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Traditional Ecological Knowledge Elders

Learn more about the dangers of glyphosate-based herbicides in forestry.

Grace Manitowabi, TEK Elders cofounder from Sagamok

TEK Elders are raising awareness about the impact of glyphosate on their traditional medicines.

TEK Elder Ray Owl

From thriving ecosystems to barren land... TEK Elder Ray Owl witnessed the devastating impact of aerial spraying firsthand. 'There was nothing. Couldn't see a rabbit, any kind of life.' It's time to listen to the wisdom of our Elders and protect our forests.

Dewayne "Lee" Johnson.

"Hopefully, you will be a part of the push to keep pesticides out of our lives." - Dewayne "Lee" Johnson

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CALL TO ACTION:

Chiefs of Ontario reject Glyphosate use

Ministry plan to spray glyphosate along the North Shore spurs TEK Elders’ direct action August 14th along Highway 17

DOWNLOAD COO LETTER

DOWNLOAD TEK ELDERS LETTER

Stand with us

Support the TEK Elders and Chiefs of Ontario by coming out to Highway 17 near the Serpent River Trading Post on August 14 to call for glyphosate-based herbicides to be abolished within the traditional territories of Ontario’s First Nations.

The Chiefs of Ontario formally call on the Government of Ontario to:

• Immediately abolish glyphosate-based herbicides within the traditional territories of Ontario’s First Nations; and

• Work directly with Ontario First Nations to implement sustainable, non-toxic alternatives, while providing capacity and resources to do so.

MNR’s glyphosate announcements spur TEK Elders’ direct action August 14 th along Highway 17 10am to noon

Read the Press Release

June 16, 2025

50th Annual Chiefs of Ontario Assembly

Representatives for the TEK Elders attended the 50th Annual Chiefs of Ontario Assembly to champion the COO adopting the campaign to stop glyphosate use in forestry. A draft resolution for the abolishment of glyphosate-based herbicides was presented and carried during the assembly.

Watch the recorded live stream here:

https://www.youtube.com/live/H73sVCie7Ek

April 15, 2025

Ten Thousand Turtles Project Outreach Education Program

Ten Thousand Turtles Project Outreach Education Program promotes and supports wetland conservation along the North Shore of Lake Huron. We aim to protect and preserve wetlands and wildlife to ensure biodiversity and sustainability for future generations.

We acknowledge and honour our Ancestors/Aanikoobijiganag who have been stewards and caretakers of the land for time immemorial through ceremony, the ones that have walked before us, and those to come. We honour the animals and birds, and in particular, the Blanding's turtle, through sacred offerings, prayer circles, singing, drumming and stories led by Nookimis Isabelle Meawasige and Nookimis Marly Day.💚

The wetlands in the Serpent River and Lake Huron watersheds are at risk from a proposed quarry that will affect these species at risk and destroy their critical habitat:

🐢Mishiikenh - Blanding's turtle

🐢Mikinaak - Snapping turtle

🐢Miskwaadesi - Painted turtle

🦇Apakwaanaajiinh - Myotis bat

🐦Biigokokwe'owesi - Whip-poor-will

We must be the voice for the voiceless!

To LEARN more, visit:

✨ Turtle Table Talks 🐢

✨www.wahkohtowin.com

To take ACTION, visit:

⚡️ www.answercommunity.ca

⚡️www.wildernesscommittee.org/.../quarries-and...

⚡️ www.reformgravelmining.ca

To SUPPORT us, please share this far and wide!

Miigwetch!

Special thank you to Barbara Smith for your support and for writing the song "Ten Thousand Angels" 💗

August 15, 2024

TEK Elders Launch Billboard Campaign to End Aerial Spraying in Forestry

A Ceremony was conducted on August 14, 2024 in Sagamok by TEK Elders to launch an education campaign on the harms of glyphosate use in forestry. Twenty billboards that say

“Glyphosate Kills All” featuring a moose illustration will be erected throughout the Robinson Huron Treaty lands over the next weeks. Elder Raymond Owl, co-founder of the TEK Elders, along with TEK Elders members Grace Manitowabi (Sagamok), Joe Jones (Garden River), Evelyn Roy (M’Chigeeng), Martha Toulouse (Sagamok), Mary Wemigwans (Nimkii Azhibikoong), and spokesperson Caroline Recollet (Whanapitae) were joined in Sagamok by Sam Manitowabi from the Robinson Huron Waawiindimaagewin (RHW), Nelson Toulouse, Councillor for Sagamok, and artist Christ Belcourt.

The TEK Elders Group began a campaign to end glyphosate-based herbicide use in Anishinaabek forests along the north shore of Lake Ontario over a decade ago. Elders observed dramatic changes in moose, deer, muskrat, and other forest life as Jack pine plantations began replacing mixed forests with the help of glyphosate-based herbicide use. “Ontario has an obligation to respect our Treaty rights”, said Elder Caroline Recollet. “When forests are converted to plantations, all life is affected – we share these lands with all creation”.

"I have a passion for this work, protecting the land” said spokesperson Caroline Recollet. “I watched Ray from a distance when he got this TEK Elders work going over a decade ago….I feel called to the work that they were doing… our connection with the land, what happens to Mother Earth happens to our bodies, and we are all very sick”. Sam Manitowabi acknowledged the relationship between his Treaty organization and the TEK Elders, and indicated RHW’s support for the TEK Elders’ campaign. “Put our Semaa down and ask for our good intentions… there is going to come a time when Mother Earth is going to fight back”. Elder Raymond Owl spoke in Anishinaabemowin and English, saying the time for meetings has come and gone, and action is required to protect the forest for future generations.

Videos

The destruction caused by glyphosate is not a future threat – it's happening RIGHT NOW. TEK Elder Ray Owl's story is a powerful reminder of what's at stake.

TEK Elder Ray Owl speaks out against the devastating consequences of glyphosate: 'You're destroying mankind. Humans.' This harmful chemical is linked to multiple health effects, including cancer. It's time to listen to the voices of our Elders: demand an end to aerial spraying of glyphosate, and apply the precautionary principle when assessing all chemicals used in our biosphere.

TEK Elder Ray Owl points out the lasting effects of spraying glyphosate, and also the systemic effects to our health and the health of our ecosystems.

New, groundbreaking research linking Glyphosate to cancer is forcing governments to review their support for the world’s most popular weedkiller. This webinar is an exclusive opportunity to hear about the most comprehensive, global study ever conducted on Glyphosate from its only UK-based contributor, Professor Michael Antoniou (Professor of Molecular Genetics and Toxicology at Kings College London). Published on the 10th June in the prestigious Environmental Health journal, the study confirms that Glyphosate and Glyphosate-based herbicides cause multiple types of cancer, even at exposure levels deemed to be “safe” by the EU. It was coordinated by the Ramazzini Institute in Italy and involved scientists from across the US, South America and Europe.

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