The Pimachiowin Aki Assembly of Partners hosted our 20th Annual General Meeting (AGM) to reflect on the past and look ahead to the future. Here are five highlights:
1. Sisters’ Memories from Pauingassi
“Come to Pauingassi First Nation: Live with us, teach our children English, have services with us.”
That’s how Elder Wannacens invited the Neufeld family to the community in 1955. Sisters Carol and Lila shared memories of the 15 years they spent growing up there. Their family home became a hub of activity—helping with medical needs, repairs, and hosting children’s programs and family nights. They recalled boat trips, visits to Little Grand Rapids, playing outside, caring for their dolls in tikinagaans, and learning skills like sewing and beading. Old photos brought their stories to life, and their dad Henry treated us to a drum song in English and Ojibwe.
2. Sneak Peek: New Entrance Sign
We shared a preview of Pimachiowin Aki’s new sign, which will be mounted on a large rock at the entrance site. The 30-foot sign will feature graphic panels with a wood-grain texture, Pimachiowin Aki and community logos, the words “The Land That Gives Life”, and a scene of the boreal forest with a canoe on the water. Thanks to the Province of Manitoba for designing a sign to represent the cultural and natural values of Pimachiowin Aki and welcome visitors to the World Heritage site.
3. Preserving Our Place Names
Reviving and using these names helps preserve Indigenous languages, culture and history, and honours the first inhabitants of Manitoba.
—INDIGENOUS PLACE NAMES PRESENTATION, ROBERT BELTON, MANITOBA PROVINCIAL TOPONYMIST
Manitoba Provincial Toponymist Robert Belton invited communities to reach out if they are interested in having some or all of the place names made ‘official’ so the names can appear on Google Maps and future topographical maps. The Manitoba Geographical Names Program offers several additional supports:
- GIS and cartography services
- Workshops and meetings
- Historic records
- Records of former place names/rescinded place names
Indigenous place names are often the oldest geographic markers in Manitoba. They reflect thousands of years of observation, travel, and connection to the land. Instead of naming places after people, many Indigenous names describe what the land looks like, how it’s used, or a story connected to that place. For example, the Ojibwe name Weenipagamiksaguygun—meaning “dirty looking water caused by mud or silt”—is now recognized as a third official name for Lake Winnipeg.
Robert explained that not all names need to be shared with government. For example, sensitive or sacred sites can remain private and do not have to be shared publicly. The program could also create public maps and community-only maps.
4. Historic Photos Tell Our Story
Brian Carpenter, Curator of Indigenous Materials and Director of the Center for Native American and Indigenous Research (CNAIR), shared how communities can work with the American Philosophical Society (APS) Library & Museum collections. APS holds thousands of photos, recordings, and other materials from over 650 Indigenous communities, including Pimachiowin Aki. We used historic photos from the collection in our UNESCO World Heritage site nomination, and several are featured on our website. APS is planning a 2027 exhibit on how Indigenous communities use archival materials, and Pimachiowin Aki may have the chance to take part and share how the photos supported our successful nomination.
5. Board of Directors Updates
We welcomed two new Directors this year: Enil Keeper, Little Grand Rapids First Nation, and and Rob Nedotiafko, Government of Manitoba. The AGM also marked a leadership transition for Poplar River First Nation, as long-serving Director Ed Hudson stepped down from his role. In his place, Norway Rabliauskas is serving as the community’s new Director.
