The Niiwin Wendaanimok Partnership formed in October 2018 when the Nations of Wauzhushk Onigum, Washagamis Bay, Shoal Lake 40, and Niisaachewan signed a Unity Agreement to coordinate their shared experiences, concerns, and interests as they relate to the Twinning of the Highway 17 between the Manitoba/Ontario border and Kenora (“the Project”). This is the sixth
newsletter produced since the formation of the Partnership.

On February 5th, 2020, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between the Partnership and the Government of Ontario to guide the engagement process in the sprit of collaboration and cooperation.

Since May 2019, the Niiwin Wendaanimok has undertaken the Anishinaabe Aki Kakendamowin (AAK), referring to the documentation of the knowledge and practices associated with the care and protection for the land, sky, soil, and water. This knowledge has been used to identify and assess potential impacts of the Project through a new process being termed a Harmonized Impact Assessment (HIA). The HIA document was brought into ceremony for endorsement in each of the four communities between July 21-24, 2020. See Page 2 to learn more!

Since March 2020, the Partnership has been developing an online mechanism for virtual engagement to safely continue the AAK in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. AAK interviews are proceeding in new ways with a web map survey and virtual interviews, in addition to continuing to meet in-person when we can safely. See page 3 for details on how to get involved.

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