January 6, 2025 • 41 mins
In this inaugural episode of the Bridging Relations podcast, Anthony Blair Dreaver Johnston, a descendant of Chief Mistawasis, shares the visionary journey behind Bridge to Land Water Sky—Canada’s first Indigenous-led living lab. Discover how the fusion of Western science and Indigenous wisdom is revitalizing sustainable agriculture, from building partnerships rooted in historical treaties and ceremonies to engaging youth in transformative agricultural initiatives. Anthony's insights, including the reintroduction of buffalo as a symbol of restoration, highlight the power of diverse partnerships and cultural values in driving reconciliation and a hopeful future for sustainable land and community relationships.
The Bridge to Land Water Sky living lab is part of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s nationwide network of living labs, under the Agricultural Climate Solutions – Living Labs program. Each living lab brings together farmers, scientists and other partners to develop and improve on-farm solutions that will help store carbon, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and address other environmental issues – such as soil health, water quality and biodiversity.
Hosted by: Michelle Brass
Produced by: Maddie Gould
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:07):
Hello and welcome to the Bridging Relations podcast.
Here we dive into diverseperspectives on agriculture and
land management, blendingWestern science and farmer
expertise with Indigenous wisdomand knowledge.
Together we can addresschallenges and opportunities
that enhance agriculturalpractices to support healthy
land, water and sky for futuregenerations.
(00:29):
Thank you for joining us onthis journey.
Welcome to the first episode ofthe Bridging Relations podcast.
Today we're going to learnabout Bridge to Land Water Sky,
the first Indigenous-led livinglab in Canada.
We're going to discover what aliving lab is, how this project
(00:50):
came about and learn more aboutthe vision and goals of this
organization.
My guest today is Anthony BlairDrever Johnston.
He's a member of Mistawasis andhe's also a descendant of Chief
Mistawasis, who was hisgreat-great-great-grandfather,
and so Anthony likes to sayantof Chief Mistawasis, who was his
great-great-great-grandfather,and so Anthony likes to say he's
from Mistawasis and ofMistawasis.
Anthony spent the first half ofhis life living off-reserve but
(01:14):
returned to Mistawasis in 1995to work in service of his
community.
Today he holds an important andvalued role with Bridge to Land
Water Sky, and he's with metoday to share more about the
groundbreaking project.
Hi, anthony.
Speaker 2 (01:28):
Hi Michelle.
Speaker 1 (01:30):
So tell us what is Bridge to Land, water, sky?
Speaker 2 (01:35):
The Bridge to Land Water Sky is an Indigenous-led
initiative as part of theAgriculture Climate Solutions
Living Lab Initiative that'sadministered by Agriculture
Agri-Food Canada.
Mr Walsh is the lead FirstNation.
The idea to be part of thisfederal initiative sprang mainly
(01:59):
from years of collaborationamongst neighboring First Nation
communities, variousnon-government organizations
that are within and operate inour traditional territory, and
years of partnership andprojects with the University of
Saskatchewan and differentlevels of government.
(02:19):
I believe as an individualFirst Nation, we wouldn't have
had the resources to considerapplying to the Living Lab
initiative.
It's only because we had yearsof collaboration with various
partners that we felt equippedand we were all pleased to be
the first and onlyIndigenous-led Living Lab in
(02:41):
Canada.
Ageless-led living lab inCanada.
The name Bridge to Land WaterSky comes from two or three
related ideas.
One is a bridge connects people, communities and land.
A bridge can also connectgenerations, so the name comes
(03:05):
from ideas of the past, thepresent and hopes for a shared
good future.
Bridge to Land Water Sky alsohopes to revive the ancient
connection and relationship allpeople had around the world to
land water sky and, as part ofthe Agricultural Climate
(03:28):
Solutions, we believe thatthat's one of the solutions to
the climate world that we findourselves troubled by today is
there's need for a more intimateconnection relationship to land
, water, sky.
Speaker 1 (03:44):
Oh, that's wonderful.
I love the name and how it'scome about, and the purpose of
looking into these issues thatwe're facing today is really
important and I want to ask youmore about that.
But first I want to ask what aliving lab is for people who
haven't heard this term before,what is a living lab?
Speaker 2 (04:01):
The idea of a living lab has been around for a number
of years, not just in Canadabut around the world.
So the idea of a living lab.
Of course, in a lab,experiments are undertaken.
So, with the focus onagriculture and the shared wish
for good soil, good land forfuture generations, there's
(04:25):
likely need to change somecurrent farming practices and so
, by working with all of ourpartners, including people that
work the land, that have cattle,look for ways together where
practices might be changed tostill be productive.
(04:47):
We all need to make a living,but at the same time, from
discussions, we realize thateveryone wants a good future.
So if somebody is growing crops, raising cattle on the land,
they want that land to behealthy for future generations.
So, again, for us it's allabout collaboration,
(05:12):
relationships and finding waysto work together, because we can
easily realize that we want thesame thing and that's the good
future.
Also, as part of theAgricultural Climate Solutions
Living Lab initiative, part ofthe objective is to collect data
(05:34):
on greenhouse reduction andcarbon capture.
So, while we have partners thattake care of the science aspect
of the initiative, we want toplace an equal focus on social
aspects, social sciences, therelationships, working with
neighbors, working with partnersand working with friends.
Speaker 1 (05:59):
And tell me a bit more about that.
Why is that so important aspart of this organization and
the vision a bit?
Speaker 2 (06:05):
more about that.
Why is that so important aspart of this organization and
the vision?
Well, I'm sure it would be easyto realize or discover that
over the years, over the decades, over the generations, we find
that single solution ideas toproblems almost never work.
Single solution ideas toproblems almost never work.
(06:27):
That by sitting down togetherand understanding one another,
we likely need a multitude ofsolutions or changes.
Speaker 1 (06:33):
Right, so tell me a little bit more on the vision
and the goals for Bridge to LandWater Sky.
Speaker 2 (06:40):
In many ways, ancient people around the world, I
believe, look to the past, thepresent and the future in
individual and collective action.
There's need to hear stories,have data about how things were
(07:00):
in the past, what worked, whatdidn't work, in order to be more
successful today, and, at thesame time, there's need to
combine our understanding of thepast with present day realities
in order to make that betterfuture.
And so, for me, part of thevision is to think and prepare
(07:21):
and plan like our ancestors,like by looking at the past,
trying to understand what'shappening today, in order to
make that good future.
Speaker 1 (07:36):
That's wonderful.
So how long has everyone beenworking together, how long has
the bridge to Land, water, skybeen in existence, and how long
have you all been workingtogether?
Speaker 2 (07:43):
Well.
For me and the work that I'vebeen doing in recent years, it
began around 2010.
From 2010 to 2015, missed Oasis, like many communities in
central Saskatchewan,saskatchewan and the Prairies,
had problems with high water andflooding.
(08:03):
It seemed each year there wasdifferent extreme weather events
that we were trying to adjustand adapt to.
In 2013, mr Walz wasconsidering applying for federal
funding support, but werealized that we could not act
alone.
We needed partners.
We needed certain partners, andso we decided not to apply for
(08:26):
funding that year but thefollowing year, because we made
connections with differentnon-government organizations,
the University of Saskatchewan,different provincial federal
agencies, as well as connectionswith our non-Indigenous and
First Nation neighbors, with ournon-Indigenous and First Nation
(08:47):
neighbours.
We called these differentpeople to Mistawas to talk about
our shared concern for highwater and flooding and the need
to all work together because wewere all having the same
problems.
A result of that gathering wasa three-year project funded by
Environment Canada that wecalled Honour the Water.
I felt that Mistawas was havingproblems with the water because
(09:09):
we didn't understand thelandscape that we call home.
We lost the connection.
So, through Honor the Water, wehope to re-establish that
connection.
From that three year Honor theWater we found we strengthened
some partnerships and friendshipthat we had with different
organizations, but we also foundnew friends and new partners
(09:31):
and over the years since 2015,different partners at times
approached Mr Walses to partneron new initiatives.
