First Nations Waste Minimization Program

Word of the Week!
Leaf 🍁
October means Autumn is in full swing and it's a month known to Anishinaabe people as Biinaakwe-giizis, which translates to Falling Leaves Moon. After the trees show us their brilliant colors, they drop their leaves to the forest floor. The name of this month, Binaakwe, actually refers to “combing”. When the leaves fall and cover the ground in a blanket we think about raking them out of the way. This raking is what this month refers to as if you are combing the earth.

Today is National Day for Truth and Reconcilliation, also known as Orange Shirt Day. We honour residential school survivors, their families, and communities, and to remember the children who never came home. We encourage everyone to get out and attend an event today!

The Winter Road Recycling Project is a collaboration between remote, winter road
First Nation communities, Producer Responsibility Organizations (PRO’s),
Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) and is facilitated by our team. Program materials are collected, stored, packed and transported in accordance with the Federal Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act and the Province of Manitoba’s Dangerous Goods Handling and Transportation Act.

Our team is very proud of all the hard work put in by the waste management staff in our partnering communities. They put in an incredible amount of work while operating in harsh conditions all because they care about their community and environment. Way to go! 💪

On September 3rd, Pathfinders traveled northeast to the regional waste site called B-MASH to put in a day of landfill work. The site services Bisset, Manigotogan, Aghaming, Seymourville, and Hollow Water First Nation. Working with the attendant, we sorted a big pile of old used oil buckets, collected the lids, drained any fluids, and stacked them to be palletized. We also had a go at the 6ft tall pile of tires, arranging about 600 at the front of the pile in rows for easier removal with a machine 💪

Word of the Week!
Boat 🚣‍♂️
Boating serves an important purpose for many First Nations people whether it be for subsistence fishing, commercial fishing, travel, or recreation. The rivers served as the original highways, with boats acting as the main transportation method pre-contact. Special York Boats were utilized up north during the fur trade to transport huge amounts of furs and other goods. Birchbark canoes are widely considered one of the technological marvels of the world, and influenced modern canoe design.

Last Week on August 26th, our team was happy to visit our friends at Roseau River Anishinabe First Nation to host our Water is Life screen printing workshop! The activity aims to spread awareness, re-use clothes that might otherwise go to Landfill, and engage with the community in a fun and good way. Thanks to Craig and crew at the Transfer Station for supporting the event. We had a great time as usual!

Word of the Week!
Hunting 🦌
We hope to keep our lands clean and free from garbage pollution/contamination in part so that our province's wildlife stays healthy and remains a viable food source for us. The process of Bioaccumulation means that pollutants in things like garbage fire smoke or mercury can make their way into our food chain, and end up in us. This is especially true for folks that steadily rely on subsistence hunting, like First Nations folks.

During the week of August 11 - 14, Pathfinders traveled up to Cross Lake First Nation to assist the landfill site with excess used oil, electronics, and lead acid batteries. We spent the first day bulking oil from used oil pails, and collecting the lids and jugs in bags. The second day, we palletized 2 pallets of lead acid batteries and 5 pallets of E-waste. All while about 30 curious bears monitored us when not scrounging through bags 🐻

Word of the Week!
Fishing 🎣
Part of our team's mission is to keep Manitoba's waters clean from garbage contamination and pollution, so that everyone can safely subsist on our province's fish stock. Fish is an incredibly important and affordable food source for First Nations folks up north.

Last week, Pathfinders traveled up to Manto Sipi First Nation to assist the landfill crew with preparing material for removal in the winter. The water was super high at the lodge, usually our team enjoys hanging out on the rocks which was now basically rapids. We assisted with preparing propane tanks, and palletizing and wrapping lead acid batteries. We will likely visit again in the wintertime. Kyle and crew are doing a great job at the landfill!