Synapcity Sessions: Climate Allyship on Algonquin Territory

Join Synapcity and the Assembly of 7 Generations (A7G) for a workshop session examining Climate Allyship on Algonquin Territory. At the event we will discuss several key concerns that are occurring on Algonquin Territory including climate change, sustainability, waste, land use, water protection, clean energy and more.

The event will begin with short presentations from our speakers Shannon Chief, Dara Wawatie-Chabot and words from former Grand Chief of the Algonquin Anishinabeg Nation, Verna Polson. Shannon Chief is the project coordinator of the Anishinaabe Moose Research Committee, where she fights against climate challenges such as logging and sport hunting. Dara Wawatie-Chabot is an Anishinaabe person working within the clean energy and just transition for Indigenous inclusion. They share knowledge with local communities and advocate for the restitution of decision-making to land-based Indigenous people who carry the knowledge of living in a good way with all of Creation. Verna Polson is the former Grand Chief of the Algonquin Anishinabeg First Nation. Verna is strong willed, strong in spirit, dedicated, and determined. Verna will outline some of the challenges that are facing the Algonquin Nation around climate change and highlight how allyship can help.

Following the presentations, our speakers will be in conversation with Gabrielle Fayant-Lewis, co-founder of Assembly of 7 Generations. There will be time for Q & A during the panel conversation. Following this, we will gather in small breakout groups to discuss various forms of climate allyship on Algonquin Territory.

We are proud to partner on this event with the Assembly of Seven Generations (A7G). A7G is an Indigenous youth led & driven grassroots, non profit organization focused on community support and opportunities for Indigenous youth, based in Unceded Algonquin Territory. They have been actively working as A7G since 2014. They incorporated as a national non profit organization in 2015. Their work continues to expand as their networks and capacity grow with the needs and aspirations of Indigenous youth. Their mission is to co-create a supportive Indigenous youth-led community through a grassroots way of being.

Doors open at 530pm with the proceedings starting at 6pm. This event is taking place in Ottawa, on the unceded, unsurrendered Territory of the Anishinaabe Algonquin Nation whose presence here reaches back to time immemorial. We recognize the Algonquins as the customary keepers and defenders of the Ottawa River Watershed and its tributaries. We honor their long history of welcoming many Nations to this beautiful territory and uphold and uplift the voice and values of our Host Nation.

*A limited number of complimentary subsidized tickets are available for this event. Should you be able to afford to purchase a ticket, we encourage you to do so so that we may be able to cover the costs of the venue and food. A light grazing menu will be served at the event.

Speaker Bios:

​Gabrielle Fayant-Lewis originates from Fishing Lake Metis Settlement, AB. Gabrielle is an award-winning woman for her work in her community, her dedication to supporting young people, and amplifying grassroots efforts. Gabrielle is passionate about cultural resurgence, revitalization and restitution for all Indigenous peoples. She has worked with several Indigenous and non-profit organizations.

Shannon Chief was born and raised to the wolf clan of the Anishinaabe-Algonquin Nation. She lives in western Quebec, on traditional Algonquin territory in and around what is known as La Verendrye Park. In all the work she does she work in defense of Indigenous cultures. She contributes at various levels to the decolonization and the restoration of the sovereignty of her people. She fights ardently against the challenges stemming from extractive development – from logging to sport hunting – and climate change which all have cruel repercussions in her nation. She is project coordinator of the Anishnabe Moose Research Committee.

Dara Wawatie-Chabot is an Anishinaabe person living in the so-called national capital region, working within the clean energy and just transition field for Indigenous inclusion. They are a single parent of two young children and have been working towards obtaining an undergraduate degree in political science at the University of Ottawa since 2014. It was through their studies that they began to understand the complex system of settler-colonialism, resource extraction and globalization, and how these systems continue to impact Indigenous communities across the globe. Although their time is extremely limited due to raising two children alone, they continue to share knowledge with local communities and advocate for the restitution of decision-making to land-based Indigenous people who carry the knowledge of living in a good way with all of Creation.

Verna Polson is the former Grand Chief of the Algonquin Anishinabeg First Nation. Verna is strong willed, strong in spirit, dedicated, and determined. Verna rose to national prominence in 2019 when she staged a multi day hunger strike on Parliament Hill to draw attention to the Algonquin Nation’s right to share on the 100 Wellington Indigenous Space project announced by the Government that same year. She continues to be a strong voice for the Algonquin People she serves. Verna is also a renowned musician and drummer.