Or, in the case where Mr Walseswanted to lead certain projects
, or in the case where Mr Wassiswanted to lead certain projects
, we had partners that we couldcall on to join us and work with
(09:55):
us.
Sometimes things begin withproblems and, of course, I might
have my own solutions thatmight work for me, but it
doesn't necessarily work forsomeone else.
It doesn't work for my neighbor, it doesn't necessarily work
for someone else.
It doesn't work for my neighborand on most environmental,
climate, landscape matters, ourneighbors are impacted.
Different organizations workingwithin the region are being
(10:16):
impacted, so it's important tocollaborate and work with others
to find solutions to problemsthat impact all of us.
Speaker 1 (10:27):
Exactly right.
And when you're thinking aboutthe climate and the changing
landscape and the impacts, it isall interconnected right.
So there is this viewpoint ofhow can we address issues just
in our own little parcel of landwhen the waterways, the soils,
the air, the communities are sointertwined and interconnected.
It just makes sense to do itthis way, and yet we haven't
(10:50):
really seen that happening.
Tell me a little bit about howit's working at Bridge to Land,
Water, Sky, to have thiscollaboration.
Speaker 2 (10:57):
Well, I think for us it's working and for our
partners it's working and forour partners it's working.
We have a number oforganizations, communities that
are part of our core team and,of course, we've all worked
together for a number of years.
We have a larger group ofsupporters that are regional in
(11:22):
scope, provincial and nationalin scope.
We also have individualproducers that are in crop
production on Mistawasas, neheYawak and on Muskeg Lake, cree
Nation that are working with us.
As part of the Bridge to Land,water Sky and, as mentioned
(11:46):
earlier, with the Living LabInitiative and the need for
certain scientific data, we havea team of scientists and
researchers based out of theUniversity of Saskatchewan.
That team of scientistsresearchers works with federal
scientists and researchers.
We also have a couple of verylarge grain producers that farm
land on Mistawossalsh's and MuskEgg.
They have their own scientists'advisors and the three
(12:11):
different groups of scientistshave been looking for ways to
work together, which is, ofcourse, the basic idea of the
bridge just different groupsthat have different interests
finding ways to work together.
And I believe from thisinitiative, the bridge, but also
(12:31):
past initiatives, projects,we've been attracting the
attention of differentnon-government organizations,
different federal departments.
So, despite the bridge to Landborder sky having five years of
funding through our partnershipsand friendship, we hope to
continue on after the five-yearperiod.
Speaker 1 (12:56):
So I'd like to go back to the vision after five
years.
But just before that, can youtell me who your partners are?
You mentioned Muskeg Lake CreeNation University of
Saskatchewan.
Of course you're with Mr Wassis.
Who are the other partnersinvolved with this?
Speaker 2 (13:14):
Today and in recent years, we've been working with
three schools and colleges thatare based out of the University
of Saskatchewan.
That are based out of theUniversity of Saskatchewan.
A number of years ago, wepartnered and have what's
normally called a Memorandum ofUnderstanding with the School of
Environment and Sustainability,but we didn't like the phrase
(13:36):
Memorandum of Understanding, sowe gave it a Cree name.
That, in simple English, meansmake a promise.
So we have a make a promiseagreement with the School of
Environment and Sustainability,the College of Arts and Science
and most important for thebridge, the College of
Agriculture and Bio Resources.
(13:58):
These agreements these make apromise agreements are fairly
general in nature, in that theagreement simply states that
we'll look for ways to worktogether.
We also have Redberry LakeUNESCO Biosphere Region as one
of our key partners and,although it's not a direct
(14:23):
partner because it doesn'treally exist anymore, we have
the North Saskatchewan RiverBasin Council, and the former
manager of that River BasinCouncil is now the project
manager for Bridge to Land WaterSky.
So not only do we partner andmake friends with different
organizations, we also stealtheir people to come and work
(14:46):
full time for us.
Speaker 1 (14:49):
That's awesome.
Well, it just sounds like it'sa passion project for a lot of
people too, that they reallybelieve in it.
Speaker 2 (14:59):
Yes, is the Saskatchewan Aboriginal Land
Technicians.
The acronym S-A-L-T is a groupthat has representatives from
each First Nation inSaskatchewan, and some of the
(15:20):
members of the core team mayhave two or three people that
represent their community,nation or organization.
Speaker 1 (15:31):
Okay, and tell me a bit about how did you get
involved?
Speaker 2 (15:35):
Well, some of my work that I describe the different
projects, the differentinitiatives, the different
partnerships.
I worked out of a departmentthat was called Special Projects
and in many ways I feel that Iwas very fortunate to be given
the freedom to explorepossibilities on behalf of Mr
Wallace's council and ourdifferent Mr Wallace's
(15:58):
departments.
I quickly realized that notonly provincially but nationally
, I had a special positionbecause I was given that freedom
just to explore possibilities.
Quite often when Indigenouscommunities undertake
environmental projects, they'reoften assigned to people that
(16:19):
already have a full-time job andaren't able to dedicate time to
certain special projects.
But I had that freedom.
And because I work on otherprojects, we realized because we
had existing partners that hadcollaborated on environmental
(16:42):
matters, we were a good fit forthe Living Lab initiative.
Speaker 1 (16:48):
And what is it that made you a good fit?
Speaker 2 (16:52):
I think maybe simply that we were open to working
with others.
We didn't limit who we workedwith and over the years, I would
sometimes get a tap on theshoulder and say, hey, anthony,
would Mr Walsh's be interestedin this or that?
Or get an email or a phone call, anthony, I have an idea.
(17:16):
Do you think Mr Walsh wouldwant to be part of this?
And it's because we are open toworking with others, I think,
makes us a good fit for manydifferent things, and those same
ideas, I think, can be appliedto other issues that communities
are facing.
When I mentioned back in 2013,2014, that we needed to find
(17:44):
partners because we couldn'thandle matters of high water and
flooding on our own, werealized that in many ways, we
lacked the resources andexpertise.
So that's why we sought outpartners that may have had
experience, expertise andresources to deal with some of
the problems we were facing.
And at that time, problems wewere facing and at that time, we
(18:06):
were looking at what made ourancestors strong, successful
people, and we realized thatback in the day, our ancestors
followed the buffalo.
There was need for a greatnumber of people to work
together, sometimes people fromdifferent nations, from
(18:26):
different tribes, there was needto work together in order to
follow and harvest a herd ofanimals that numbered in the
tens of millions, and so, ofcourse, we realized well, our
ancestors found strength byworking with others, and now, in
the 21st century, the exampleof our ancestors is today we
find strength by working withothers well, I just love that,
(18:52):
and it reminds me of somethingyou had said earlier about
signing the memorandum ofunderstandings with the
different departments at theuniversity of saskatchewan, and
that you used a cree term thatwould translate to a
make-a-promise agreement.
A Sota is a sacred term.
It's not used in everydaylanguage, but because I
(19:15):
explained the meaning and intentof make-a-promise, I can share
that.
Speaker 1 (19:21):
Wonderful Thank you.
Speaker 2 (19:24):
I did not grow up speaking my language, but
through a different project ordifferent work, I was looking
for a word.
In our language that meanstreaty, and so a sota, or make a
promise, is the term.
And again, our ancestors madetreaty with one another, between
(19:49):
different tribes.
Before there was a countrycalled Canada, before treaties
with the crown, our Indigenousnations made treaties with one
another, and when we madetreaties we lifted the pipe.
And in our treaties, when wemade promises, the creator was
(20:10):
our witness.
So for us, our ancient methodsand methods ceremony that we use
today when we lift a pipe andmake a promise, those actions,
those ceremonies are moreimportant and more true than
simply putting your signature ona piece of paper.
(20:30):
So when we had these Make aPromise agreements with the
different schools and colleges,at the university and as part of
the bridge, we also had a Makea Promise agreement with Muskeg
Lake Cree Nation, one of ourcore partners, and although we
did sign a piece of paper, it isthe 21st century we also
(20:51):
included ceremony.
