I chose to highlight the co-founders of Two Row on the Grand, Ellie Joseph (Mohawk) and Jay Bailey (settler ally), as a special Guest Speaker feature for a host of reasons. First, because I fervently respect and support their work and their mission to educate people on the teachings of the Two Row Wampum. Second, because I truly believe in tourism as a means of transformation and a pathway to decolonization, truth, and reconciliation when done right (not in a transactional manner, but as a way for people to meet and learn together). And third, because Ellie and Jay always make the 1:30 h drive from their homes to come visit my classes to share their stories, experiences, and knowledge, and leave my students truly inspired each time! Please check out the photos in the gallery below!
The Two Row Wampum is the oldest living treaty between the Haudenosaunee people and settlers who agreed to travel the river of life in parallel in their respective vessels without ever interfering with each other, but close enough to lend each other a helping hand. We need this reminder now more than ever as we live in times of war and uncertainty!
The Two Row on the Grand, the grassroots organization co-founded by Ellie and Jay, is an annual 10-day, 140 km paddle down the Grand River that has won high-profile awards and is an accredited university course! It was inspired by the 2013 Two Row Wampum renewal campaign, which saw 200 paddlers journey down the Hudson River to the United Nations headquarters for the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples. Check out the video of the 2013 Two Row Wampum Renewal Campaign: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nid-97TLMOI
Each year during this journey, Indigenous paddlers from mostly the Six Nations of the Grand River and settler allies travel down the Grand River in parallel, forming friendships, sharing meals, and learning together. Each day is filled with teachings from Six Nations community members that highlight the cultural richness, knowledge, and history of the Haudenosaunee people, offering an in-depth learning experience that centers on the truth that we all must learn and acknowledge before we can journey together towards reconciliation. This is exactly what embodies the power of tourism, in my view (again, not in a transactional sense), prompting organizations such as ITAC (Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada) to headline their strategic plans and conferences with "Tourism is Reconciliation in Action." Here is the 10-year anniversary video:
It took Ellie and Jay almost three years to map out the Grand River and put together this journey, which now sees 100 paddlers following their chosen route once a year in July. Imagine the organization that takes place in the background to have that many paddlers stop for lunch along the way, use washrooms, and camp overnight throughout the 10 days! It truly takes an entire community to pull this off, and I have nothing but the deepest respect for Ellie and Jay! Here is the story of how it all started: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pcBa5UjvdY&list=PL7c9v-c7pPf44ySI4PxJra7Ebhe_DTz4f
Here is their YouTube Channel for a host of teachings and inspirations: https://www.youtube.com/@tworowinfo1705
The photos below are a kaleidoscope of the many visits Ellie and Jay paid to the Humber Polytechnic campus to inspire the students! (Some of which are now keen to participate in the Two Row Paddle one day!)
The Two Row on the Grand, the grassroots organization co-founded by Ellie and Jay, is an annual 10-day, 140 km paddle down the Grand River that has won high-profile awards and is an accredited university course! It was inspired by the 2013 Two Row Wampum renewal campaign, which saw 200 paddlers journey down the Hudson River to the United Nations headquarters for the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples. Check out the video of the 2013 Two Row Wampum Renewal Campaign: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nid-97TLMOI
Each year during this journey, Indigenous paddlers from mostly the Six Nations of the Grand River and settler allies travel down the Grand River in parallel, forming friendships, sharing meals, and learning together. Each day is filled with teachings from Six Nations community members that highlight the cultural richness, knowledge, and history of the Haudenosaunee people, offering an in-depth learning experience that centers on the truth that we all must learn and acknowledge before we can journey together towards reconciliation. This is exactly what embodies the power of tourism, in my view (again, not in a transactional sense), prompting organizations such as ITAC (Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada) to headline their strategic plans and conferences with "Tourism is Reconciliation in Action." Here is the 10-year anniversary video:
It took Ellie and Jay almost three years to map out the Grand River and put together this journey, which now sees 100 paddlers following their chosen route once a year in July. Imagine the organization that takes place in the background to have that many paddlers stop for lunch along the way, use washrooms, and camp overnight throughout the 10 days! It truly takes an entire community to pull this off, and I have nothing but the deepest respect for Ellie and Jay! Here is the story of how it all started: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pcBa5UjvdY&list=PL7c9v-c7pPf44ySI4PxJra7Ebhe_DTz4f
Here is their YouTube Channel for a host of teachings and inspirations: https://www.youtube.com/@tworowinfo1705
The photos below are a kaleidoscope of the many visits Ellie and Jay paid to the Humber Polytechnic campus to inspire the students! (Some of which are now keen to participate in the Two Row Paddle one day!)
We also did a book launch in collaboration with Humber Indigenous Education & Engagement and Humber Libraries for their book "Deyohahá:ge: Sharing the River of Life" - yes, Ellie and Jay are authors, too! Check out Chapter 11 for their contribution! See the book launch here:
Here are some of my paddle photos. I participated twice so far, and am registered to paddle again this year! Besides my educational and emotional experiences, being on the water for five days at a time (my body doesn't do more!) has taught me the true meaning of being "on the land" and the importance of the land as a teacher in my (and everyone's) life!
PS: The last picture is me after the paddle, with freshly washed hair ;))))