Aseniwuche Winewak Nation Vision,
Goal and Perspectives

Our Perspective...

• In our view the Earth is sacred.
• We are taught to live in harmony with nature and our traditions command us to respect Mother Earth, who gives us all of our needs; air, water, plants, birds, fish and animals.
• Extremely difficult to overemphasize the importance of land to First Nations People.

Our Way of Life...

• First Nations traditional knowledge has been and continues to be accumulated through time spent living on the land.
• Our Elders know the complexity and intensity of our tradition as it relates to the land.
• Traditional use is an activity carried out by an individual according to their customs and traditions.
• Everything we need to live and enjoy the good quality of life is provided by the natural world.

Our Elders...

• Elders have knowledge that is needed for survival, they know how to find their way around the land because they know the landmarks.
• The people possessed invaluable traditional knowledge and traditional skills and passed down the skills from generation to generation.
• Today and as far back as our people can remember, it has been the Elders who are the foundation of First Nations peoples.

Sustainability...

• From an First Nations perspective it means to take responsibility and be spiritually connected to all of Creation, because all Creation is regarded as a gift. Our spiritual traditions teach a positive way of living in harmony with nature that is respectful to ourselves and to all of creation.
• Since the land is comprised of living things, Aseniwuche Winewak feel a spiritual bond with the natural environment. Respect for the land and what it provides for us is of the utmost importance.

Respecting All Our Relations...

• It is well documented by the early Europeans that the land, the forests, the fish & animals were plentiful and in good health at the time of contact. This is a testament to the values, knowledge and respectful way of life practiced by the members of Aboriginal Nations.
• Very few places within Alberta have as great diversity of wildlife as Aseniwuche Winewak Nation Traditional Territory.

Traditional Knowledge Today...

• The knowledge that today's Elders are sharing will teach future generation and help them find the balance and harmony needed to maintain a healthy relation with Mother Earth.

Acknowledgement

The Aseniwuche Winewak Tradition Land Use Study could not have been accomplished without the Elders of the community. The showcase for the Study on the Traditional Use Studies Website makes particular reference to Mike Moberly, Tommy Wanyandie, Marie McDonald, Dean Wanyandie and Joe Karakuntie. From the Aseniwuche Winewak Nation office, Rachelle McDonald, our Executive Director, needs to be thanked for her support and participation in the writing of the history of the Study; Vivian McDonald for her role in the Key Elders Interviews; Tom McDonald, Consultation Coordinator, for the abbreviated version of one of the extensive Power Point Presentations; and Shirley Delorme for her assistance with interviews and translation. Some consultants also need to be acknowledged for their help in shaping the AWN Study in recent years. Craig Candler, Ph.D, Anthropology, with Golder Associates, made the Key Elders Interviews what they are. Gareth Spicer, M.A., Archeology, with Turtle Island Cultural Resource Management, did outstanding work in the field and in teachings. Thanks to all.

Marc Levasseur
Traditional Land Use Coordinator
Aseniwuche Winewak Nation of Canada