So for us, the ceremony is justas important, if not more
important, than what's writtenon a piece of paper.
And when I speak about partners, sometimes I say friends.
Some of our present daypartnerships began off in
friendship.
We would meet one another andthen think about and talk about
(21:15):
different ways that we can worktogether.
So some of our currentpartnerships, I'd like to say,
began off in friendship and Ithink those types of partnership
are much more true andlong-lasting.
Speaker 1 (21:31):
So tell me a bit about how important is it to you
that we are bringing this wayof doing things an Indigenous
way of doing things to theseprojects and collaborations.
Speaker 2 (21:42):
Well, I think that in the 21st century, without
realizing it, we alwaysundertake ceremony, whether it's
simply a handshake, sittingdown, having coffee together or,
at different meetings, sharinga meal.
Those are ceremonies, andperhaps in the 21st century
(22:05):
we're so caught up in thingsthat we don't realize it.
And Indigenous First Nationsceremony aren't too much
different from those simple actsthat we all have today.
And also the ceremonies can beindividual undertakings or group
(22:27):
undertakings, and it's throughceremony that we connect with
the past, that we connect withLand, water, sky and everything
that has been provided for us.
Speaker 1 (22:39):
So, anthony, I'm curious about your involvement
with Bridge to Land Water Sky.
What is it about this projectthat you're passionate about?
What is it that you really thatyou're passionate about?
What is it that you reallyenjoy about working with this
organization?
Speaker 2 (22:52):
Well, as we mentioned in the introduction and said a
few words about being the firstand only Indigenous-led living
lab in Canada.
So when we first heard andstarted talking about applying
to the initiative, I wanted todo something different.
So there's X number of livinglabs across Canada.
(23:17):
For me, they were all doingrelatively similar things and
although we are one of thesmallest living labs in Canada,
again we are the onlyIndigenous-led.
So I felt we need to dosomething different to be funded
(23:37):
and, although we're notcompleted the five years, I hope
the end result is that we aredifferent, that we are very
different.
There's need to do somethingdifferent.
Speaker 1 (23:52):
And what makes it different here?
Speaker 2 (23:57):
Again, I guess that it is Indigenous-led.
We've worked with our partnersfor a number of years, so we
have that understanding thatthere are likely times where I
can't go to a meeting, but oneof our partners knows what
Anthony will say and I know whatour partners will say.
So I think we're quitecomfortable to some extent of
(24:20):
being able to speak with oneanother because we know and
understand one another and ourdifferent perspectives and
different interests, and so weall, despite individuals wanting
things their own way, as acollaboration we realize there's
need to include or ensure thateveryone at the table is
(24:44):
represented and has a voice.
Speaker 1 (24:48):
And tell me about your role with Bridge to Land
Water Sky.
What role do you play?
Speaker 2 (24:53):
Well, I'm trying to retire Right.
When we first applied forfunding for the Bridge to Land
Water Sky, I was workingfull-time as a special projects
worker for Mr Wallace's NeheYawak.
That was close to the timewhere this thing called COVID
(25:14):
came to Canada and, maybe partlybecause of my age and some
minor breathing problems, covidscared me quite a bit and I had
thoughts of slowing down andmaybe retiring full-time.
And just after having thosethoughts and I did take a
six-month break from full-timeemployment I received this email
(25:38):
from Ottawa from this personthat I had never heard about
before and said Anthony, can wehave a phone call?
And of course that was newsthat Mr Wallace's Bridge to Land
Border Sky was successful.
Speaker 1 (25:55):
And what was that like?
What was that call like for you?
Speaker 2 (25:58):
Well, I sort of had to keep it secret for a little
while so I couldn't tell ourfriends and partners right away.
But once it was officiallyannounced and I found sneaky
ways to drop hints, and most ofour friends and partners
(26:18):
understand when I'm hinting atsomething.
But at the same time I wasstill thinking about slowing
down in retirement.
But then I quickly realizedthat amongst our partners there
was a certain person that mightbe able to step in and be a
full-time project manager.
(26:40):
I knew it might have been alittle bit too much for me.
And again, this was stillduring times of COVID, where we
weren't able to connect inperson all the time.
And for me and again, this wasstill during times of COVID,
where we weren't able to connectin person all the time.
And for me, much of our successhas been because of in-person
connections with current and newpartners and friends.
(27:00):
And so, despite the technology,I think those in-person
meetings, I think thosein-person meetings gatherings,
chats, coffee are most importantto strengthen partnerships but
also in finding new partnerships.
And so I've been missing thatpart of things.
(27:35):
But I feel fairly comfortablewith the management of the
Bridge to Land, water, sky andam most comfortable because of
the partners that we have.
When we were first talkingabout what we will do in the
first year of the Bridge to LandWater Sky, my hope was for
myself to take one or two stepsback and be the old man sitting
in this chair banging his canewhen there's need to correct the
(28:01):
collective.
So to some degree I think I'mbeing allowed to do that, but I
still miss being not necessarilythe frontline person but
someone close to the front.
Speaker 1 (28:10):
I just love that imagery of the wise man in the
corner with his cane holdingpeople you know, keeping people
on track and making sure thingsare done right image, and it
just reminds me of the differentroles that people in
(28:30):
partnerships play and and how tocollaborate and and the
different needs of a group andthe different perspectives to
always keep in mind maybe justone thing to add, and I guess
contrast to the old man image isthat for the bridge to land
water sky we're also looking forways to as much as possible
include community youth, highschool and elementary kids.
Speaker 2 (28:56):
They are the future and by including our youth or
school children in some of thework on the Bridge to Land Water
Sky we hope to inspire ouryoung people to consider
post-secondary education, toconsidering getting their truck
driving license, to work for afarmer, or maybe somebody wants
(29:18):
to drive a combine.
So we hope to look for ways tobring our young people from
Muskeg Lake and Mistawasas intothe bridge project and connect
them to some of the scientificwork, or maybe through
discussions with local producersthat are looking for certain
(29:39):
workers.
That might be inspirationenough for our young people to
consider those differentpossibilities.
At one time in the late 1800sand early 1900s, our ancestors,
because of the loss, the nearextinction of the buffalo,
(30:00):
needed a new way to provide forthemselves, to provide for a
community, and because of ourancestors, like Mr Wallace's,
realized that settlement wascoming.
Different forms of agriculturewere coming to the Prairie
Provinces, saskatchewan, toTreaty Six territory, and our
(30:25):
ancestors wanted to learn aboutthese new and different forms of
agriculture and in the late1800s, early 1900s, our
ancestors were very successfulproducers, I believe, because
they had that intimaterelationship with land, water,
(30:45):
sky.
We didn't have a small gardenplot, relationship with land,
water, sky.
We didn't have a small gardenplot.
Our garden was thousands ofsquare kilometers in which we
harvested plants, animals, hunt,trap and fish, and that is an
ancient form of agriculture.
And so when settlers came westfrom a different continent, a
(31:06):
different climate, theystruggled on the prairies
because of the harshness of theprairies.
But our ancestors, my ancestors,were successful because they
had generations of living on theprairies and, again, that
intimate relationship with land,water, sky.
And that's what we hope torevive today, especially with
(31:29):
our young people.
Missed Awases, like many FirstNations, including Muskeg Lake
Cree Nation, has what's calledland-based programming, where
schoolchildren will still learnin the classroom but they learn
out on the land and they learnfrom the land.
As Neheyoak people and manyother tribes, our language comes
(31:53):
from the land, so we're alsoreviving our language through
land-based programming and Iguess these are the other things
that we hope to bring to theidea of a Living Lab initiative.
So when we talk aboutIndigenous traditional knowledge
(32:14):
and ways of being.
These are some of the things wehope to bring to the table and
bring into the thoughts ofothers.
Speaker 1 (32:25):
That's wonderful and so needed right now with our
youth, with the issues thatwe're facing in our communities
and with the health of the landand with the changes that we're
seeing to climate.
So it's such wonderful workthat you're all doing in your
communities and with thepartnerships.
