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Sault Ste. Marie Learning Circle

September 17th, 2009 Notes

Algoma University
11 am to 1 pm

Continuing from last month’s Circle, the group started with a go around to make new introductions. Sharon Sayers, Economic Development Officer from Garden River joined the Circle. Given only half the group was present, the group continued with the same question from the previous circle, answering the question “What economic development project would you like to work on?”

• Visual representation Indigenizing the city (i.e. highlighting the transportation routes/trails along Anishinaabek travel ways, marking significant locations or groups of Anishinaabek, plaques).

• Walking trails throughout the city/map of sites that are connected by a trail or sort etc.; organized around four anchors in a similar fashion that malls develop their layout (in the East a specific site, in the South etc.); create a self-directed trail.

• Something that reflects Anishinaabek philosophy (i.e. a statue of single ‘important man’ doesn’t reflect the value of family based activities or that ‘everyone is important’)

Jude Ortiz had come to the group for a letter of support for a proposed project involving the above points. Other supporters include NORDIK, SSM Museum, SSM Library, Metis Nation of Ontario, Batchewana First Nation, Garden First Nation, Tourism SSM and Indian Friendship Centre (who would be the lead project coordinator). The proposed start date would be April 2010 and would be a year long. Natalie Waboose will start the initial research for the “Cultural Mapping Project”; she has already started research for the environmental scan that can be used for this project.

The final proposed outline draft of the environmental scan was presented to the group and given approval. The final draft is to be presented for December. Other areas that are to be included:

• High areas of Urban Aboriginal population

• Homelessness

It was presented to the group for discussion and future thought about an urban Aboriginal Reserve for Sault Ste. Marie. Sioux Lookout is hosting an economic development summit addressing the urban Reserve initiative as well as other issues. This is still open for discussion.