Community Based Initiatives - Educating the community about the environment

Nin.Da.Waab.Jig. News

Objectives:

The Walpole Island Heritage Centre or Nin.da.waab.jig, (meaning "those who seek to find"), was officially founded in July 1989 as the research arm of the Walpole Island First Nation, dealing with land claims, environmental protection, and heritage conservation. The purpose of the newsletter is to highlight the research and activities of the Heritage Centre, and to serve as a valuable link between the Heritage Centre and its community.

Description:

Nin.Da.Waab.Jig News is one of five community newsletters published by WIFN, and it has been published twice a year by the Heritage Centre since August 1994. An important focus of the newsletter is on promoting community environmental awareness. This is achieved in several ways, including,



• Providing updates on environmental hazards threatening the community. In addition to chemical spills, other examples have included a Purple Loosestrife alert, and regular bacteria monitoring results.
  
  
• Providing detailed and informative updates on environmental initiatives occurring on WI. These have included the E.A.G.L.E. Project, Waste Management Strategy, Waste Management Manual for First Nations, Environmental Audit Model for First Nations. The newsletters also keep residents informed about action being taken in response to external environmental issues occurring outside WI, such as the interprovincial pipeline, ICI Canada Inc., Windsor Marina, and TransCanada PipeLines.
  
  
• Providing community education in environmental practices, such as tips for reducing and recycling household garbage.
  
  
• Keeping residents informed about environmental activities occurring outside the community, such as the Ontario Round Table on Environment and Economy, and the development a Sustainable Development Strategy by the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development.
  
  
• Finally, the newsletter has also supported the creative writing of residents on the subject of environment and sustainable development.

Outcome:

Walpole Island residents have been sensitized to environmental issues which affect them directly, as well as those which may be more abstract, but no less important.

Support:

Walpole Island Heritage Centre