Faculty of Environment unveils a Moccasin Identifier treaty marker on Ring Road

The Faculty of Environment and the Moccasin Identifier unveiled a permanent treaty marker on September 25 along Ring Road near the EV3 building. The steel installation, designed by the university’s Creative Studio with the Moccasin Identifier around an Anishinaabe moccasin design, is meant to work as a living land acknowledgement.

Amanda St. Marie, the faculty’s Indigenous initiatives manager and a member of Matachewan First Nation, says its purpose is treaty education: helping people understand treaty relationships and traditional territories. The project grew from the faculty’s long relationship with Carolyn King, founder of the Moccasin Identifier, former Chief of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and a recurring guest lecturer. The First Nations-led initiative was established in 2011.

The youth women’s hand drum group Aki Ogichidaa Kwewak N’Gomawak opened the program, followed by Elder Myeengun Henry. St. Marie gave the keynote, and Laurie Froman, the Moccasin Identifier’s executive director, King and interim associate vice-president John Lewis also spoke. The day closed with a round dance.

Upcoming: the Moccasin Identifier team returns to campus in the first week of November to provide treaty education.