Together, let’s celebrate the people, culture, and the future of the Great Lakes region.

Swim Drink Fish, the Great Lakes Ecoregion Network and the Royal Canadian Geographical Society invite you to join us for a special welcome and celebration of the Great Lakes in advance of the opening of the Great Lakes Public Forum.

This year’s Great Lakes Public Forum holds special significance, as it falls on the 50th anniversary of the signing of the 1972 Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement between Canada and the United States: a momentous milestone.

Together, let’s celebrate water, the people, culture and future of the Great Lakes region.

When: Monday, September 26, 2022 from 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Location: On the grounds of Navy Hall, 305 Ricardo Street, Niagara-on-the-Lake

Master of Ceremonies: Patrick Madahbee, Senior Advisor to Biinaagami, former Grand Council Chief of the Anishinabek Nation, and Swim Drink Fish Ambassador.

Special guests and speakers:

• Chief Stacey Laforme, Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation
• Chief Mark Hill, Six Nations of the Grand River
• Chief Glen Hare, Ontario Regional Chief
• Chief Linda Debassige of the M’Chigeeng First Nation

Renowned water walker Linda Manitowabi will lead a water ceremony that will include launching a traditional birch bark canoe made by Chuck Commanda, master canoe builder. Please consider bringing a small jar of water from your local territory to contribute to the water ceremony.

Mohawk Professor Rick Hill Sr. and Brian Charles of the Chippewas of Georgina Island will speak on the historic Two-Row Wampum treaty.

Experience the Great Lakes Watershed while exploring the giant floor map created by Canadian Geographic. You will be immersed into the watershed using cutting edge augmented reality experiences designed by AVARA.

In advance of the ceremonies, join us to see Swim Drink Fish ambassador and Great Lakes Guide, Theodore TOO, the 65-foot replica of the famed TV character Theodore Tugboat.

Theodore will be anchored just offshore from Navy Hall and the beloved tugboat’s team will offer land programing from 10am – 1pm:

• Take a selfie with the Theodore TOO mascot
• Learn how to tie knots with Theodore’s crew
• Receive a special gift from Theodore TOO

We hope you will join us on September 26th to celebrate what the next 50 years can bring for protecting and restoring swimmable, drinkable, fishable water throughout the Great Lakes watershed – the world’s largest freshwater ecosystem.