The Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation has donated thousands of pounds of fish fillets to food banks in the area.
The First Nation based at Neyaashiinigmiing says, like many other areas of the economy, its commercial fishing industry has been devastated by COVID-19 as most of the fish harvested are normally destined for many now-closed restaurants and markets.
Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation has been working with its fishermen to redirect the flow of fish to food banks, both inside and outside the First Nation.
The First Nation has distributed more than 3,600 pounds of fillets to various food banks and organizations, including the Wiarton Salvation Army Food Bank, the M'Wikwedong Native Cultural Resource Centre, the Toronto Council Fire Native Cultural Centre, the Saugeen First Nation Food Bank and the Chippewas of Nawash Good Food Bank.
Captain Mary Millar of the Wiarton Salvation Army expressed the gratitude of food bank patrons on receiving fresh whitefish or salmon. “
The fish from Nawash has been very well received,” Millar says in a statement. “People have been overjoyed to see fresh fish because we don’t typically have things like that. Our clients have felt so happy and blessed when the option was offered. It’s been a real bright light for people who are in a difficult place.”
Chippewas of Nawash is one half of the Saugeen Ojibway Nation, whose traditional territory occupies much of southern Ontario, from the tip of the Bruce Peninsula, south to Goderich, from Lake Huron to Collingwood.