Dish with one Spoon

About Us

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.

Find out more about the Georgian Bay Aspiring GeoPark

ASPIRING GEORGIAN BAY GEOPARK

A grass roots initiative to establish Georgian Bay
 as one of the world’s greatest UNESCO Global Geoparks

Aspiring Georgian Bay Geopark

A Georgian Bay Geopark will showcase the Bay’s extraordinary Geo-heritage to Canada and the world
Find out more

UNESCO GEOPARKS

There are 177 UNESCO GeoParks in 46 countries around the world, 5 in Canada

UNESCO Geoparks

"Single, unified geographical areas of international geological significance managed with a holistic concept"
Find out more

WHY GEORGIAN BAY?

Georgian Bay’s geology, long history and culture position the Bay to be one of the World’s great Geoparks

Why Georgian Bay?

Historically, the study of Georgian Bay rocks paved the way for modern global understanding of how continents form and migrate
Find out more

ASPIRING GEORGIAN BAY GEOPARK VISION

Four essential building blocks will build one of the world’s greatest Geoparks

Georgian Bay Geopark Vision

100+ Geopark Sites Geopark On line Education and Research Community Leadership
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WHO BENEFITS?

A UNESCO designated Georgian Bay Geopark can engage and benefit all of Georgian Bay

Who benefits?

Municipalities, First Nations and Metis, Conservation Groups,Tourism and Businesses, Permanent and Seasonal Residents, Educators
Find out more

RESEARCH, EDUCATION, FIELD TRIPS

Work has begun on Educational Material, Virtual Field Trips and new Research

Research, Education, Field Trips

New initiatives are providing key scientific information to support conservation efforts around the Bay
Find out more

ABOUT US

The creation of a UNESCO Global Geopark is a grassroots initiative led by The Georgian Bay Geopark Network – GBGN

About us

The Aspiring Georgian Bay Geopark initiative is guided by a set of inclusive principles
Find out more

GET INVOLVED

The GBGN is looking to form partnerships and collaborations with communities and organizations throughout the Bay

Get involved

The GBGN also invites individuals to join the Network; to get involved with ideas, stories and support.
Find out more

The GBGN thanks these organizations for their support