Looking to the future, so youmentioned that it's five years
(32:49):
of funding for Bridge to LandWater Sky.
What year are you currently in?
Speaker 2 (32:54):
We are about to end, in March, our third year, so we
go to 2026, I believe is thefinal year, which happens to be
the 150th anniversary of Treatyno 6.
And through another initiativesimilar to the bridge that we
(33:16):
call Buffalo Trace to Land WaterSky, we hope to bring Buffalo
back to Mr Wass' lands by 2026.
Speaker 1 (33:28):
Oh, that's wonderful and I hope that comes to
fruition for everybody and again.
Speaker 2 (33:34):
I think everything fits and, as I mentioned earlier
, our ancestors, my ancestors,entered treaty with the crown
because of the near loss of thebuffalo, we had to find a new
way to provide for ourselves,and now, in the 21st century,
we're looking for ways to bringthe buffalo.
We had to find a new way toprovide for ourselves and now,
in the 21st century, we'relooking for ways to bring the
buffalo back to be part of thatequation once again.
(33:55):
So, for us as a First Nation,and as we look to define
ourselves as a people and as anation in the 21st century, and
as we work towardsself-determination and
self-government, we often feelthere's something missing, and
what's missing is the buffaloaren't with us, aren't beside us
(34:19):
.
So we're working to bring thebuffalo back to our lands in
order to better define ourselvesas a people and as a nation.
Speaker 1 (34:28):
Mm-hmm, oh, how wonderful.
And to have the return of thebuffalo too.
What would, in order to betterdefine ourselves as a people and
as a nation, how wonderful.
And to have the return of thebuffalo too.
Speaker 2 (34:36):
What would that mean to you to be able to see
something like that?
Well, it could be seeing, but Ithink it's more simply being
aware that buffalo are nearby,that I could go out every day
and see them, or just knowingthat they're there, I think
(34:56):
would be a comfort, similar to atree Knowing there's trees
about is a comfort.
Speaker 1 (35:02):
Yes, yeah, and just being surrounded by our
relatives in that way.
Speaker 2 (35:07):
Yeah, yeah, exactly.
And at one time, when we firstbegan to talk about the bridge
to Land Water Sky and applyingfor the funding, we had thoughts
about including the buffaloBecause the buffalo themselves
if you place buffalo on the land, they're a living lab unto
themselves.
(35:27):
Yes, place buffalo on the land,they're a living lab unto
themselves.
But back then we decided thatthe Mr Ross' work for the
buffalo should be a separateproject, a separate initiative,
and not tied down to certaindeadlines, certain data
requirements, et cetera, etcetera.
We want to take our timebringing back the buffalo.
We want to take our timebringing back the buffalo.
(35:48):
We want to do it right.
But I still stole part of thename to create Buffalo Trace to
Land Water Sky and a buffalotrace, or rather a trace, is
simply a trail, a path that wascreated by the buffalo when
there were tens of millions ofbuffalo moving across the Great
(36:10):
Plains of what we now call NorthAmerica.
So the Buffalo Trace and Bridgeare sort of very similar
meanings.
Speaker 1 (36:18):
I love the thought that was put into the name of
Bridge to Land Water Sky and Ilove the example of Buffalo
Trace as well and the meaningbehind that.
But I love that because withthis organization, with you
talking about the importance ofpartnerships, talking about
reconciliation, coming up withsolutions for the future, just
the intent and intentions putbehind the name and the work
(36:42):
that everyone is doing I thinkis just wonderful and I'm so
glad to hear all of that.
Speaker 2 (36:46):
Well, I think for the living labs across Canada, I
think we have the best name andthe best logo.
Speaker 1 (37:00):
I would agree.
That's wonderful.
So, with the five-year deadlinecoming up, what is it you hope
to achieve?
What would you like to seehappen by then?
Speaker 2 (37:13):
Well, we were just talking about Buffalo and even
though it's not directly part ofthe Bridge to Land Water Sky,
the same ideas are there.
So, at the end of five years,buffalo on Mr Wallace's lands,
our school children, our schoolkids being part of Bridge to
Land Water Sky or there's otherinitiatives that will be waiting
(37:35):
for them, or there's otherinitiatives that will be waiting
for them, or by simply being,by our young people being
involved with the bridge, itmight spark their own interest
to determine other similarprojects.
For Mr Walses, it could besimply a young Mr Walsh's person
(38:01):
getting their truck license tobe able to drive semis or
combines or tractors for aneighboring farmer.
Or it could be somebodystarting a family garden or
maybe having access to a fewacres and grow some specialty
crop For me, few acres and growsome specialty crop For me.
(38:24):
I hope that we spark theimagination of community members
but also spark the imaginationof our current partners and
future partners that we mightacquire over the next couple of
years and that could includeother living labs.
And that could include otherliving labs Once we learn more
about each other, the living labcommunity, we may see other
(38:50):
things being done in otherregions that could work for us
and, as I mentioned earlier, Ibelieve because of our partners
maybe because the name.
Speaker 1 (39:07):
Mistaw Walses is becoming known that there will
be something more after the fiveyears ends.
Yes, you had mentioned thatearlier, the hope that this
would carry on, and do you seethat hopeful, with either more
funding or just carrying on thework in another capacity?
Do you know at this point whatthat might look like beyond the
initial five-year commitment?
Speaker 2 (39:25):
Well, today, despite my so-called retirement, I'm
still getting ideas of newthings from our different
partners, and so we'll find away.
Don't tell the federal fundersthat, though.
Speaker 1 (39:46):
My lips are sealed.
Speaker 2 (39:48):
We still want their money and over the years or I
guess, recent years we'relooking at different sources of
funding as well.
Quite often, first Nationcommunities simply depend on
federal funding and of coursewe're realizing through our
partnership that there's otherpossibilities outside of
(40:11):
government.
Whether they're privatefoundations or universities have
access to research funding thatwe're not eligible for as a
First Nation.
Some of our non-governmentpartners as well can access
certain funding that a FirstNation can't or would have
difficulty accessing.
Speaker 1 (40:32):
Yes, yeah.
Speaker 2 (40:33):
So, again, there's many different possibilities out
there that we haven't fullyexplored yet, but maybe that's
our next step.
Speaker 1 (40:43):
Anthony, it doesn't sound like retirement is
happening for you anytime soon.
Speaker 2 (40:48):
Sometimes I tell people that I might have to live
till I'm 100.
Speaker 1 (40:54):
We'll see how that goes.
Right, we'll see how that goesright.
Well, I think there would bemany, many of us thrilled to
have you continue to do thiswork.
It's such important work andyour passion for it is really
apparent and highly valued fromeveryone that I've spoken to
that's involved with the bridge.
Anthony, is there anythingabout the bridge to Land Water
(41:15):
Sky initiative that I haven'tasked you yet that you feel is
really important for people tobe aware of?
Speaker 2 (41:22):
I think for me and I did mention it earlier is the
importance of, even inday-to-day thought and
day-to-day action, to connectthe past, the present and the
future.
That type of, I guess, thoughtand action in everyday matters
(41:42):
was important to our ancestorsand that ensured their survival.
Speaker 1 (41:51):
And we find ourselves here again, right looking at
challenges that threaten oursurvival and the health of our
waters and communities andrelatives.
Speaker 2 (42:01):
That's why I have to last till 100.
Speaker 1 (42:05):
We need you, anthony.
Well, I really appreciate yourtime today, your generosity and
sharing about the bridge, how itcame about, the value of the
partnerships, the perspectivesthat are being brought forward
and just the collaborativeefforts.
And congratulations on beingpart of the first Indigenous-led
(42:28):
Living Lab in Canada.
I think that's truly anaccomplishment and I'm excited
to see and hear more about wherethis project goes and what it
comes up with, and excited forthe future.
Speaker 2 (42:40):
Quite often I think that I'm doing nothing special.
It's the partners and friendsthat I find that are doing
special things, and with one ortwo friends, we quickly realized
that we were looking for eachother quickly realized that we
were looking for each other andwe found each other and that's
(43:07):
what made things special andwhat makes things work.
