Our Partnering Communities
Akwesasne
Akwesasne, a Mohawk Nation territory situated along the St. Lawrence River, about 120 kilometers southeast of Ottawa, boasts a distinctive geographical location. Prior to colonization, their territory spanned across northeastern New York State and Vermont, into southern Canada. The Mohawk peoples have long utilized this area, particularly the confluence of the St. Lawrence River Valley, for fishing and hunting.
Today, Akwesasne is divided by international and provincial borders, with the provinces of Quebec and Ontario on the Canadian side. The Mohawk Council of Akwesasne governs the Canadian portion, while the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe oversees the territory in New York. Today Akwesasne has a total of 23,000 residents, with the largest population and land area of any Kanienʼkehá:ka community.
The Mohawk people of Akwesasne maintain rightful claims to territory beyond current reservation boundaries, safeguarding these lands through legal processes such as the National Historic Preservation Act and the Environmental Protection Act. Akwesasne is renowned as the “land where the partridge drums.”
Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation
Kitigan Zibi is an Algonquin First Nations community located beside Maniwaki, Quebec. It’s mostly concentrated around Highway 105, about 150 kilometers northeast of Ottawa. The current registered population of the community is over 3,600 members.
Like many Indigenous communities, Kitigan Zibi has faced challenges related to land claims and sovereignty. Kitigan Zibi never signed a treaty. The community is engaged in ongoing negotiations with the Canadian government to address historical grievances and assert their rights to traditional lands. Small parts of Maniwaki have been added to the Kitigan Zibi reserve since the 1990s, and the federal government is set to pay $116 million in land settlement claims.
Kitigan Zibi is governed by a Chief and a six-member band council elected every two years.
Kitigan Zibi roughly translates to “Garden River,” reflecting the community’s lush surroundings and culture deeply rooted in traditional practices such as hunting, fishing, and gathering.
Akwesasne
Akwesasne, a Mohawk Nation territory situated along the St. Lawrence River, about 120 kilometers southeast of Ottawa, boasts a distinctive geographical location. Prior to colonization, their territory spanned across northeastern New York State and Vermont, into southern Canada. The Mohawk peoples have long utilized this area, particularly the confluence of the St. Lawrence River Valley, for fishing and hunting.
Today, Akwesasne is divided by international and provincial borders, with the provinces of Quebec and Ontario on the Canadian side. The Mohawk Council of Akwesasne governs the Canadian portion, while the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe oversees the territory in New York. Today Akwesasne has a total of 23,000 residents, with the largest population and land area of any Kanienʼkehá:ka community.
The Mohawk people of Akwesasne maintain rightful claims to territory beyond current reservation boundaries, safeguarding these lands through legal processes such as the National Historic Preservation Act and the Environmental Protection Act. Akwesasne is renowned as the “land where the partridge drums.”
Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation
Kitigan Zibi is an Algonquin First Nations community located beside Maniwaki, Quebec. It’s mostly concentrated around Highway 105, about 150 kilometers northeast of Ottawa. The current registered population of the community is over 3,600 members.
Like many Indigenous communities, Kitigan Zibi has faced challenges related to land claims and sovereignty. Kitigan Zibi never signed a treaty. The community is engaged in ongoing negotiations with the Canadian government to address historical grievances and assert their rights to traditional lands. Small parts of Maniwaki have been added to the Kitigan Zibi reserve since the 1990s, and the federal government is set to pay $116 million in land settlement claims.
Kitigan Zibi is governed by a Chief and a six-member band council elected every two years.
Kitigan Zibi roughly translates to “Garden River,” reflecting the community’s lush surroundings and culture deeply rooted in traditional practices such as hunting, fishing, and gathering.
Akwesasne
Akwesasne, a Mohawk Nation territory situated along the St. Lawrence River, about 120 kilometers southeast of Ottawa, boasts a distinctive geographical location. Prior to colonization, their territory spanned across northeastern New York State and Vermont, into southern Canada. The Mohawk peoples have long utilized this area, particularly the confluence of the St. Lawrence River Valley, for fishing and hunting.
Today, Akwesasne is divided by international and provincial borders, with the provinces of Quebec and Ontario on the Canadian side. The Mohawk Council of Akwesasne governs the Canadian portion, while the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe oversees the territory in New York. Today Akwesasne has a total of 23,000 residents, with the largest population and land area of any Kanienʼkehá:ka community.
The Mohawk people of Akwesasne maintain rightful claims to territory beyond current reservation boundaries, safeguarding these lands through legal processes such as the National Historic Preservation Act and the Environmental Protection Act. Akwesasne is renowned as the “land where the partridge drums.”