October Newsletter

Eagle Lake Moose Camp was co-founded in 2010 by Marlene Landon, Program Coordinator of Waashkootsi Nanaadawe’iyewigamig and Bernadette Wabange of Eagle Lake First Nation. The idea came from Bernadette after a visit with her in-laws from up north as they spent a whole week on the land. The beginning of Moose Camp was indeed humble as the call for participants resulted in 4 of us takings boats with camping gear and food to last us a week. Each year since then, Moose Camp has grown to participants of 45 – 50 people.

2022 Moose Camp Eagle Lake was a Partnership with Lakehead University and Waasegiizhig Nanaadawe’iyewigamig. Tyanna Carpenter initiated the project but was concluded with Marlene Landon. The purpose of the partnership was for the Lakehead University’s master student to complete their Research project on Food Security and Governance on the Land. The Agichigiizhigoonag Program were involved with the project and included Tyanna Carpenter and Jason Cortvriendt.

“Participating in the annual Eagle Lake Moose Hunt as part of the research collaboration with Lakehead University into food sovereignty was by far the most meaningful experience for me. Being my first time witnessing and participating in a moose harvest – from tracking and calling the moose in, to the harvesting of the hide and meat – this was an experience that I will not take for granted. The Eagle Lake community members – the moose hunt organizers, guides, elders, knowledge keepers, cooks and support people – were all so very accepting, and supportive. I felt very welcome. The guides and elders were very gentle teachers and took the time to explain the process and guide us through harvesting the hide and meat. This really showed me the importance of community, the importance of Tah na com’e qhe zin (to keep busy) people eating healthy, participating in physical activities and working collectively. I have a greater appreciation for the hard work that goes into harvesting foods for a community. I have a greater understanding that it takes a collective effort and that everyone has an equally important and vital role to play in providing for a community. Again, this is an experience that I will not soon forget and am ever grateful for having the opportunity to participate in.
Key factors in this experience are the agencies commitment to fostering healthy Anishinaabeg and communities and the recognition of the importance of practices that support both. Another key factor and the most important is the community members of Eagle Lake and the values that they place on such an important event. My involvement would not have been possible without the connection to my direct supervisor Marlene Landon, who is not only a member of the Eagle Lake community, but also one of the moose hunt organizers. Without Marlene’s value in this community practice and her willingness to share this experience with people outside of her community it would not have been possible for me to participate.” -Jason Cortvriendt, Emotional Wellness Therapist

“Eagle Lake’s Moose Camp was indeed a success and a dream come true for me. During the last day I took some pictures and witnessed the Elders and Knowledge Keepers sharing their teachings with the Youth and young adults of the Camp. I witnessed Youths and Elders laughing and talking to each other in a respectful and meaningful way. They worked together and the youths were mindful of their elder’s limitations. They carried water, packed the heavy moose, cut the meat up. Set the nets and pulled them back up full of walleye and then watched them fillet together. Even with the fish fry the elder sat and cooked the fish while the youths cut up the potatoes, boiled them then fried the potatoes up under the watchful eye of the Elders. Good teachings all around. The pipe was lifted and smoked, prayers and tobacco was offered on a daily basis. You could see the youths making their offerings, such a beautiful sight to behold. Miiqwetch!” -Marlene Landon