Land And-water-stewardship-in-mississauga

How are the heavily urbanized lands and waters of the GTHA being protected? This event highlights ongoing initiatives that foster Indigenous and settler ecological stewardship in the region. Kandy Kennedy will discuss how Eagle Spirits of the Great Waters’ programs, including gardening, water-walking, and beading, serve to foreground Indigenous presence in Mississauga. Alongside Kennedy, participants from Youth in Action – Credit Connections will share their experiences learning about their local watershed, building connections with Missisaugas of the Credit First Nation, and developing environmental action projects.

This event will be held rain or shine, with covered outdoor facilities available in case of inclement weather. Accessible public washrooms and seating are available. Drinks and refreshments will be provided. Physical distancing will be in place for this event, and additional safety precautions may be required in line with public health measures.

Panelists

Kandy Kennedy (Haudenosaunee), is a co-founder of Eagle Spirits of the Great Waters, Indigenous arts and cultures. Originally from Oneida Nation of the Thames, Bear Clan, she resides in Mississauga. Kennedy holds a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies from Memorial University, and a Master of Education in Environmental Studies and Indigenous Studies from the University of Toronto. She is an environmentalist, community advocate, and a strong voice for her beliefs in Indigenous equality. Kennedy was awarded a Community Builders Fellowship (2020) from the University of Toronto School of Cities, and continues to lead Social Justice Fellowships at the University of Toronto.

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Youth in Action – Credit Connections is a collaboration between Ecosource and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. The program engages Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth 15–30 years old to design and lead service-oriented environmental stewardship projects, while offering an opportunity to develop leadership skills and centre Indigenous history, cultural practices, and teachings. Panelists from Youth in Action – Credit Connections will include: Kat Dervenis, Adalyn Ordono, and Shrey Savale.

Kat Dervenis is the Environmental Educator Youth Coordinator at Ecosource. Growing up in a mixed-race family and low-income neighbourhood, Dervenis realized at a young age that minority groups are disproportionately affected by environmental injustices. This sparked her interest in intersectional activism and bottom-up community action to achieve environmental justice. In 2019, Dervenis worked for an Indigenous-run non-profit in southern Belize where she collaborated with Mayan villages to create a cacao cooperative. She also supported Ecosource’s Local Food Team in 2020 at the Iceland Teaching Garden. Dervenis is currently completing a master’s degree in Geography with a focus on the co-production of knowledge between community organizations in southern Ontario and academic institutions as it relates to agroecosystems research.

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Adalyn Ordono recently completed Ecosource’s Youth in Action - Credit Connections Program. During that time, she worked on her community project, Subherbs & Co., which aims to educate Mississauga residents on how to grow food on balconies and operates as a seed growing and distribution network. Grateful for her time in the program, Ordono wishes to continue building meaningful relationships with members of the Mississaugas of the Credit.

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Shrey Savale is a Waste Reduction Coordinator with Ecosource and a Youth in Action – Credit Connections (YIA – CC) program participant. Savale received his Bachelor of Environmental Studies at the University of Waterloo, where he discovered a passion for education and creative learning. Since then, Savale has worked at Ecosource under many roles including Sustainability Education Assistant, Waste Reduction Educator, and leading his own YIA community action project; a recycled-wood backyard garden bed program to support urban agriculture in his community. He joined the YIA program to expand his experience of community action projects and to learn how to bring Indigenous knowledge to a forefront of environmental actions.

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Panelists

Land and Water Stewardship in Mississauga

Event Documentation