Speaker 1 (43:09):
That's perfect.
I love that.
Speaker 2 (43:12):
Thank you so much, Anthony.
Speaker 1 (43:15):
Yes, thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you for listening.
This is the Bridging Relationspodcast.
Looking forward to connectingwith you next time.
Funding for this project hasbeen provided by Agriculture and
Agri-Food Canada through theAgricultural Climate Solutions
(43:36):
Living Labs program.
Hello and welcome to the Bridging Relations podcast.
Here we dive into diverseperspectives on agriculture and
land management, blendingWestern science and farmer
expertise with Indigenous wisdomand knowledge.
Together we can addresschallenges and opportunities
that enhance agriculturalpractices to support healthy
land, water and sky for futuregenerations.
(00:29):
Thank you for joining us onthis journey.
Welcome to the first episode ofthe Bridging Relations podcast.
Today we're going to learnabout Bridge to Land Water Sky,
the first Indigenous-led livinglab in Canada.
We're going to discover what aliving lab is, how this project
(00:50):
came about and learn more aboutthe vision and goals of this
organization.
My guest today is Anthony BlairDrever Johnston.
He's a member of Mistawasis andhe's also a descendant of Chief
Mistawasis, who was hisgreat-great-great-grandfather,
and so Anthony likes to sayantof Chief Mistawasis, who was his
great-great-great-grandfather,and so Anthony likes to say he's
from Mistawasis and ofMistawasis.
Anthony spent the first half ofhis life living off-reserve but
(01:14):
returned to Mistawasis in 1995to work in service of his
community.
Today he holds an important andvalued role with Bridge to Land
Water Sky, and he's with metoday to share more about the
groundbreaking project.
Hi, anthony.
Speaker 2 (01:28):
Hi Michelle.
Speaker 1 (01:30):
So tell us what is Bridge to Land, water, sky?
Speaker 2 (01:35):
The Bridge to Land Water Sky is an Indigenous-led
initiative as part of theAgriculture Climate Solutions
Living Lab Initiative that'sadministered by Agriculture
Agri-Food Canada.
Mr Walsh is the lead FirstNation.
The idea to be part of thisfederal initiative sprang mainly
(01:59):
from years of collaborationamongst neighboring First Nation
communities, variousnon-government organizations
that are within and operate inour traditional territory, and
years of partnership andprojects with the University of
Saskatchewan and differentlevels of government.
(02:19):
I believe as an individualFirst Nation, we wouldn't have
had the resources to considerapplying to the Living Lab
initiative.
It's only because we had yearsof collaboration with various
partners that we felt equippedand we were all pleased to be
the first and onlyIndigenous-led Living Lab in
(02:41):
Canada.
Ageless-led living lab inCanada.
The name Bridge to Land WaterSky comes from two or three
related ideas.
One is a bridge connects people, communities and land.
A bridge can also connectgenerations, so the name comes
(03:05):
from ideas of the past, thepresent and hopes for a shared
good future.
Bridge to Land Water Sky alsohopes to revive the ancient
connection and relationship allpeople had around the world to
land water sky and, as part ofthe Agricultural Climate
(03:28):
Solutions, we believe thatthat's one of the solutions to
the climate world that we findourselves troubled by today is
there's need for a more intimateconnection relationship to land
, water, sky.
Speaker 1 (03:44):
Oh, that's wonderful.
I love the name and how it'scome about, and the purpose of
looking into these issues thatwe're facing today is really
important and I want to ask youmore about that.
But first I want to ask what aliving lab is for people who
haven't heard this term before,what is a living lab?
Speaker 2 (04:01):
The idea of a living lab has been around for a number
of years, not just in Canadabut around the world.
So the idea of a living lab.
Of course, in a lab,experiments are undertaken.
So, with the focus onagriculture and the shared wish
for good soil, good land forfuture generations, there's
(04:25):
likely need to change somecurrent farming practices and so
, by working with all of ourpartners, including people that
work the land, that have cattle,look for ways together where
practices might be changed tostill be productive.
(04:47):
We all need to make a living,but at the same time, from
discussions, we realize thateveryone wants a good future.
So if somebody is growing crops, raising cattle on the land,
they want that land to behealthy for future generations.
So, again, for us it's allabout collaboration,
(05:12):
relationships and finding waysto work together, because we can
easily realize that we want thesame thing and that's the good
future.
Also, as part of theAgricultural Climate Solutions
Living Lab initiative, part ofthe objective is to collect data
(05:34):
on greenhouse reduction andcarbon capture.
So, while we have partners thattake care of the science aspect
of the initiative, we want toplace an equal focus on social
aspects, social sciences, therelationships, working with
neighbors, working with partnersand working with friends.
Speaker 1 (05:59):
And tell me a bit more about that.
Why is that so important aspart of this organization and
the vision a bit?
Speaker 2 (06:05):
more about that.
Why is that so important aspart of this organization and
the vision?
Well, I'm sure it would be easyto realize or discover that
over the years, over the decades, over the generations, we find
that single solution ideas toproblems almost never work.
Single solution ideas toproblems almost never work.
(06:27):
That by sitting down togetherand understanding one another,
we likely need a multitude ofsolutions or changes.
Speaker 1 (06:33):
Right, so tell me a little bit more on the vision
and the goals for Bridge to LandWater Sky.
Speaker 2 (06:40):
In many ways, ancient people around the world, I
believe, look to the past, thepresent and the future in
individual and collective action.
There's need to hear stories,have data about how things were
(07:00):
in the past, what worked, whatdidn't work, in order to be more
successful today, and, at thesame time, there's need to
combine our understanding of thepast with present day realities
in order to make that betterfuture.
And so, for me, part of thevision is to think and prepare
(07:21):
and plan like our ancestors,like by looking at the past,
trying to understand what'shappening today, in order to
make that good future.
Speaker 1 (07:36):
That's wonderful.
So how long has everyone beenworking together, how long has
the bridge to Land, water, skybeen in existence, and how long
have you all been workingtogether?
Speaker 2 (07:43):
Well.
For me and the work that I'vebeen doing in recent years, it
began around 2010.
From 2010 to 2015, missed Oasis, like many communities in
central Saskatchewan,saskatchewan and the Prairies,
had problems with high water andflooding.
(08:03):
It seemed each year there wasdifferent extreme weather events
that we were trying to adjustand adapt to.
In 2013, mr Walz wasconsidering applying for federal
funding support, but werealized that we could not act
alone.
We needed partners.
We needed certain partners, andso we decided not to apply for
(08:26):
funding that year but thefollowing year, because we made
connections with differentnon-government organizations,
the University of Saskatchewan,different provincial federal
agencies, as well as connectionswith our non-Indigenous and
First Nation neighbors, with ournon-Indigenous and First Nation
(08:47):
neighbours.
We called these differentpeople to Mistawas to talk about
our shared concern for highwater and flooding and the need
to all work together because wewere all having the same
problems.
A result of that gathering wasa three-year project funded by
Environment Canada that wecalled Honour the Water.
I felt that Mistawas was havingproblems with the water because
(09:09):
we didn't understand thelandscape that we call home.
We lost the connection.
So, through Honor the Water, wehope to re-establish that
connection.
From that three year Honor theWater we found we strengthened
some partnerships and friendshipthat we had with different
organizations, but we also foundnew friends and new partners
(09:31):
and over the years since 2015,different partners at times
approached Mr Walses to partneron new initiatives.
Or, in the case where Mr Walseswanted to lead certain projects
, or in the case where Mr Wassiswanted to lead certain projects
, we had partners that we couldcall on to join us and work with
(09:55):
us.
Sometimes things begin withproblems and, of course, I might
have my own solutions thatmight work for me, but it
doesn't necessarily work forsomeone else.
It doesn't work for my neighbor, it doesn't necessarily work
for someone else.
It doesn't work for my neighborand on most environmental,
climate, landscape matters, ourneighbors are impacted.
