By Rina Gulli, Disability Rights Caucus, Region 6After Indigenous Circle members Lauren Fong and Crystalynn Bos facilitated a traditional smudge to purify and cleanse the conference space and participants, the inaugural Region 6 Equity Conference began—perfectly exemplifying its theme: “Better Together: Celebrating Indigenous Knowledge; Building Collective Strength.”The Conference was held June 27-29, 2025,on Manitoulin Island, the traditional territory of the Anishinaabek and Odawa peoples—specifically on lands protected by the Robinson-Huron Treaties 45 and 94—the location itself, historically known as Mnidoo Mnis (“Island of the Great Spirit”), set a powerful stage.Ironically, the conference venue was under a boil water advisory—a sobering reality that gave us all pause. It served as a visceral reminder of the many Indigenous communities in this country that live under similar advisories—sometimes for hundreds of days each year.
The Conference opened with Craig Fox (Eagle Cloud), a resident of Manitoulin Island who has spent 30 years travelling Turtle Island sharing his deep knowledge and teachings of Anishinaabe culture. He spoke with vulnerability and honesty, welcoming us into his world as he shared the uses and teachings of the four sacred medicines: cedar, sage, sweetgrass, and tobacco.He spoke about the integral role of women in Anishinaabe culture—as creators and respected leaders. He shared the history of the jingle dress, beginning with Maggie White, and its cultural and spiritual significance. Worn only by women, the dress is an expression of healing, and the flowers and motifs on the regalia must be earned, understood, and respected before they can be worn. Fox reminded us of the importance of asking for guidance, not strength—because to ask for strength may invite hardship.Keynote speaker George Couchie (Strong Heart) delivered a powerful address, sharing his experiences starting his OPP career during the Ipperwash crisis, when Indigenous protester Dudley George was fatally shot while trying to reclaim Indigenous land. That experience led Couchie to develop award-winning Native Awareness Programs, which he now delivers to youth, law enforcement, teachers, and government workers.He described the many harms codified in the Indian Act—including the criminalization of Indigenous spirituality, freedom of movement, and self-governance. He noted that Indigenous people were often seen as “innocent till proven poor,” a narrative slowly shifting through tools like the Gladue Principle and the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.Couchie encourages youth to understand they are not broken—just carrying broken pieces. He speaks of choice as a path to healing, particularly through the Seven Grandfather Teachings:
Love, Respect, Bravery, Truth, Humility, Wisdom, and
Honesty. “The Grandfather teachings cost nothing and mean everything,” he said.He also shared a personal truth: his father, a Residential School survivor, unknowingly became an agent of colonialism by raising his ten children without their Indigenous language, culture, or spirituality—a deeply painful but common legacy.Crystalynn Bos, a young Mi’kmaq woman from Nipissing First Nation Territory, then led participants in the Teaching of Tobacco Ties—small bundles of tobacco wrapped in cloth, used as offerings or prayers. Tobacco ties represent respect, gratitude, and are given to accompany requests for guidance or knowledge from Elders and knowledge keepers. She emphasized that intention, protocol, reciprocity, and respect must be part of every offering.Evenings at the conference were spent making beaded bracelets or gathering at a traditional Indigenous feast of bison, whitefish, Bannock, Three Sisters soup, and wild rice. Sunday morning centred the voices of young Indigenous leaders, against the solemn backdrop of red dresses honouring Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit People (MMIWG2S).The morning began with an award-winning spoken word presentation by Nevaeh Pine, who asked:“If I go missing, would you look for me? Would you see my face all over the news?”Pine reminded us that Indigenous women are five times more likely to go missing than non-Indigenous women. She honoured victims like Loretta Saunders, a 26-year-old who disappeared while writing her thesis on MMIWG2S, and 15-year-old Tina Fontaine, found in Winnipeg’s Red River. “These women are someone’s mother. Someone’s daughter. Someone,” Pine said. “If there is a time when I go for groceries and do not return, know that I did not leave voluntarily.”Part two of the Young Indigenous Leaders panel was moderated by Bos and Provincial Young Workers Rep Lindsey Giroux, a Human Rights Award winner. The panel included:
- Shay Colley (they/them), a Two-Spirit Afro-Mi’kmaq researcher and policy analyst working to dismantle systemic barriers and advance equity for LGBTQ2S+, Indigenous, and Black communities.
Adonia Dunwell, a 16-year-old Afro-Indigenous youth who was the first Afro-Indigenous Sudbury Youth Ambassador and Miss Teen Ontario-Canada. She uses her platform to raise awareness around the need for mental health, cultural, and educational supports.
All panelists spoke about the invisibility youth feel—particularly Indigenous and Black youth—and the importance of having their stories heard. They shared visions for the future that included:
- Embedding authentic Indigenous experiences into curriculum
- Working directly with Elders
- Dismantling colonial systems
- Acknowledging historical and ongoing harms
- Building relationships through communication and reciprocity
One participant, Steve from Sudbury, shared that he had only recently discovered his Indigenous heritage and embraced the teachings with open arms. His response echoed the sentiment felt throughout the weekend.As the conference ended, some participants quietly offered tobacco to the earth—leaving with a sense of respect, gratitude, and renewed commitment to community. The Region 6 Equity Conference Committee showed us that when it comes to Celebrating Indigenous Knowledge and Building Collective Strength, we truly are Better Together.
