The creation of a UNESCO-designated Global Geopark
for all of Georgian Bay is a grassroots initiative
led by an ever expanding working group:
The Georgian Bay Geopark Network – GBGN.
The GBGN Group includes:
- Professor Nick Eyles, the foremost expert on the Geology of Georgian Bay
- Permanent and Seasonal Residents
- Business and Tourism experts and
- First Nations Leadership
Land Acknowledgment:
- Georgian Bay and its shores and lands have been an important place for the Council of Three Fires Confederacy, Huron-Ouendat Nation, Haudenosaunee Confederacy, Metis Nation of Ontario Councils and other Indigenous Nations since time immemorial.
- The Georgian Bay Geopark Network -GBGN – recognizes the various Treaties signed with the Crown and acknowledges the Dish with One Spoon Wampum is a guiding principle to execute the spirit of a shared relationship in conserving and protecting the lands, water, and sky the Creator bestowed for the people of Waasayagamii Wiikwed (Shining Waters Bay) on Turtle Island.
- The Georgian Bay Geopark Network acknowledges the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the Articles within act as framework to protect and preserve Georgian Bay for future generations.
- The Georgian Bay Geopark Network will implement the guiding principles of relationship building tools of a Two Eyed Seeing Process and Seven Grandfather Teachings to evoke a spirit of cooperation in working together with the Indigenous community at large to achieve a balanced perspective in conserving Georgian Bay.
The Initiative is guided by a set of principles.
THE DISH WITH ONE SPOON PRINCIPLE
THE DISH
represents land, and the aspiration for land use and water shared peacefully and beneficially for all.
THE SPOON
signifies people coming together to uphold the vision of a lasting relationship to share and care for the land and water.
TWO EYED SEEING
- Indigenous and non indigenous perspectives
- Traditional Knowledge and Scientific Knowledge
- Indigenous World View and Non Indigenous Worldview
THE SEVEN GRANDFATHER TEACHINGS
Invoking a spirit of cooperation to work together
- Love
- Respect
- Bravery
- Truth
- Honesty
- Humility
- Wisdom
UN DECLARATION of the RIGHTS OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLE
- Right to be involved in decisions impacting their lands
- Right to conserve and protect their territories in a meaningful way.
