August 11, 2025

$70k OTF Grant for project bringing together Indigenous people, heritage museums and destination stewardship

Photo: Left to right; OTF Representative Charles Tatham, MPP Paul Vickers, John & Debi Arnold of the museum board, Stacie Howe and Rob Leverty of BVDS, Jacobe, Dianne and Tom of the Big Canoe Project, Peter Mitchell and Angela Mason of BVDS, Haudenosaunee Poet Jillian Morris, Osprey board members Helen Lucibello and Debra Mann, Natasha, Miingan and Christopher Akiwenzie of AkiTours and Ethan Young, Indigenous Guide.

On Sunday, August 9, MPP Paul Vickers had the opportunity to meet with members of the Osprey Museum and the Beaver Valley Destination Stewardship to formally congratulate them on the work that’s happening as a result of receiving a $70,000 Seed grant from the provincial government’s Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) last fall. As a result of the grant, there’s a new collaboration in the Beaver River watershed hoping to bring together Indigenous and heritage perspectives to share knowledge and build awareness.

“There is so much ecological heritage in southern Grey County,” said Paul Vickers, the first-term MPP for Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound. “I am pleased to see the Trillium Foundation recognize this and invest in programming to transfer knowledge and showcase artifacts for not only current residents, but for generations to come.”

The initiative is called TWOEYEDS and is led by Osprey Museum in partnership with Beaver Valley Destination Stewardship and Bagida’Waad Alliance of Neyaashiiniigmiing First Nation (formerly Cape Croker). Supported by the OTF grant, TWOEYEDS has created and hosted Indigenous-led workshops and interpretive tour programs, developed stewardship services and will have ongoing museum exhibits to enhance resident and visitors’ awareness about Indigenous history. The program also focuses on ecological preservation, environmental conservation and the benefits of stewardship in its host community watershed destination.

“We’re strengthening our relationships with our friends at Bagida’Waad Alliance,” said Peter Mitchell, a volunteer with the Beaver Valley Destination Stewardship, and who worked for many years as a research associate with Dr. Stewart Hilts at the Centre for Land and Water Stewardship, University of Guelph. “It is wonderful to expand our connections, include local museums and inform our destination stewardship work here in the Beaver River watershed and beyond.”

Based on the concept of two-eyed seeing, first offered to the world by Mi’kmaw Elder Albert Marshall, the initiative recognizes the strength of both Indigenous and western ways of knowing and seeks to bring people’s views together.

“We’re grateful for the opportunity to work with our partners on this project,” said Natasha Akiwenzie, Manager, Bagida’waad Alliance. “Our youth have enjoyed working with Beaver Valley Destination Stewardship and the Osprey Museum. We look forward to continuing our collaboration into the future.”

“We’re connecting our heritage community to Indigenous knowledge so we can see how we might live with the land and preserve our precious water and wildlife together,” said Robert King, a volunteer with Osprey Museum, who attended the TWOEYEDS events at the museum sites in Feversham and Rob Roy. “There is so much to learn and share with our residents and visitors about the history of rural living — especially from before western people arrived here. Our ecosystem is essential to our way of life.”

“Whether it’s helping people learn new things, connect with their community, or simply have fun, organizations like the Osprey Museum deliver experiences that make a difference,” said Stan Cho, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming. “That’s why grant support through the Ontario Trillium Foundation is so important. This funding will help ensure that it remains at the heart of the community for decades to come.”

The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is an agency of the Ontario government with a mission to build healthy and vibrant communities across the province. Last year, OTF invested nearly $105M into 732 community projects and multi-sector partnerships. Projects aim to enhance economic well-being, foster more active lifestyles, support child and youth development, provide spaces for people to come together and connect, and create a more sustainable environment. Visit otf.ca to learn more.

Photo taken by Kate Russell; Project Coordinator.

 

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