Episode 16: Zhaawnong Webb

Listen to Anishinaabe Content Creator, Speaker & Educator, Zhaawnong Webb  as he educates us on Canada's Indian Act and the U.N. Declaration of Rights for Indigenous People.

Zhaawnong Webb is a member of the Crane clan in the Anishinaabek Nation and is from Kitigan-Zibi First Nation, as well as a proud Michi Saagiig Anishinaabe inini born and raised in the Kawartha Nishnawbe community in Burleigh Falls Ontario. He is in his second year of the Indigenous Studies program at Trent University. Zhaawnong began his social media journey in September of 21’ while starting his academics and reconnecting with his Anishinaabe culture and ceremonies. Since then, he has gained significant momentum in his social media journey. With his new found passion for content creating, Zhaawnong hopes to connect more with his Anishinaabe culture and show Indigenous youth to be proud of who they are.

Follow Zhaawnong on Instagram and TikTok

This episode was produced by Viktor Maco, Renzo Spirit Buffalo and J.B. Hart.  Our Patreon Producers are Reena Krishnan and Kathey Duerr. Our editor is Abbey Franz.

Funding was provided by Earth Rising Foundation and our friends and patrons at Patreon and Buy Me A Coffee.

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Transcript

Zhaawnong Webb  00:00

The biggest myth that we're told by people is that life is short. I've always never understood that like, that doesn't make any sense. It's like the longest thing we ever experienced what I always tell people as I say, don't listen to those people. You know, life is life is so long, and we have so much time. And so my biggest advice to people is to be patient. I'm somebody who believes that my path and where I'm going in life has already been determined and and my ancestors in the Creator already know where and what I'm going to do. And so for me, I just put my faith in the creator and I put my faith in my in my ancestors and those people who are watching over me

LeAndra Nephin  00:49

welcome to another episode of not invisible native peoples on the frontlines. I'm your host, Leandro Nephin. Joining us today is Native Tik Tok and Indigenous influencer Zhaawnong Webb, we will be discussing the Indian Act, the UN Declaration of Rights for indigenous peoples and his journey towards reconnecting with his Anishanaabe language. Thank you for joining us. Welcome, Zhaawnong, please introduce yourself to our listeners today. Sure. Thank you so much, Ani bajo everyone. gentleman on the division of cars, John Doe, national band and endow just soggy Anishnaabe and orange bar. So hello, everyone, my name is Zhaawnong. And like you just heard of the crane clan and the initial Navajo Nation. I'm from the community of Kitigan Zibi through my mum. And then my dad is also from curb Lake First Nation, which isn't here in Ontario. And I was born and raised in a little small Anishinabeg community population of about 250 people called Micha soggy Anishnaabe Bay in Burley Falls, Ontario. So I'm really excited to be here. i It's always a pleasure to get to sit down and and have these wonderful conversations. Yes, absolutely. And we're looking forward to getting to know you a little bit better. So thank you for introducing yourself to our listeners, I want to just start off with your social media content creating and how that really got started on your journey. How is that going? And where did that all begin? Sure. So first of all backup to the summer before I went to school, actually, because it kind of paved the way for my where my life has been going. But I think I can I can speak for a lot of people in where the first summer of the COVID 19 pandemic, a lot of people were left being stuck at home and having a lot of time to think for themselves and to think about where they're going and kind of have those reflective times. And that really hit that really hit me pretty hard. In that first year of COVID-19, I was kind of really stuck thinking about myself and thinking about where I'm going. And so it was kind of during that period that I kind of had my epiphany moment of wanting to go back to school and to exploring my identity as a as an initial bat indigenous person. And so I enrolled in Trent University. And it wasn't until I got here that I made a good number of indigenous friends here at the school. And what I would do is I would make funny, I would make funny like Snapchat skits of myself. And I would like send them to all of my friends. And a lot of them came back saying like, Oh, you're so funny, you should start a tick tock, you should start a tick tock. And for a while I was like Nah, no, I'm not going to do that, like I don't know, right. And I've always been a very kind of confident, not very shy person. But there was something about joining a new app and trying to basically just put my face and my silliness on the internet and seeing where it took where it took me I was kind of nervous about that. But my friends talked me into it. And I finally started to basically take what I was already doing on like Snapchat videos and I just decided to start making videos and put them on on tick tock. And so for a long time, it was just something that I did on the side for a little bit of fun and things didn't really begin to pick up for me until about six or seven months later when I covered an act of resurgence that happened in my community where my community had a blockade and there was a protest. And so I utilized my platform in my skills to amplify what was happening in my community. Coworth initial bad blockade continues awaiting parks Canada's consultation, they still have not gotten a hold of court permission on that to resolve this issue. Today, many of our members gathered to raise a flag on the dam and to get together for some singing and food. Our community members are very grateful for all the support we've been getting these last few days. And so that's where kind of my passion for, for, for, like creating these videos and using those skills kind of all started was when I started to make those videos. And then after that I just kind of made videos that that kind of felt comfortable for me or that I was interested in at the time. And it wasn't until about a whole year into my content creation that I really began to, to get comfortable and to really dial down on the type of videos that I'm good at creating. And so that's when my series like the Indian Act, Facts series, and all the videos that you can see on my account now, it was about that year, and so about eight months ago, that that those videos really started to become created. We're looking forward to seeing that continued growth in terms of the new projects that are coming down the pipeline. I wanted to ask, though, just to kind of rewind a little bit, can you just talk us through what was happening in your community that you were sort of highlighting just for some of our listeners that may not be aware of this kind of resurgence and protests that was happening? Yeah, sure. So a little bit of backstory, actually, my community is a non registered, recognized community. So what that means is, it doesn't fall into the Indian Act system, like like another reservation would, for instance. So our community is is it's a recognized Anishinabeg community, but it doesn't fall under the Indian Act system. And so with it not falling under the Indian Act system, there's there's some boundaries in the way and our community is a little bit more likely to be ignored. And sometimes there's some communication and a lot of stuff that that sometimes gets glossed over because we're not registered under the Indian Act system. So, you know, there's pros and cons to being a community that's registered under the Indian Act. And there's pros and cons to being a community that isn't right. And one of those cons is that our community isn't communicated with with the same regards as to another community, right. And so what happened is parks Ontario, in partnership with the municipal government, they needed to retrofit and rebuild all of the dam system along the Trent Severn waterway. Because it's Parks Canada that that monitors and controls all of the the dam system along the Trent Severn waterway. And what happened was, as Parks Canada began construction on the dam in Burley falls, but they did so with only having consultation and permission from a neighboring community that isn't ours. So basically, what happened was the people of course, Anishnaabe Emberley, falls kind of stepped in and said, No, you can't, you can't go ahead with this construction unless you proceed with the proper consultation process with Coworth initial hobby. And so that's kind of what started at all. And the blockade lasted about three weeks, and the consultation process began. And the process was ongoing for a number of months. But unfortunately, the process was taking too long, where the the construction company that was contracted to do the work decided to back out of the project. So Parks Canada, was kind of forced to brush it under the fringe kind of thing until they can find another contracting company to kind of take on the work. So that type of work is the type of work that would take kind of years to finish. So it's something that they want to get they want to get started on. But they know now that if they want to go ahead and proceed with that, with that construction that they'll have to do that consultation process with Coworth initial hobby, so that kind of that's kind of what stemmed that whole issue. And my part to play was I utilized my content, and my pages to kind of create these kind of reporter style videos where I was like, this is what's happening at the court Anishinabeg blockade, and I kind of talked about what was happening. We've done it, after three long weeks at the blockade courts initiative, and Parks Canada has begun proper consultation, and we couldn't be more grateful for all the support we've been given from all you guys, our petition signers, and to the people bringing us food, blankets and supports. I end this by saying the Grinch, thank you. And if you scroll a long ways in my account, you can find those videos still. And I was also responsible for starting a petition where people could sign and kind of like take their stand and stand with Korth Anishnaabe A. And we actually got that petition over 30,000 signatures. So it was a proud moment for me to be able to assist my community in that way. And the outcome was a little disappointing, but it's really kind of given us a lot of lessons and given us a lot of skills moving forward should should something like that happen again. Yeah, absolutely. You're kind of bringing up some really kind of relevant issues that we have in the United States in terms of federal recognition as that acted you were created any obstacles in terms of your own kind of reconnection journey within the Shinobi? I mean, has there been any obstacles in terms of not having that status.

