Image courtesy of Picking Up The Bundles Canoe Journey.

Waasekom completed a month long canoe journey on August 4 at the Nottawasaga River in Collingwood, Ontario.

In an August 3 media release, the Picking Up The Bundles Canoe Journey began on July 5, 2020 from Aazhoodena and proceeded along the shores of Lake Huron, to the northern point of the Saugeen Peninsula and then to the south shores of Georgian Bay. It followed the shoreline of Waasekom’s home territory belonging to the Saugeen Ojibway Nation.

See: A Canoe Journey in Saugeen Ojibway Nation territory

“This journey has been different from the last ones that I have done,” Waasekom explained. “Being on the territory is important in remembering my ancestral connections and responsibilities as a community member. I see the many ways we are all picking up our roles and responsibilities as the original people of this land. This includes asserting our rights to title, governance and jurisdiction.”

Waasekom has brought awareness to Saugeen Ojibway Nation’s Aboriginal Title Claim to the territorial waters surrounding the Saugeen Peninsula. The claim has been in court since April 25, 2019.

While canoeing, Waassekom observed the issues of settler private management of the land. “There’s a lot of protected areas in this territory, but there are also lots of areas that have been converted into private land. We have been reminding people along the way that we are still your hosts and we have every right to be here.”

Waasekom landed at the Nottowasaga River and was greeted by friends, family, supporters, and community members.