Different organizations workingwithin the region are being
(10:16):
impacted, so it's important tocollaborate and work with others
to find solutions to problemsthat impact all of us.
Speaker 1 (10:27):
Exactly right.
And when you're thinking aboutthe climate and the changing
landscape and the impacts, it isall interconnected right.
So there is this viewpoint ofhow can we address issues just
in our own little parcel of landwhen the waterways, the soils,
the air, the communities are sointertwined and interconnected.
It just makes sense to do itthis way, and yet we haven't
(10:50):
really seen that happening.
Tell me a little bit about howit's working at Bridge to Land,
Water, Sky, to have thiscollaboration.
Speaker 2 (10:57):
Well, I think for us it's working and for our
partners it's working and forour partners it's working.
We have a number oforganizations, communities that
are part of our core team and,of course, we've all worked
together for a number of years.
We have a larger group ofsupporters that are regional in
(11:22):
scope, provincial and nationalin scope.
We also have individualproducers that are in crop
production on Mistawasas, neheYawak and on Muskeg Lake, cree
Nation that are working with us.
As part of the Bridge to Land,water Sky and, as mentioned
(11:46):
earlier, with the Living LabInitiative and the need for
certain scientific data, we havea team of scientists and
researchers based out of theUniversity of Saskatchewan.
That team of scientistsresearchers works with federal
scientists and researchers.
We also have a couple of verylarge grain producers that farm
land on Mistawossalsh's and MuskEgg.
They have their own scientists'advisors and the three
(12:11):
different groups of scientistshave been looking for ways to
work together, which is, ofcourse, the basic idea of the
bridge just different groupsthat have different interests
finding ways to work together.
And I believe from thisinitiative, the bridge, but also
(12:31):
past initiatives, projects,we've been attracting the
attention of differentnon-government organizations,
different federal departments.
So, despite the bridge to Landborder sky having five years of
funding through our partnershipsand friendship, we hope to
continue on after the five-yearperiod.
Speaker 1 (12:56):
So I'd like to go back to the vision after five
years.
But just before that, can youtell me who your partners are?
You mentioned Muskeg Lake CreeNation University of
Saskatchewan.
Of course you're with Mr Wassis.
Who are the other partnersinvolved with this?
Speaker 2 (13:14):
Today and in recent years, we've been working with
three schools and colleges thatare based out of the University
of Saskatchewan.
That are based out of theUniversity of Saskatchewan.
A number of years ago, wepartnered and have what's
normally called a Memorandum ofUnderstanding with the School of
Environment and Sustainability,but we didn't like the phrase
(13:36):
Memorandum of Understanding, sowe gave it a Cree name.
That, in simple English, meansmake a promise.
So we have a make a promiseagreement with the School of
Environment and Sustainability,the College of Arts and Science
and most important for thebridge, the College of
Agriculture and Bio Resources.
(13:58):
These agreements these make apromise agreements are fairly
general in nature, in that theagreement simply states that
we'll look for ways to worktogether.
We also have Redberry LakeUNESCO Biosphere Region as one
of our key partners and,although it's not a direct
(14:23):
partner because it doesn'treally exist anymore, we have
the North Saskatchewan RiverBasin Council, and the former
manager of that River BasinCouncil is now the project
manager for Bridge to Land WaterSky.
So not only do we partner andmake friends with different
organizations, we also stealtheir people to come and work
(14:46):
full time for us.
Speaker 1 (14:49):
That's awesome.
Well, it just sounds like it'sa passion project for a lot of
people too, that they reallybelieve in it.
Speaker 2 (14:59):
Yes, is the Saskatchewan Aboriginal Land
Technicians.
The acronym S-A-L-T is a groupthat has representatives from
each First Nation inSaskatchewan, and some of the
(15:20):
members of the core team mayhave two or three people that
represent their community,nation or organization.
Speaker 1 (15:31):
Okay, and tell me a bit about how did you get
involved?
Speaker 2 (15:35):
Well, some of my work that I describe the different
projects, the differentinitiatives, the different
partnerships.
I worked out of a departmentthat was called Special Projects
and in many ways I feel that Iwas very fortunate to be given
the freedom to explorepossibilities on behalf of Mr
Wallace's council and ourdifferent Mr Wallace's
(15:58):
departments.
I quickly realized that notonly provincially but nationally
, I had a special positionbecause I was given that freedom
just to explore possibilities.
Quite often when Indigenouscommunities undertake
environmental projects, they'reoften assigned to people that
(16:19):
already have a full-time job andaren't able to dedicate time to
certain special projects.
But I had that freedom.
And because I work on otherprojects, we realized because we
had existing partners that hadcollaborated on environmental
(16:42):
matters, we were a good fit forthe Living Lab initiative.
Speaker 1 (16:48):
And what is it that made you a good fit?
Speaker 2 (16:52):
I think maybe simply that we were open to working
with others.
We didn't limit who we workedwith and over the years, I would
sometimes get a tap on theshoulder and say, hey, anthony,
would Mr Walsh's be interestedin this or that?
Or get an email or a phone call, anthony, I have an idea.
(17:16):
Do you think Mr Walsh wouldwant to be part of this?
And it's because we are open toworking with others, I think,
makes us a good fit for manydifferent things, and those same
ideas, I think, can be appliedto other issues that communities
are facing.
When I mentioned back in 2013,2014, that we needed to find
(17:44):
partners because we couldn'thandle matters of high water and
flooding on our own, werealized that in many ways, we
lacked the resources andexpertise.
So that's why we sought outpartners that may have had
experience, expertise andresources to deal with some of
the problems we were facing.
And at that time, problems wewere facing and at that time, we
(18:06):
were looking at what made ourancestors strong, successful
people, and we realized thatback in the day, our ancestors
followed the buffalo.
There was need for a greatnumber of people to work
together, sometimes people fromdifferent nations, from
(18:26):
different tribes, there was needto work together in order to
follow and harvest a herd ofanimals that numbered in the
tens of millions, and so, ofcourse, we realized well, our
ancestors found strength byworking with others, and now, in
the 21st century, the exampleof our ancestors is today we
find strength by working withothers well, I just love that,
(18:52):
and it reminds me of somethingyou had said earlier about
signing the memorandum ofunderstandings with the
different departments at theuniversity of saskatchewan, and
that you used a cree term thatwould translate to a
make-a-promise agreement.
A Sota is a sacred term.
It's not used in everydaylanguage, but because I
(19:15):
explained the meaning and intentof make-a-promise, I can share
that.
Speaker 1 (19:21):
Wonderful Thank you.
Speaker 2 (19:24):
I did not grow up speaking my language, but
through a different project ordifferent work, I was looking
for a word.
In our language that meanstreaty, and so a sota, or make a
promise, is the term.
And again, our ancestors madetreaty with one another, between
(19:49):
different tribes.
Before there was a countrycalled Canada, before treaties
with the crown, our Indigenousnations made treaties with one
another, and when we madetreaties we lifted the pipe.
And in our treaties, when wemade promises, the creator was
(20:10):
our witness.
So for us, our ancient methodsand methods ceremony that we use
today when we lift a pipe andmake a promise, those actions,
those ceremonies are moreimportant and more true than
simply putting your signature ona piece of paper.
(20:30):
So when we had these Make aPromise agreements with the
different schools and colleges,at the university and as part of
the bridge, we also had a Makea Promise agreement with Muskeg
Lake Cree Nation, one of ourcore partners, and although we
did sign a piece of paper, it isthe 21st century we also
(20:51):
included ceremony.
So for us, the ceremony is justas important, if not more
important, than what's writtenon a piece of paper.
And when I speak about partners, sometimes I say friends.
Some of our present daypartnerships began off in
friendship.
We would meet one another andthen think about and talk about
(21:15):
different ways that we can worktogether.
So some of our currentpartnerships, I'd like to say,
began off in friendship and Ithink those types of partnership
are much more true andlong-lasting.
Speaker 1 (21:31):
So tell me a bit about how important is it to you
that we are bringing this wayof doing things an Indigenous
way of doing things to theseprojects and collaborations.
