Cameco announced today its support of the new Northumberland County Archives and Museum (NCAM) facility and the inaugural exhibition, Gidinawendimin, meaning “We are all related” in Anishinaabemowin – also known as the Ojibwe language.
The exhibit, opening alongside the new building in fall 2025, will celebrate Anishinaabemowin
in the Michi Saagiig dialect, the first predominant language spoken on this territory.
Designed through collaboration and partnership with e wiindmaagzijig – a circle of Elders, Knowledge
Keepers and leaders in language revitalization – this circle provided guidance to NCAM staff and Entro –
an award-winning experiential design firm – to ensure the Michi Saagiig content is authentic, accurate
and respectfully showcases the beauty, resiliency and vibrancy of the Anishinaabeg language.
“Anishinaabemowin izhi-Chegwin” [Our language is everything], says Tom Cowie, Hiawatha First Nation
Eagle Staff carrier and member of e wiindmaagzijig.
“Giiayaawag aawangininaanig, aadizookaanan miinawaa Gikendaasowin.” [It carries our stories,
traditions, and knowledge].
“Giiayaawag aawangininaanig inaadiziwininaanig, aki, nibi, miinawaa gaye awesiinyag.” [It connects us
with our relations, our people, the lands, water and the living things].
“Omaa wiijiiwaaganag gaa-izhi-ayaad, gii-izhi-gikendamang gikendaasowin gaa-izhi-ayaad giianishinaabeg.” [This exhibit invites everyone to hear and understand the wisdom passed down from our ancestors].
“Cameco is honoured to support the development of Gidinawendimin and to celebrate the first
predominant language spoken on this territory,” says Dale Clark, vice-president of Cameco’s Fuel
Services Division. “This is an important initiative to honour the rich history of Indigenous languages and
demonstrate the need to preserve Indigenous history, culture and the wisdom of generations.”
A full version of Gidinawendimin will be available in Cobourg at the new NCAM this year and at the
Peterborough Museum and Archives in 2026, creating a year-long celebration. A compact mobile
version of the exhibit will also circulate in 2025 and 2026 through communities, cultural centres and
schools across Williams Treaty First Nations territory.
“We are grateful for Cameco’s generous support of this inaugural exhibit,” states County Warden Brian
Ostrander. “This partnership will help us honour the rich cultural heritage of Indigenous languages on
this territory, while creating a space where all residents can learn, reflect, and appreciate the diverse
history that has shaped this community. We are excited for residents and visitors to experience this
meaningful exhibit, and we are proud to work with Cameco and e wiindmaagzijig in preserving a vital
part of this land’s history.”
As part of Cameco’s contribution, a public research and programming space within the new NCAM
facility will be named the ‘Cameco Reading Room’. NCAM will also feature a gallery, conservation lab
and collections storage to support the protection and preservation of archival materials and artefacts
that represent the stories of the people, places and development of Northumberland County.
NCAM will celebrate the grand opening of its innovative new space, shared with the County’s long-term
care facility – the Golden Plough Lodge – in fall 2025. This project has been made possible in part by the
Government of Canada. Events and programs will be announced in the coming months, and residents
will be invited to tour the facility and explore Gidinawendimin.
For more information, please visit Northumberland.ca/NCAM.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
