Partnership Background
The Garden River First Nation, also known as Ketegaunseebee, is an Anishinaabe community. Garden River First Nation and City of Sault Ste. Marie share a border and are alongside the St. Mary’s River. They are approximately 663 kilometers northwest of Toronto.
Garden River First Nation and City of Sault Ste. Marie participated in the CEDI Phase III in the Accelerated 2-Year Stream from late 2022 – 2025.
Key Milestones and Collaborative Community Economic Development Initiatives
Wampum Belt Ceremony
On September 30th, 2024, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, this partnership hosted a Wampum Belt ceremony, a powerful statement of their joint commitment to healing together. The Wampum Belt is a living record of their commitment to live alongside each other in right relation and will be carried forward for generations to come through yearly renewal ceremonies.
Adoption of a Friendship Accord
Written in both English and Ojibwe, this Friendship Accord emphasized the equality of both languages and formalized their commitment to the partnership. They chose to incorporate both UNDRIP and TRC Calls to Action including the acknowledgment and incorporation of ceremonial laws and governance structures; these are pivotal steps in advancing Reconciliation and they are a model for meaningful and lasting collaboration. Their commitment to annual reviews and renewal ceremonies ensures that these commitments are not static but evolve dynamically over time. The partnership held an intimate signing at their CEDI Graduation Workshop, with a public celebration at the 19th Annual Gathering at the Rapids Powwow.
The CEDI prioritization process resulted in four areas of common interest: business development (with a focus on tourism), rural transportation, river environmental and ecological protection and anti-racism awareness. They then participated in four broad discussion groups to further discuss areas of opportunities and challenges, while also listing possible joint initiatives. The broad discussions were well attended by elected officials and subject matters experts from each community. In the end, this partnership undertook the following collaborative community development initiatives:
1. The Ketegaunseebee Cultural Competency Training Program
This training program was originally developed by Garden River First Nation to educate Sault Ste. Marie staff and elected officials on treaties, the history and ongoing impacts of residential schools, the important cultural differences of Anishinaabe people and how to co-develop through co-existence as opposed to assimilation. The Cultural Competency Training Program was so well received that the partnership has secured funding to tour seven North Shore communities, reaching residents, international students and newcomers. A video about the Ketegaunseebee Cultural Competency Training Program can be found here.
2. Enhancing Naturalization Project
Garden River First Nation and Sault Ste. Marie are 1 of 14 ecological corridors identified in Canada. The Enhancing Naturalization project is being led by Ontario Nation with support from Algoma Highlands Conservancy, Garden River First Nation, and Sault Ste. Marie.
3. Transit Connectivity
Together, these two communities conducted a study, with the help of the CEDI grant, to expand bus lines from Sault Ste. Marie to Garden River First Nation so that community members from both the First Nation and the City will have access to their neighboring community.
See the Partnership Agreements tab to learn more about the Wampum Belt Ceremony.
In the Media
- February 15, 2023: Garden River First Nation and City to participate in CEDI to foster joint economic collaboration
- February 15, 2023: Developing partnership: Sault and Garden River look for common economic ground
- April 6, 2023: City advances economic partnership with Garden River
- September 30, 2024: Historic wampum belt ceremony signifies bond between Sault, Garden River
- February 5, 2025: Sault Ste. Marie strengthens partnership with Garden River First Nation
- February 6, 2025: Sault Ste. Marie and Garden River First Nation strengthen economic development partnership
Photo Gallery
Quotes
“We built relationships with this city that never would have taken place if we did not have this – two sets of staff making that effort to move us along. I am so grateful for this day, and how fitting for it to be on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.”
“We know that we’ve got friends and willing partners here in Garden River.”