Our relationship with the land is central to who we are as L’nu and how we understand the world around us. Over the years, I have learned a great deal from spending time outdoors, observing the changing seasons, understanding our waterways and wildlife, and seeing how the environment responds to change. This knowledge comes through experience and through the teachings passed down by generations before us. It is something we need to continue sharing and protecting.

These experiences are an important part of Indigenous education and are worth recognizing alongside what we learn in a classroom. November is Indigenous Education Month, which gives us an opportunity to recognize the knowledge, histories, and perspectives that shape our communities. The teachings shared by our Elders, families, and knowledge holders help us maintain our connection to our culture, understand our responsibilities to the land, and pass valuable knowledge on to younger generations.

We also need to create opportunities for our members to pursue formal education and their own career goals. This week, I had the opportunity to represent Qalipu First Nation at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with Yorkville University and Toronto Film School. This partnership provides tuition savings for Qalipu members and offers another pathway for those interested in post-secondary education.

Whether we are learning from the land, listening to our Elders, or pursuing formal education, every experience adds to our knowledge. We have a responsibility to share what we know, encourage younger generations to keep learning, and ensure the teachings and traditions that have shaped our people continue into the future.