Chevaun Toulouse nindizhinikaaz. Sagamok Anishnawbek nindonjibaa. Ginoozhe (Pike) nindoodem. Anishinaabe kwe ndow. My name is Chevaun Toulouse; I am a mother and a full-time biology and Indigenous environmental science student at Trent University. I recently held the position of researcher for a TV series just released called Great Lakes Untamed. This is the first definitive natural history TV series illustrating this vast watershed’s incredible wildlife, landscapes, and human importance. Bringing an Indigenous scientific perspective to this project while also highlighting the current environmental struggles our Great Lakes face was important to me. I previoulsy worked for Turtle Island Conservation at The Toronto Zoo as a Project Lead- First Nation Conservation Technician. There, I assisted with the implementation of the Zoo’s Conservation program called the Blanding’s Turtle Headstarting and Reintroduction project in the Rouge Urban National Park.

Sagamok Anishnawbek (also known as Many Rivers Joining-Human Beings and Two points Joining) is situated between the North Shore of Lake Huron and the Spanish River. It is across from Manitoulin Island, the largest freshwater island in the world. There are many wetlands in the community, home to many species now at risk. 

While for many westerners, the snake only offers a sense of fear, for many First Nations, snakes are spiritual guides, protectors, and are commonly depicted in petroglyphs and birch-bark scrolls. Snakes were amongst the most powerful of the spiritual beings to First Nations and were depicted as compassionate and willing to sacrifice themselves to save others, despite their cold-blooded or villainous reputation. Snakes were believed to create the rivers, as the waterways’ twisted, winding nature matched the oscillating movements of snakes. Amongst the snake stories of the Anishinabek, the Medicine Serpent was the most powerful and influential. It was a healer and protector of medicine that could give gifts to medicine men, which were highly sought after. The snake is also considered to be a helper and protector of women. Snakes are a vital part of the ecosystem. Native species such as the Massasauga rattlesnake, Gray ratsnakes, Milk snakes, Eastern Fox snake, prey on rodents which can help reduce the spread of ticks and related diseases. Other native species like the Lake Erie water snake feed on Round Goby, an invasive fish that is impacting native fish populations. 

Artist site: https://www.facebook.com/chevaun.toulouse.nature.stuff/