A new fish hatchery opened Friday at an Anishinaabemowin immersion school on Walpole Island First Nation, bringing together Indigenous language, ecological stewardship and hands-on science in a single classroom.
The Giigoonyig Enjintaawgiwaad "Place Where Fish Are Raised" was built at the Bkejwanong Kinomaagewgamig and Anishinaabeg Kinomaagewgamig Immersion School with equipment, training and expertise provided by Dr. Trevor Pitcher, director of the University of Windsor's Freshwater Restoration Ecology Centre (FREC) in LaSalle.
Students will raise fish primarily sturgeon, a species of deep cultural significance to the community for education, conservation, ceremony and food for elders. All learning in the facility will be conducted in Anishinaabemowin.
Anishinaabeg Kinomaagewgamig principal Craig Lindsay, left, Dr. Trevor Pitcher, director of the University of Windsor's Freshwater Restoration Ecology Centre, and teacher Mino Giizhgad gather at the Giigoonyig Enjintaawgiwaad hatchery during Friday's opening ceremony on Walpole Island First Nation. (MICHAEL WILKINS/University of Windsor)
Teacher Mino Giizhgad said the hatchery reconnects youth to the waterways that have sustained Bkejwanong since time immemorial.
"It's a living expression of Anishinaabe knowledge and stewardship," said Mino Giizhgad.
"This is an ongoing relationship," said Pitcher. "We'll keep offering training for their students and staff to maintain the facility over time."
Bkejwanong Kinomaagewgamig and Anishinaabeg Kinomaagewgamig Immersion School serves students from Kindergarten through Grade 6.
