Chevaun Toulouse nindizhinikaaz. Sagamok Anishnawbek nindonjibaa. Ginoozhe (Pike) nindoodem. Anishinaabe kwe ndow
Sagamok Anishnawbek (also known as Many Rivers Joining-Human Beings and Two points Joining) is a beautiful community situated between the North Shore of Lake Huron and the Spanish River. It is located across from Manitoulin Island, the largest freshwater island in the world. There are many lakes and wetlands in the community, home to many wetland species now at risk. Growing up in Sagamok gave Chevaun an interest and respect for the environment, as much of her youth was spent trying to catch turtles and snakes in the swamp. “Whether snatching snakes or catching turtles, it was on the land, chasing reptiles and amphibians, that I found my happiness. I also found my career,” says Chevaun.
Chevaun has an impressive CV detailing her work as a researcher, photographer, translator (Ojibwe/English), presenter, and cultural programmer.
Chevaun was recently awarded the Jane Goodall Institute of Canada (JGIC) Indigenous Micro-grants Program funding for the Sagamok community. This project funding for Indigenous youth and their intergenerational allies will assist with the initiation of new conservation programs soon. Other funding awards include the Nature Canada’s Young Nature Leaders Grant, Ontario Native Women's Association Protecting Mother Earth Award (2023), Michael Berrill Bursary in Conservation Biology (2022) and National Indian Brotherhood Trust Fund recipient (2021).
“My goal is to find enough Ojibwe words to identify ecosystems and create resources for our youth in the community and other Ojibwe speakers or organizations that are interested. This project will hopefully continue to expand and advance food security and species at risk conservation while providing educational resources for youth. I hope to develop species at risk/conservation programming in my community that will connect youth and community members with their environment in a meaningful way. I want to develop culturally relevant environmental conservation programming for my community and others to preserve our culture and vital ecosystems.
I want to contribute to and support language revitalization and provide conservation opportunities for youth and community members. I found a deep sense of meaning and belonging working in conservation and I hope to help create those opportunities for others. The environment is quickly changing, and we are losing our native wildlife; at the same time, we are losing language speakers which is a huge part of our culture and identity. My goal is to create language resources pertaining to land, environment, and ecosystems."