Reel Youth Jeronimo Kataquapit, a 20-year-old from the Attawapiskat First Nation, is on a significant journey of reclamation with his family. Together, they’re fighting to reassert the sovereignty of First Nations across the Ring of Fire region of northern Ontario. The 400-kilometre walk, named Here We Stand, is drawing national attention to plans for development and industrial-scale mining across the territory. We need to be consulting with the feds and provinces on this critical issue.
Kataquapit continues to live as his father, mother and older brother. They are very much intent on sending that message loud and clear: First Nations need to be consulted before anyone does anything on their ancestral lands. He reinforces the urgency of the time, noting that the community is dealing with significant trauma.
A Journey of Resilience
Kataquapit and his family set out on their expedition in a pair of 24-foot freighter canoes. They carried more than 200 litres of gasoline with them. They plan to live off the river and land as they travel toward their destination, symbolizing a connection to their heritage and the natural resources around them.
Two months ago, their remote First Nation’s nursing station, located in Weenusk First Nation, flooded. To this day, though, it remains boarded up and thus, effectively, still inaccessible. This challenging time has revealed increasing clamoring for more sustainable infrastructure and demand for leadership from local, state and federal governments. Kataquapit described his frustration with the crappy conditions of life on the reserve, saying, “We’re living in a third world.”
The traveling expedition makes their claim that space. It reacts to the real and present crises experienced by First Nations. Kataquapit convened workshops with various community leaders. He explained to them provincial and federal laws that affect their rights and territory. He firmly believes it’s important to have First Nations voices at the table when decisions are being made about their land.
Flagging Their Message
Kataquapit and his family enthusiastically stake Attawapiskat First Nation flags and family flags along the shoreline. They commit to doing this on the front end to make a loud and proud statement of their claim to the land. These flags are symbols of their community’s identity and culture and represent the shared and larger interests of all countries and peoples across the region.
Kataquapit’s actions aim to communicate a straightforward message: “Our message is simple: no one will cross the Attawapiskat River without our free, prior and informed consent,” said Quisess, another family member involved in the journey. This assertion forces us to recognize the depth of Indigenous rights and sovereignty over their ancestral territories.
Kataquapit has been sounding the alarm about recent legislative changes that have affected First Nations. With respect to the latter, he cited “Kill Bill 5” as an example among many bills targeting Indigenous rights. “There’s no way the governments can amend those bills,” he asserted, emphasizing the need for a complete repeal before any constructive dialogue can begin.
Raising Awareness and Taking Action
The trip is not simply a physical journey. It represents a powerful call to action for First Nations people from coast to coast to coast in Canada. Kataquapit agrees that there needs to be more awareness raised with Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians alike. Learning about the historical and present-day injustices endured by First Nations is crucial for us all.
“The river is a very sacred area. Many of our ancestors are buried along the shoreline, where they lived before,” Quisess noted, highlighting the deep spiritual connection that Indigenous peoples have with their land. This bond drives their determination to guard their land against foreign encroachment.
Kataquapit and his family are making their own exciting moves as they continue on their journey. They are concluding their stories and motivating other First Nations to stand up together in solidarity. The encampment by the Ring of Fire — home to the legendary elders’ camp — represents hope for all of those looking for their rights to be acknowledged and respected.