Speaker 2 (21:42):
Well, I think that in the 21st century, without
realizing it, we alwaysundertake ceremony, whether it's
simply a handshake, sittingdown, having coffee together or,
at different meetings, sharinga meal.
Those are ceremonies, andperhaps in the 21st century
(22:05):
we're so caught up in thingsthat we don't realize it.
And Indigenous First Nationsceremony aren't too much
different from those simple actsthat we all have today.
And also the ceremonies can beindividual undertakings or group
(22:27):
undertakings, and it's throughceremony that we connect with
the past, that we connect withLand, water, sky and everything
that has been provided for us.
Speaker 1 (22:39):
So, anthony, I'm curious about your involvement
with Bridge to Land Water Sky.
What is it about this projectthat you're passionate about?
What is it that you really thatyou're passionate about?
What is it that you reallyenjoy about working with this
organization?
Speaker 2 (22:52):
Well, as we mentioned in the introduction and said a
few words about being the firstand only Indigenous-led living
lab in Canada.
So when we first heard andstarted talking about applying
to the initiative, I wanted todo something different.
So there's X number of livinglabs across Canada.
(23:17):
For me, they were all doingrelatively similar things and
although we are one of thesmallest living labs in Canada,
again we are the onlyIndigenous-led.
So I felt we need to dosomething different to be funded
(23:37):
and, although we're notcompleted the five years, I hope
the end result is that we aredifferent, that we are very
different.
There's need to do somethingdifferent.
Speaker 1 (23:52):
And what makes it different here?
Speaker 2 (23:57):
Again, I guess that it is Indigenous-led.
We've worked with our partnersfor a number of years, so we
have that understanding thatthere are likely times where I
can't go to a meeting, but oneof our partners knows what
Anthony will say and I know whatour partners will say.
So I think we're quitecomfortable to some extent of
(24:20):
being able to speak with oneanother because we know and
understand one another and ourdifferent perspectives and
different interests, and so weall, despite individuals wanting
things their own way, as acollaboration we realize there's
need to include or ensure thateveryone at the table is
(24:44):
represented and has a voice.
Speaker 1 (24:48):
And tell me about your role with Bridge to Land
Water Sky.
What role do you play?
Speaker 2 (24:53):
Well, I'm trying to retire Right.
When we first applied forfunding for the Bridge to Land
Water Sky, I was workingfull-time as a special projects
worker for Mr Wallace's NeheYawak.
That was close to the timewhere this thing called COVID
(25:14):
came to Canada and, maybe partlybecause of my age and some
minor breathing problems, covidscared me quite a bit and I had
thoughts of slowing down andmaybe retiring full-time.
And just after having thosethoughts and I did take a
six-month break from full-timeemployment I received this email
(25:38):
from Ottawa from this personthat I had never heard about
before and said Anthony, can wehave a phone call?
And of course that was newsthat Mr Wallace's Bridge to Land
Border Sky was successful.
Speaker 1 (25:55):
And what was that like?
What was that call like for you?
Speaker 2 (25:58):
Well, I sort of had to keep it secret for a little
while so I couldn't tell ourfriends and partners right away.
But once it was officiallyannounced and I found sneaky
ways to drop hints, and most ofour friends and partners
(26:18):
understand when I'm hinting atsomething.
But at the same time I wasstill thinking about slowing
down in retirement.
But then I quickly realizedthat amongst our partners there
was a certain person that mightbe able to step in and be a
full-time project manager.
(26:40):
I knew it might have been alittle bit too much for me.
And again, this was stillduring times of COVID, where we
weren't able to connect inperson all the time.
And for me and again, this wasstill during times of COVID,
where we weren't able to connectin person all the time.
And for me, much of our successhas been because of in-person
connections with current and newpartners and friends.
(27:00):
And so, despite the technology,I think those in-person
meetings, I think thosein-person meetings gatherings,
chats, coffee are most importantto strengthen partnerships but
also in finding new partnerships.
And so I've been missing thatpart of things.
(27:35):
But I feel fairly comfortablewith the management of the
Bridge to Land, water, sky andam most comfortable because of
the partners that we have.
When we were first talkingabout what we will do in the
first year of the Bridge to LandWater Sky, my hope was for
myself to take one or two stepsback and be the old man sitting
in this chair banging his canewhen there's need to correct the
(28:01):
collective.
So to some degree I think I'mbeing allowed to do that, but I
still miss being not necessarilythe frontline person but
someone close to the front.
Speaker 1 (28:10):
I just love that imagery of the wise man in the
corner with his cane holdingpeople you know, keeping people
on track and making sure thingsare done right image, and it
just reminds me of the differentroles that people in
(28:30):
partnerships play and and how tocollaborate and and the
different needs of a group andthe different perspectives to
always keep in mind maybe justone thing to add, and I guess
contrast to the old man image isthat for the bridge to land
water sky we're also looking forways to as much as possible
include community youth, highschool and elementary kids.
Speaker 2 (28:56):
They are the future and by including our youth or
school children in some of thework on the Bridge to Land Water
Sky we hope to inspire ouryoung people to consider
post-secondary education, toconsidering getting their truck
driving license, to work for afarmer, or maybe somebody wants
(29:18):
to drive a combine.
So we hope to look for ways tobring our young people from
Muskeg Lake and Mistawasas intothe bridge project and connect
them to some of the scientificwork, or maybe through
discussions with local producersthat are looking for certain
(29:39):
workers.
That might be inspirationenough for our young people to
consider those differentpossibilities.
At one time in the late 1800sand early 1900s, our ancestors,
because of the loss, the nearextinction of the buffalo,
(30:00):
needed a new way to provide forthemselves, to provide for a
community, and because of ourancestors, like Mr Wallace's,
realized that settlement wascoming.
Different forms of agriculturewere coming to the Prairie
Provinces, saskatchewan, toTreaty Six territory, and our
(30:25):
ancestors wanted to learn aboutthese new and different forms of
agriculture and in the late1800s, early 1900s, our
ancestors were very successfulproducers, I believe, because
they had that intimaterelationship with land, water,
(30:45):
sky.
We didn't have a small gardenplot, relationship with land,
water, sky.
We didn't have a small gardenplot.
Our garden was thousands ofsquare kilometers in which we
harvested plants, animals, hunt,trap and fish, and that is an
ancient form of agriculture.
And so when settlers came westfrom a different continent, a
(31:06):
different climate, theystruggled on the prairies
because of the harshness of theprairies.
But our ancestors, my ancestors,were successful because they
had generations of living on theprairies and, again, that
intimate relationship with land,water, sky.
And that's what we hope torevive today, especially with
(31:29):
our young people.
Missed Awases, like many FirstNations, including Muskeg Lake
Cree Nation, has what's calledland-based programming, where
schoolchildren will still learnin the classroom but they learn
out on the land and they learnfrom the land.
As Neheyoak people and manyother tribes, our language comes
(31:53):
from the land, so we're alsoreviving our language through
land-based programming and Iguess these are the other things
that we hope to bring to theidea of a Living Lab initiative.
So when we talk aboutIndigenous traditional knowledge
(32:14):
and ways of being.
These are some of the things wehope to bring to the table and
bring into the thoughts ofothers.
Speaker 1 (32:25):
That's wonderful and so needed right now with our
youth, with the issues thatwe're facing in our communities
and with the health of the landand with the changes that we're
seeing to climate.
So it's such wonderful workthat you're all doing in your
communities and with thepartnerships.
Looking to the future, so youmentioned that it's five years
(32:49):
of funding for Bridge to LandWater Sky.
What year are you currently in?
Speaker 2 (32:54):
We are about to end, in March, our third year, so we
go to 2026, I believe is thefinal year, which happens to be
the 150th anniversary of Treatyno 6.
And through another initiativesimilar to the bridge that we
(33:16):
call Buffalo Trace to Land WaterSky, we hope to bring Buffalo
back to Mr Wass' lands by 2026.
