ⴰⵔⵔⴰⵎⴰⵜ | Ărramăt
Strengthening Health and Wellbeing Through Indigenous Led Conservation and Sustainable Relationships with Biodiversity
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Youth Engagement, Recovery and Restoration of a Wetland in Wiikwemkoong Territory
Indigenous-Led Place-Based Project
Organization: University of Guelph
Region: Manitoulin Island, Ontario, Canada
Indigenous Community: Wiikwemkoong First Nation, Magnetawan First Nation, and Shawanaga First Nation
Indigenous Language: Anishinaabemowin
Shkakamik Kwe Genwemaajig
Mother Earth Keepers - The name of the Wiikwemkoong Species-at-Risk community group
Shkakamik Kwe Zaagaajik
Those that love Mother Earth - This is the name of a larger working-group made up of multiple communities
Mnidooshenhsak - Insects
Nikiinaaginaa - All my relations
Shkakamik Kwe Waat Saa Maa Jiig - Those that walk with mother earth
Mino-Bimaadiziwin - Good life/living life in a good way or in balance
Image Credit: Natasha Hirt (2025) ©
Shkakamik Kwe Genwemaajig
Mother Earth Keepers: this is the name of the Wiikwemkoong Species-at-Risk community group. We are learning together from the insects caretakers of the medicine plants. Youth from the Wiikwemkoong territory are learning and sharing with both researchers and Elders. We have worked in partnership to be out on the land and build relationships with each other. The program supports the understanding on the web of life and about the unique connections between all our relations.
Listen to Natasha Hirt speak about the program by clicking the button beneneath the photo.
Image Credit: Natasha Hirt (2025) ©
Image Credit: Natasha Hirt (2025) ©
Image Credit: Natasha Hirt (2025) ©
With the Wiikwenkoong Department of Lands and Natural Resources, students visit Shkoo-shii Prairie Point Marsh, which is a living classroom to explore the relationships between water, plants, animals, and people. This helps to foster a strong sense of belonging, cultural identity, and responsibility - ensuring future generations understand their role within creation and the importance of respecting all our relations.
- from the Wiikwemkoong Communications Department
About the Project: Youth Engagement, Recovery and Restoration of a Wetland in Wiikwenkoong Territory
Wiikwemkoong’s Unceded Territory encompasses critical habitat for numerous species, including species at risk (e.g.: Houghton's Goldenrod, least bittern, snapping turtle, painted turtle, blandings turtle, whippoorwill), many of which are valued sources of traditional medicines that support the health and well-being of the people of Wiikwemkoong. Good relationships with the land and waters are key to ensuring that environmental caretaking initiatives last for generation upon generation. Engaging youth is one critical component to building good relations with all beings in all environments in Wiikwemkoong. The purpose of this project is to support youth engagement in the caretaking of Wiikwemkoong’s Meshkoodaying Shkoo Sii, an “Outdoor Learning Environment” and important wetland to the community, while fostering intergenerational knowledge transfer, monitoring biodiversity, and emphasizing the value of weaving Indigenous and Western science for the benefit of the environment.
The purpose of this project is to support youth engagement in the caretaking of Wiikwemkoong’s Meshkoodaying Shkoo Sii, an “Outdoor Learning Environment” and important wetland to the community, while fostering intergenerational knowledge transfer, and emphasizing the value of weaving Indigenous and Western science for the benefit of the environment.
For more information visit: www.arramatproject.org
The ⴰⵔⵔⴰⵎⴰⵜ Ărramăt Project draws upon research supported by the Government of Canada’s New Frontiers in Research Fund (NFRF). / ⴰⵔⵔⴰⵎⴰⵜ Projet Ărramăt repose sur des recherches financées par le fonds Nouvelles frontières en recherche du gouvernement du Canada.
The photos, audio and information on this page is presented with Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) of those involved. It is designed for Indigenous communities, researchers, and organizations. If you wish to use any information, please contact info@arramatproject.org for guidance on proper citation and to honour the FPIC. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in respecting the purpose and integrity of our resources.
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