, and dance together…the Anishinaabe Way.

This year’s gathering took place on August 5th and 6^th.

Watching the stunning singers and amazing dancers reminded me of the special connection we have to the gathering of our peoples’, a gathering of voices and sound and dance that reflects both our past and our future.

While young people always bring new innovations to their music and dances, the energy continues to flow through our generation, my mother’s generation, and those that have come before her; we can feel our ancestors always in the singing the drumming and the dance at our gatherings.

It is our duty to ensure that our children, our grandchildren, our great grandchildren and the many generations to come soon after have the same connection decades and centuries from now, where they all feel the warmth of the fires burning, the sacred drum beating, and hear the voices of our ancestors in the connection between past, and present. These thoughts of the future are not just some nice feelings that I get at a Pow Wow gathering. They are the sound of the Indigenous inner core philosophy that drives First Nation Growers.

4 Seasons, 7 Generations

In my previous blog article, I talked about how our Vision for First Nation Growers has evolved over the past 2 years. When we started on our journey, part of the path was clear – we knew that we wanted to provide communities with year-round access to fresh, nutritious foods – a holistic approach covering all 4seasons. What good is solving a Food Crisis, and supporting individual indigenous self-sustainable economies, if the very communities we support – and the land they live on – cannot be sustained?

What if the very communities we support – and the land they live on – can be self-sustained?

Access to affordable, healthy food options is essential, but so are real jobs, ongoing independent revenue streams, clean energy, and safe water not just today, but for 7 generations to follow.

Consider the Anishinaabe term “anishinaabemaadziwen” the Anishinaabe Way, or “minoyaawaat” in Ojibwa, meaning “to get better, to have good health”. That understanding of where we fit into the Creator’s plans is at the heart of First Nation Growers and 7 Generations philosophy.

We are merely caretakers of Mother-Earth for those who follow.

As I revealed last month, we are committed to applying 7 Generation solutions in the following areas:

Indigenous Community Financial Planning for 7 Generations
Fresh Produce & Natural Foods
Herbs & Sacred Indigenous Medicines
Natural Water Treatment for Rain Forest Plant Life & Human Consumption
Natural Soil Revitalization Treatment
Waste Resource Management that includes Waste Minimization Solutions
Indigenous Community Renewable Energy Needs and Shortfalls

FNG has recently become a “Full Service 7 Generations Indigenous Sustainable Living Solutions Network” that serves First Nation and Inuit communities across Turtle Island.

For too long, we have been forced to live within the Indian Act and rely on non-Native solutions. Time and time again, the people suggesting these “solutions” have been incompatible with our Indigenous lifestyles or did not take the time to understand our culture and traditions. Most have failed at supporting our communities and people in so many ways.

The few solutions offered to indigenous Peoples since contact rarely respect those that have come before us, and almost never look to protect yet to come.

The Anishinaabe are the protectors of mother-earth, the time has come for us to make a stand and protect mother-earth for 7 Generations.

Dawn Tabobondung is a proud member of Wasauksing First Nation and the Chief Executive Officer of First Nation Growers.

First Nations Growers builds indoor “Community Garden Market Farms” that provide Indigenous & Inuit communities with a financially viable, year round opportunity to grow their own nutritionally rich fresh produce and foods. Be sure to follow First Nation Growers on Facebook.

Clean Water for All

April 17, 2017/0 Comments/in First Nation Growers News/by Dawn Tabobondung

In previous articles, I’ve written about the Northern Food Crisis and its impact on Indigenous People. Sadly, for many of my sisters and brothers, access to fresh food isn’t the only challenge they face as access to clean, safe drinking water……….…the foundation of life……….…is far from guaranteed.

According to a recent Globe & Mail report, 91 First Nation communities were under drinking water advisories earlier this year and a staggering 1/3 of First Nation communities were at medium to high risk of producing unsafe water.

Access to clean, safe drinking water is not a privilege – it is a basic human right – yet 2/3 of First Nation communities have suffered drinking water advisories during the past decade. I am committed to supporting my Indigenous brothers and sisters and our communities across the country in achieving that right. That’s why I am proud to introduce our latest initiative, the First Nation Growers Indigenous Community Water Solution.

7 Generations

At FNG, we are firm believers in the concept of 7 generations. As a First Nation organization, we operate with the sacred knowledge that we are merely caretakers of mother earth for those that will follow.

When we engage a project we continually ask ourselves “what will the impact of this project be to those that will follow 7 generations after us?”. Although seemingly repetitive, understanding that we are merely caretakers of this land allows us to make inclusive and responsible decisions about our projects and opportunities.

First Nation Growers work in partnership with local indigenous communities to help the poorest and most marginalized communities set up practical and sustainable water, sanitation and hygiene natural water treatment projects that meet their real needs, naturally, and service each Community Garden Farm Facility with the very same natural water treatment technologies. We proudly make this technology available to each and every First Nation and/or Inuit community that we work with across Canada, creating a cohesive relationship between community, the environment and each 4seasons garden farming co-op facility.

Community Water Projects

First Nation Growers community water projects include four vital and interrelated components, which combined together help to maximize health and development benefits. Clean water, basic sanitation, hygiene education and natural foods farming are the ABCDs of project development—the building blocks towards a better future for every community, making water fit for both community garden farming and human consumption.

FNG uses practical, locally-appropriate, cost-effective, new, and innovative water treatment technologies to ensure that operational maintenance requirements for the new water supply and sanitation facilities can be easily learned and adopted by each local indigenous community and their membership regardless of geographical location.

All aspects of First Nation Growers Community Garden Farm Co-op projects are designed and implemented with long-term sustainability in mind. This means that upon completion of each project, community members are equipped with all the tools and knowledge required to manage and maintain their own natural water treatment facility and new community garden farming co-op operation.

Ending Two Crises With An Integrated, Holistic Solution

Our Community Garden Farm Co-op’s address the natural water treatment needs of every community project across Canada regardless of location and or isolated remoteness. The FNG Natural Water treatment platform allows for the integration of clean water supply into every remote Indigenous and or Inuit community Canada wide and allows for the control of multiple tower flows, increasing overall efficiency and access to a clean, natural water supply for every 4seasons Community Garden Farm Co-op.

Serpent River. Saddle Lake. George Gordon. Kashechewan. The list goes on and on. It is time to stop the next drinking water crisis from ever starting. Dawn Tabobondung is a proud member of Wasauksing First Nation and the Chief Executive Officer of First Nation Growers. First Nations Growers builds indoor “Community Garden Farm Co-op’s” that provide Indigenous & Inuit communities with a financially viable, year round opportunity to grow their own nutritionally rich fresh produce and foods. Be sure to follow First Nation Growers on Facebook.