Speaker 1 (33:28):
Oh, that's wonderful and I hope that comes to
fruition for everybody and again.
Speaker 2 (33:34):
I think everything fits and, as I mentioned earlier
, our ancestors, my ancestors,entered treaty with the crown
because of the near loss of thebuffalo, we had to find a new
way to provide for ourselves,and now, in the 21st century,
we're looking for ways to bringthe buffalo.
We had to find a new way toprovide for ourselves and now,
in the 21st century, we'relooking for ways to bring the
buffalo back to be part of thatequation once again.
(33:55):
So, for us as a First Nation,and as we look to define
ourselves as a people and as anation in the 21st century, and
as we work towardsself-determination and
self-government, we often feelthere's something missing, and
what's missing is the buffaloaren't with us, aren't beside us
(34:19):
.
So we're working to bring thebuffalo back to our lands in
order to better define ourselvesas a people and as a nation.
Speaker 1 (34:28):
Mm-hmm, oh, how wonderful.
And to have the return of thebuffalo too.
What would, in order to betterdefine ourselves as a people and
as a nation, how wonderful.
And to have the return of thebuffalo too.
Speaker 2 (34:36):
What would that mean to you to be able to see
something like that?
Well, it could be seeing, but Ithink it's more simply being
aware that buffalo are nearby,that I could go out every day
and see them, or just knowingthat they're there, I think
(34:56):
would be a comfort, similar to atree Knowing there's trees
about is a comfort.
Speaker 1 (35:02):
Yes, yeah, and just being surrounded by our
relatives in that way.
Speaker 2 (35:07):
Yeah, yeah, exactly.
And at one time, when we firstbegan to talk about the bridge
to Land Water Sky and applyingfor the funding, we had thoughts
about including the buffaloBecause the buffalo themselves
if you place buffalo on the land, they're a living lab unto
themselves.
(35:27):
Yes, place buffalo on the land,they're a living lab unto
themselves.
But back then we decided thatthe Mr Ross' work for the
buffalo should be a separateproject, a separate initiative,
and not tied down to certaindeadlines, certain data
requirements, et cetera, etcetera.
We want to take our timebringing back the buffalo.
We want to take our timebringing back the buffalo.
(35:48):
We want to do it right.
But I still stole part of thename to create Buffalo Trace to
Land Water Sky and a buffalotrace, or rather a trace, is
simply a trail, a path that wascreated by the buffalo when
there were tens of millions ofbuffalo moving across the Great
(36:10):
Plains of what we now call NorthAmerica.
So the Buffalo Trace and Bridgeare sort of very similar
meanings.
Speaker 1 (36:18):
I love the thought that was put into the name of
Bridge to Land Water Sky and Ilove the example of Buffalo
Trace as well and the meaningbehind that.
But I love that because withthis organization, with you
talking about the importance ofpartnerships, talking about
reconciliation, coming up withsolutions for the future, just
the intent and intentions putbehind the name and the work
(36:42):
that everyone is doing I thinkis just wonderful and I'm so
glad to hear all of that.
Speaker 2 (36:46):
Well, I think for the living labs across Canada, I
think we have the best name andthe best logo.
Speaker 1 (37:00):
I would agree.
That's wonderful.
So, with the five-year deadlinecoming up, what is it you hope
to achieve?
What would you like to seehappen by then?
Speaker 2 (37:13):
Well, we were just talking about Buffalo and even
though it's not directly part ofthe Bridge to Land Water Sky,
the same ideas are there.
So, at the end of five years,buffalo on Mr Wallace's lands,
our school children, our schoolkids being part of Bridge to
Land Water Sky or there's otherinitiatives that will be waiting
(37:35):
for them, or there's otherinitiatives that will be waiting
for them, or by simply being,by our young people being
involved with the bridge, itmight spark their own interest
to determine other similarprojects.
For Mr Walses, it could besimply a young Mr Walsh's person
(38:01):
getting their truck license tobe able to drive semis or
combines or tractors for aneighboring farmer.
Or it could be somebodystarting a family garden or
maybe having access to a fewacres and grow some specialty
crop For me, few acres and growsome specialty crop For me.
(38:24):
I hope that we spark theimagination of community members
but also spark the imaginationof our current partners and
future partners that we mightacquire over the next couple of
years and that could includeother living labs.
And that could include otherliving labs Once we learn more
about each other, the living labcommunity, we may see other
(38:50):
things being done in otherregions that could work for us
and, as I mentioned earlier, Ibelieve because of our partners
maybe because the name.
Speaker 1 (39:07):
Mistaw Walses is becoming known that there will
be something more after the fiveyears ends.
Yes, you had mentioned thatearlier, the hope that this
would carry on, and do you seethat hopeful, with either more
funding or just carrying on thework in another capacity?
Do you know at this point whatthat might look like beyond the
initial five-year commitment?
Speaker 2 (39:25):
Well, today, despite my so-called retirement, I'm
still getting ideas of newthings from our different
partners, and so we'll find away.
Don't tell the federal fundersthat, though.
Speaker 1 (39:46):
My lips are sealed.
Speaker 2 (39:48):
We still want their money and over the years or I
guess, recent years we'relooking at different sources of
funding as well.
Quite often, first Nationcommunities simply depend on
federal funding and of coursewe're realizing through our
partnership that there's otherpossibilities outside of
(40:11):
government.
Whether they're privatefoundations or universities have
access to research funding thatwe're not eligible for as a
First Nation.
Some of our non-governmentpartners as well can access
certain funding that a FirstNation can't or would have
difficulty accessing.
Speaker 1 (40:32):
Yes, yeah.
Speaker 2 (40:33):
So, again, there's many different possibilities out
there that we haven't fullyexplored yet, but maybe that's
our next step.
Speaker 1 (40:43):
Anthony, it doesn't sound like retirement is
happening for you anytime soon.
Speaker 2 (40:48):
Sometimes I tell people that I might have to live
till I'm 100.
Speaker 1 (40:54):
We'll see how that goes.
Right, we'll see how that goesright.
Well, I think there would bemany, many of us thrilled to
have you continue to do thiswork.
It's such important work andyour passion for it is really
apparent and highly valued fromeveryone that I've spoken to
that's involved with the bridge.
Anthony, is there anythingabout the bridge to Land Water
(41:15):
Sky initiative that I haven'tasked you yet that you feel is
really important for people tobe aware of?
Speaker 2 (41:22):
I think for me and I did mention it earlier is the
importance of, even inday-to-day thought and
day-to-day action, to connectthe past, the present and the
future.
That type of, I guess, thoughtand action in everyday matters
(41:42):
was important to our ancestorsand that ensured their survival.
Speaker 1 (41:51):
And we find ourselves here again, right looking at
challenges that threaten oursurvival and the health of our
waters and communities andrelatives.
Speaker 2 (42:01):
That's why I have to last till 100.
Speaker 1 (42:05):
We need you, anthony.
Well, I really appreciate yourtime today, your generosity and
sharing about the bridge, how itcame about, the value of the
partnerships, the perspectivesthat are being brought forward
and just the collaborativeefforts.
And congratulations on beingpart of the first Indigenous-led
(42:28):
Living Lab in Canada.
I think that's truly anaccomplishment and I'm excited
to see and hear more about wherethis project goes and what it
comes up with, and excited forthe future.
Speaker 2 (42:40):
Quite often I think that I'm doing nothing special.
It's the partners and friendsthat I find that are doing
special things, and with one ortwo friends, we quickly realized
that we were looking for eachother quickly realized that we
were looking for each other andwe found each other and that's
(43:07):
what made things special andwhat makes things work.
Speaker 1 (43:09):
That's perfect.
I love that.
Speaker 2 (43:12):
Thank you so much, Anthony.
Speaker 1 (43:15):
Yes, thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you for listening.
This is the Bridging Relationspodcast.
Looking forward to connectingwith you next time.
Funding for this project hasbeen provided by Agriculture and
Agri-Food Canada through theAgricultural Climate Solutions
(43:36):
Living Labs program.
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