The forum included discussions, as well as the viewing of a short film. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

discussion

Forum provides platform for Indigenous connection to land

Mar 21, 2025 | 12:55 PM

A community forum held at La Ronge’s Kikinahk Friendship Centre on Thursday led to a positive discussion on the Indigenous relationship to the land.

It was hosted by anti-racism coordinator Lisa Odle with the Multicultural Council of Saskatchewan. It included a showing of a short film called Wapawekka by La Ronge filmmaker Danis Goulet, which shares how generations can experience land, language and symbols differently, and how it connects individuals in a way that strengthens themselves, their identity and community.

Following the film, Keith Goulet led a presentation and Lac La Ronge Indian Band Elder Eleanor Hegland shared about the importance of learning about the land, its resources, and how important it is to protect it.

“Mr. Keith Goulet talked about language and the importance of language and how that connects with land and the understanding of land and how that is so different from what the colonizers and current systems think of land,” Odle explained.

“They don’t understand it in that way, but when you do, it is empowering for those who are Indigenous and live on the land, and the need to protect the land, and what I got from him tonight is yes there is resistance, but you have to keep fighting to protect the land.”

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She noted the event included several women in attendance who have been raising awareness about the peat moss near La Ronge. Back in 2022, Lambert Peat Moss Inc. led a proposal to harvest the peat moss south of La Ronge, which led to an outcry from local residents and land users.

“If you maintain the Indigenous way of thinking, what you do today should be considered for seven generations,” Odle said.

“That means it is not going to grow back in seven generations, then in my settler opinion, that means you don’t do it because the harm is there.”

Although only a handful of people attended the forum, Odle considered it a success stating the people who needed to be there were.

Hegland also believed the forum led to positive discussions about the land. She said there have been land issues in the area going back nearly 100 years and those problems still continue today.

For instance, she brought up the displacement that could occur in the next decade with the twinning of Highway 2 through Air Ronge and La Ronge.

“The government needs to realize that we have feelings too,” Hegland said.

“We’re people and you’re affecting our traplines, our homes, our forest. When you drive down the road, how do you think we feel when all the trees are cut? How do you think the trees and roots, how do you think they feel? And the animals, the birds, the flowers, our medicines? It’s gone. We keep fighting. We fight, fight, fight.”

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com