Photo Credit: Nasreen. H
On February 6th 2020, Nicole Latulippe presented at the University of Toronto as a part of a winter talk series titled, “All Our Relations”. This series shares stories and insights about water and de-colonial water governance from the perspectives of Indigenous communities and other water beings. Her talk “Belonging to the Lake: Unsettling Fisheries and Restoring Relations at Nipissing First Nation” discussed community-based research with Nipissing First Nation and the responsibilities supporting community members’ sovereign fishing practices, focusing on ways the community has managed to maintain relations with Lake Nipissing despite government criticism and interference. During the time of her research there was on going strong controversy with traditional fishing practices due to policy changes effecting Indigenous fisherman and local economies. Nipissing First Nation has taken a stand with these challenges by strengthening their own sovereign and traditional fishing practices. Nicole’s research incorporates voices and narratives of Elders, women, men, fisherman and non-fisherman from Nipissing First Nation. The community implements moratoriums once a year on fishing, to regulate more spawning and sustainable practice. Nicole’s work continues to develop over time and she considers writing a book conveying her findings and research.
Nicole Latulippe, a PhD in geography from the University of Toronto was raised in Nipissing Territory and is from Robinson Huron Treaty Territory in North Bay, ON. She is of French Canadian and Algonquin ancestry. Upon completing her Master’s degree at Nipissing University, she worked for the Union of Ontario Indians, which inspired her to pursue a PhD to further look into the historic treaties and the failure to implement the relationships. She has also worked as a research associate for Deborah McGregor’s Indigenous Environmental Justice Project.
“All Our Relations” are a series co-sponsored by the Indigenous Environmental Justice Project at York and Water Allies at University of Toronto.
Written By: Nasreen Hussain