Anwaatin Leads First Smudging Ceremony at Ontario Energy Board

The Ontario Energy Board observed its first smudging ceremony on Thursday, May 5, 2016, at a hearing considering the expansion of natural gas service to unserved rural, remote and First Nation communities (EB-2016-0004).

The former Grand Chief of the Association of Iroquois and Allied Indians and former Chief of the Mississaugas of the New Credit, Larry Sault, performed the ceremony. Mr. Sault, President & CEO of Anwaatin Inc., and Dr. Don Richardson, Anwaatin's Senior Technical Advisor, gave evidence at the hearing. Anwaatin acted as an intervenor in the proceeding on behalf of several First Nations:

• Aroland First Nation

• Waaskiinaysay Ziibi Inc. Development Corporation (WZI), an economic development corporation representing the five First Nations in the Lake Nipigon watershed:

• Animbiigoo Zaagiigan Anishinaabek

• Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek

• Biinjitiwaabik Zaaging Anishinaabek

• Red Rock Indian Band

• Whitesand First Nation

Anwaatin also provided support to MoCreebec EEYOUD for its submission of evidence to the Board. DeMarco Allan LLP is counsel to Anwaatin. Lisa DeMarco was lead counsel for Anwaatin before the Board.

The smudging ceremony is a common purification rite performed in Ontario and elsewhere that involves burning one or more sacred medicines, such as sweetgrass, sage, cedar and tobacco.