Gashkitoon means what has been done.
These are our completed projects.
AG7F is a new organization,
but the work we carry forward is
years in the making.
Before becoming
Anishinaabek Guardians
from the 7th Fire
this work grew through the Happy Dreaming Turtles Initiative — a community-led effort focused on strengthening intergenerational relationships, cultural knowledge, and Indigenous identity.
Led by Waabshkigan Shane Monague & Chantel Jamieson, these early gatherings laid the foundation for AG7F’s current focus on governance, stewardship, and long-term responsibility to land, water, and future generations.
Youth-led cultural & community planning initiatives
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August 28th & 29th 2024
Youth and elders from Beausoleil First Nation came together over two days to celebrate Anishinaabek culture & language, and share their visions for the future of their community. Participants learned flint knapping, the uses of traditional medicines found in the community, Anishinaabemowin words from fluent speakers, and traditional indigenous games.
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December 11th, 2024
Members from Beausoleil First Nation were invited to an evening of learning about significant historical community events from pre-contact, to the 1900’s. This retelling was facilitated by a community historian, and was catered by a local caterer. Part 2 of this series was to take place the following day, however needed to be cancelled due to a severe weather event. Because of this, the catered meals for Part 2 were delivered to seniors in Beausoleil FIrst Nation.
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January 16th, 2025
Building on the previous storytelling gathering, this two-part series went virtual and built on the broader history of the Anishinaabeg of the 3 Fires. This session enlightened participants from across Anishinaabeg territory with insights around our creation, and the history of our migration. This session was led by knowledge carrier, traditional leader, and educator Nicholas Deleary.
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January 23rd, 2025
Part 2 of this two-part virtual series picked up from the last session, and led participants into the history of the Anishinaabek of the 3 Fires from 900 A.D to the present time. Participants also had opportunities throughout the evening to interact & ask any questions they had around what they had learned over the course of the two evenings.
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February 9th, 2025
This virtual gathering sought to engage off-reserve members from Beausoleil First Nation who were unable to attend the in-person gathering in the summer of 2024. Participants were able to connect with new people, share about their visions for the future, as well as current concerns they would like to see addressed, and inform the development of a document to update the community comprehensive plan.
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January 16th, 2026
Building on the efforts to support local community capacity, and in alignment with the growth of Happy Dreaming Turtles into AG7F, this gathering brought together traditional knowledge holders and leaders in order to provide insights into what will become a multi-community regional action plan. Further, attendees contributed to the foundation of the regional climate action plan that AG7F is currently undertaking. This event was co-led by Nicholas Deleary, and catered by a local First Nations-owned caterer.
Since 2024, AG7F has engaged
over 200 Indigenous elders, youth, & community members through our youth-led projects
Ziigwan Gitigaan Community Survey
The Ziigwan Gitigaan Community Survey was conducted to understand community perspectives on food access, health, cultural programming, and interest in the proposed Ziigwan Gitigaan Project. The survey gathered responses from on-reserve and off-reserve community members, including youth and adults, with percentages based on responses to each question and accounting for conditional or optional questions.
Our Organizational Lead, along with members from Beausoleil First Nation, completed the initial baseline mapping of local invasive phragmites populations in the territory, and co-developed the local community action plan in partnership with Georgian Bay Forever.
Invasive Species Mapping, Monitoring, and Removal
Beausoleil First Nation Community Climate Monitoring Survey
An overview of the results from the survey developed and distributed by former Community Climate Monitoring Liaison, Waabshkigan Shane Monague. Prepared for: relevant departments, committees, leadership and community members of BFN.
What we’re learning through our work
Gatherings have revealed a strong need for Indigenous-controlled digital and knowledge spaces. Community members repeatedly identified the importance of protected portals, servers, and culturally governed platforms to safely share teachings, archive knowledge, and maintain collective accountability.
“We need our own server… a portal and protection.” — participant
Participants consistently show a desire for relational, intergenerational learning spaces, not one-way presentations. Gatherings function as dialogue-based exchanges where people actively listen, defer space to others, and build knowledge together across generations and geographies.
Community members are seeking culturally safe spaces to engage with complex and sensitive topics that are often marginalized elsewhere, including sacred item repatriation, misrepresentation in anthropology, water rights, and historical erasure. Participants expressed appreciation for spaces where these conversations could happen openly and respectfully.
Language and cultural teachings resonate deeply when shared in community. Even brief moments of language learning and cultural reference elicited strong emotional engagement and affirmation, reinforcing the importance of embedding language and worldview into broader conversations.
“It’s been so nice to be with my relatives.” — participant
Gatherings are strengthening networks across regions and sectors. Participants organically exchanged invitations, resources, and ideas spanning communities, cultural institutions, education, and digital spaces, positioning gatherings as connective hubs rather than isolated events.
“We need spaces like this where we can keep building together.” — participant
Participants value continuity beyond the gathering itself. Requests for recordings, resources, and follow-up materials indicate that learning is carried forward after sessions end, supporting sustained engagement rather than one-time participation.
This information was synthesized from qualitative data collected through post-event surveys.
Want to see project photos from our events?
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