Nicole Hancock
Indigenous community hosts full moon ceremony ...

Kristen Villebrun and Wendy Bush hoped they wouldn't have to pray for Chedoke Creek, but four years after they first raised alarm about the water's condition, they were part of an Indigenous full moon ceremony to do just that. About 50 people showed up near Princess Point on the dark and frigid Monday evening for the monthly ceremony, which was particularly special as it focused on Chedoke Creek. The body of water that runs into Cootes Paradise had about 24 billion litres of sewage and storm water runoff leak into it due to a gate being left open.

Indigenous community hosts full moon ceremony to heal Chedoke Creek

Indigenous persons

Community in favour of hosting federal Canada Water Agency

Community in favour of hosting federal Canada Water Agency

A task force working to submit a bid to be the host city for a proposed federal government clean water agency has published its community discussions on its website. The project website can be found at www.cwassm.ca. Ten in-person and virtual discussions held between August and December have resulted in more than 200 participants representing local organizations, Indigenous persons, youth and the general public, providing information and discussion the city’s plan to host the future agency. The idea was first sparked by Ward 5 Coun. Corey Gardi, who presented the idea to city council.

Canada Water Agency would have significant economic impact

Canada Water Agency would have significant economic impact

It’s the last chance to have your say and provide input on why Sault Ste. Marie should be the host of Canada’s Water Agency Initiative. The federal government announced earlier this year that it wants to establish a Canada Water Agency to improve freshwater management across the country. Ward 5 Coun. Corey Gardi has spearheaded the initiative for Sault Ste. Marie to host the future agency. Stakeholders called to the table include various organizations, Indigenous persons, youth and the community at large. The comments, ideas and concerns for clean-water issues will be incorporated in the city’s pitch to bring the Canada Water Agency to the Sault.

Stakeholder engagement part of city's plan to secure Canada Water Agency

Stakeholder engagement part of city's plan to secure Canada Water Agency

“We're also hearing about the importance of water, which is life, the ties to Indigenous teachings and the importance of developing water practices that are sustainable for agriculture,” said Kathleen Heymans. A series of community discussions are underway to help understand the community’s perspective of having the federal government’s planned Canada Water Agency located in Sault Ste. Marie.

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