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MUST WATCH VIDEOS ABOUT THE GINAWAYDAGANUC VILLAGE PROJECT:

Ginawaydaganuc Village - The Elders Speak 2023 (Released June 30, 2023):

Inaugural video presentation of the plans for Ginawaydaganuc Village (Released March 26, 2023):

Over the past year, a few of us have been actively engaged to support the work to develop the Ginawaydaganuc Village project.

What we had planned initially was the creation of an organization to contribute to a number of items reflective of important socio-cultural and economic development needs, together with environmental stewardship considerations, grounded in elements of Indigenous ideology about interconnectedness and relationship building.

However, this work was fast forwarded beyond our initial intentions and expectations by an Indigenous Tourism Ontario grant; this enabled us to develop and articulate the eco tourism features of this innovative social enterprise project. Thus we were able to lead with the development of the architectural plans and website. This conceptual advance was further reinforced by interest from a wide range of sources, including the Bicentennial Committee of the Township of Mississippi Mills.

We are not your typical development team - we come from a commitment to bridge building amongst the diverse faces of Canada, starting from certain core relational values of many Indigenous peoples. Our efforts so far, and our engagement with so many folk already enthusiastic about this social enterprise, confirms that such an initiative can emerge from Indigenous thinking, and grassroots community members can play a lead role in its development. Artists, governments and entrepreneurs can further energize and support a self-sustaining approach to eco-peace building, and we are encouraged by their interest.

We think our plans for inclusion of small scale social spaces, for eco tourism activities on the land, for discreet spaces for participation in activities with Indigenous and other wisdom keepers and healers, and for a multi-level academy, (inclusive of hands on training in certain practical construction tasks for young folk entering trades, of life skills and healthy living workshops, and of cross cultural and educational courses that serve to bridge between diverse ways of knowledge generation, will draw people to this area, and also serve to support the enterprise of the local community.

This project is consistent with the aspirations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, as well as the Post Pandemic economical development needs of smaller communities.

We are at the early stages of the work, and we very much need and value your help and support to reach this inclusive goal collectively.

Chi miigwetch to all who are stepping forward to help with this amazing initiative!