"Aanii! Chevaun Toulouse nindizhinikaaz. Sagamok First Nation nindonjibaa. Ginoozhe nindoodem. Anishinaabe kwe ndow. My name is Chevaun Toulouse; I am a mother and a full-time biology and Indigenous environmental science student at Trent University. I am from Sagamok Anishnawbek First Nation.
Growing up on Sagamok Anishnawbek gave me an interest in and respect for the natural environment. As a child, I was outside every day, catching snakes and turtles in the swamps. I was exploring my surroundings, becoming familiar with the plant and animal species that lived around me and in my community.
Photos: Chevaun Toulouse
Sagamok Anishnawbek is situated between Lake Huron and the Spanish River. It is located across from Manitoulin Island, the largest freshwater island in the world. There are many lakes and wetlands in my community, home to many wetland species now at risk.
I am currently working on a Pollinator Project in Sagamok Anishnawbek First Nation with the help from the Jane Goodall Foundation Indigenous Micro-grants Program. I have recently reached out to local environmental and pollinator groups who have graciously provided resources, information and native seeds for the pollinator program!
Last year I was a successful applicant of the Nature Canada Young Nature Leaders Grant and I used that funding to obtain some cold hardy pollinator seeds. The harvest was shared with the Sagamok community foodbank and seeds kept for this upcoming season! I have also been working on Ojibwe/Chippewa/Anishinaabe flora and fauna lists and sharing them with communities, conservation authorities, schools, environmental groups, language groups, etc.
Regaining knowledge that was lost, I have grown to understand the inherent responsibility I feel to care for the land. The connection to the land is a foundation in Anishnaabe culture, and it is this connection that allows me to care deeply about biodiversity and the importance of healthy ecosystems."