The Chiefs of Ontario will host a virtual session on Anishinaabe Law and the Rights of Nature to Care for Rice Lake on August 28, 2026.

In November 2025, Alderville First Nation Council unanimously approved a resolution recognizing the legal status of Rice Lake. The process took 2 years and brought together the council, elders, and knowledge keepers, who reviewed and approved the declaration.Chief Taynar Simpson and Professor Lindsay Borrows from Chippewas of Nawash will join us to discuss the process and the next steps in establishing a guardian council which will serve as the voice of Rice Lake.

Registration is now live: http://coo.smudging.ca/Meeting/Register/45cbe086-6c1f-4c94-8c0e-1ef39fa1976b

Date: August 28, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Location: Virtual via Microsoft Teams
Who should attend: First Nations Leadership, technicians, and community members

For more information, visit: https://www.chiefsmeeting.com/anishinaabe-law-rights-of-nature-rice-lake or contact Ryan Bowie, Associate Director of Environment, at Ryan.Bowie@coo.org