b'Georgian Bay Anishinaabek YouthThe Georgian Bay Anishinaabek Youth (GBAY) is an Indigenous youth-led grassroots initiative in partnership with the Georgian Bay Biosphere. GBAY is a community-based organization that works with partners to support Indigenous youth ages 13 to 29 throughout the rivers and eastern shore of Mnidoo-Gamii (Georgian Bay).GBAY is located in Parry Sound, Ontario, within the Robinson-Huron Treaty Territory of 1850 and the UNESCO-designated Georgian Bay Biosphere Reserve (2004). Anishinaabe ininemowin (thought/philosophy) is the founda-tion of GBAY. Through Anishinaabe aadziwin (cultural land-based learning) for mentorship and capacity building, our goal is to create safe spaces for Indigenous youth to build strong community and cultural connections.Our first project as GBAY was building Oshkinigig, our wiigwaas jiimaan (birch bark canoe) in October 2019. WithThe Georgian Bay Anishinaabek Youth team at the Wiigwaas Jiimaan ceremony, October 2019. From left to community support and guided by the expertise of theright: Taylor Judge, Dawson Bloor, Kyla Judge and Gracie Crafts.jiimaanke (canoe building) team, Oshkinigig was built in 19 intensive and beautiful days. Oshkinigig is the name of our jiimaan, telling a story of young Anishinaabek perseveringThe many projects, programming and partnerships of GBAY to learn their ancestral ways. This loosely translates to Theare examples of strengthening and flourishing Indigenous New Ones. innovation. In an era of reconciliation, it is necessary for The wiigwaas jiimaan is deeply rooted within AnishinaabekIndigenous youth to see their realities as protectors and stewards identity and culture, connecting people to the water, to theof the land, reflected throughout Mnidoo-Gamii.land and to each other. A jiimaanke (canoe build) is a groupWant to support GBAY? Visit the following to learn more: effort, bringing together families and community members ofWeb: gbbr.ca/Anishinaabek-youthall ages and skills. Building a jiimaan (canoe) is one of the mostFacebook and Instagram: @GeorgianBayAnishinaabekYouth complex forms of Anishinaabek science and technology. Email: culture@gbbr.caSault Ste. Marie International BridgeThousand Islands Bridge Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario Lansdowne, OntarioSeaway International BridgeBlue Water Bridge Cornwall, Ontario Point Edward, OntarioProud Partner ofOur Local First Nations Communitieswww.federalbridge.caI ssue1 2020C hIefs ofo ntarIoA dvocAte magazIne l 31'