Land Back Speakers Series: Dish With One Spoon Wampum Belt Teachings with Bomgiizhik Isaac Murdoch and Anthony Latsithyokwas Nicholas

Commonly used in Land Acknowledgments today, the Dish With One Spoon outlines the relationship between the Nishnaabeg and Rotinonshonni Peoples. The Dish represents a shared territory, harmony, and interconnection. It was designed to promote peaceful coexistence and requires regular renewal of the relationship through cultural protocols while building solidarity.

Wampum Belts are a symbol of Onkwehonwe diplomacy that pre-dates the arrival of Settlers. The Dish With One Spoon Wampum Belt signifies a shared hunting territory and connections to the lands between the Anishinaabe and the Rotinonshonni. It reinforces the idea that the relationship is based on sharing and responsibility, which will promote peace, respect, reciprocity, and accountability.

How do we decolonize our relationships with neighboring peoples? How can our knowledge systems provide alternatives to our present situation with the settler state?

All are welcome! To register for this event, please contact Audra at: ataillefer@durhamchc.ca

Anthony Nicholas is from the Oneida Nation of the Thames and is a member of the Black Bear Clan. He is a Father and Grandfather. At 16 years old, Anthony was introduced to Longhouse ways and into the Warrior Society. Anthony was on the frontline of the 1990 Oka and Kahnawake standoff, the 1995 Ipperwash standoff, and the 2006 Kanonhstaton/Six Nations standoff. His life journey has led him to being a helper of Indigenous people with body, mind, and spirit and sharing knowledge through stories.

Bomgiizhik Isaac Murdoch is from Serpent River First Nation. He is of the Fish Clan and is Ojibwe and has 4 beautiful children. He lives in the forest at Nimkii Aazhibikoong, a indigenous community focused on indigenous language, art, and land based activities. Bomgiizhik grew up in the traditional setting of hunting and gathering on the land. Having spent many years learning from Elders, he spends a lot of his time as a Story Teller. Many of these stories became his visual art pieces and gained notoriety world wide. Bomgiizhik is also a Singer Song Writer who loves to make music when ever he gets a chance. You will often find him on the land looking at his favorite plants or gazing into the beautiful night sky.