The turtle inspires these Indigenous advocates to give back to the land

In the Anishinaabe creation story, the turtle holds a special significance as the first woman, Sky Woman, is given a home on its back. For Anishinaabe grandmother Vivian Recollet, a member of the Turtle Clan from Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory, the turtle played a crucial role in her personal journey of healing and reconnecting with her Anishinaabe culture.

As a survivor of the Sixties Scoop, Recollet found solace in the teachings of the turtle, particularly the teaching of truth, one of the Seven Grandfather Teachings. She emphasizes the importance of seeking truth in every aspect of life, especially in the face of colonization’s impact on Indigenous communities.

Now residing in Toronto, Recollet feels a sense of responsibility to give back to the turtle that she believes guided her to a place of healing. She is an advisor to Turtle Protectors, an Indigenous-led program dedicated to safeguarding urban park-dwelling turtles from threats such as foot traffic, pets, and over-predation.

Turtle Protectors, founded by Carolynne Crawley and Jenny Davis, operates in various parks in the Greater Toronto Area. The program raises awareness of urban turtles, protects turtle nests, and runs a hotline for reports of vulnerable or injured turtles. Crawley, inspired by a nesting mother snapping turtle in High Park, emphasizes the importance of being present and attentive to the natural world, as turtles are often overlooked in urban environments.

Despite all eight species of turtles in Ontario being listed as species at risk, there was previously no official turtle protection program in Toronto. Turtle Protectors aims to fill this gap and highlight the critical role turtles play in maintaining ecosystem health, particularly in keeping waters clean.

Crawley envisions her work as part of a broader effort to repair the environmental damage caused by colonization and resource extraction. She advocates for a reciprocal relationship with the natural world, akin to Indigenous philosophies, where humanity treats all beings with love, respect, and gratitude.

The Anishinaabe Turtle Song, shared by elder Garry Sault, invites humanity to join the turtle on a journey to heal the Earth. Sault emphasizes the Anishinaabe’s responsibility to care for the land and waters, using the Turtle Song as a tool to engage governments and business interests in environmental protection efforts.

This story is part of a series from Unreserved called Sacred Seven, exploring the seven sacred teachings and highlighting Indigenous Elders, knowledge keepers, and community members who embody these teachings in their actions. Join the turtle on its journey towards healing and environmental stewardship.