Zhaawnong Webb  10:09

So it's funny, you mentioned that because kind of what's happened with our community is the members of our community, how the history works is our community was founded by five families that had willfully given up their their Indian status card to move off of reserve and seek a better life and this new, this new spot of land. And so this was during a period in the 1800s, where, if you were in the ship, if you were a native and you wanted to live off reserve, you had to assimilate and give up your status, right. And so these these five families, they decided to do that they decided to give up their status because they saw a better life for themselves in Burleigh false. And this was during the height of the logging industry. And there was a lot of tourism at the time. And so those families found a lot of work in that community with logging and with fishing, guiding and kind of tourism. And so it wasn't up until kind of these last, you know, 1030 years that our community has actually been able to track and trace our ancestry back to those communities that our families had left. And we've been able to actually acquire Indian status through those communities. So the people in Burley falls were kind of confusing, because we kind of have like, almost dual citizenship, right? So I have my Indian status, I registered under the Indian Act with Kitigan Zibi, because my mom moved to that community, but she she's status from Kitigan Zibi. And so a lot of the members in Burley falls are actually data's registered like Indian people under the Indian Act, you know, registered Indians, right. But we also have a card that says where from the court Anishnaabe A and that were exempt of certain treaty rights. And what I mean by that is the people of course, Anishnaabe, Amberley. Falls, they were absent a lot of the the signing of treaties in the area. So we see ourselves as still entitled to the treaty rights that were signed away by certain communities. So we have a little card that says are exempt from from treaty, so and so under, so and so act, right. So we kind of have like, almost like a dual citizenship type thing going on. But as for barriers with my reconnection process, and finding my way, I wouldn't say there's a lot of boundaries in the way of being seen and being recognized as an indigenous person, I've always looked that stereotypically indigenous, I haven't, I've never had to deal with with having with white passing. And I've always had parents who were always strong in their identity and knew who they were as an issue, not that people. So for me, it wasn't so much about struggling to navigate my identity, but it was more about, you know, finding the resources and making those connections was kind of the hard part, right. And so that was very much what has also led me going to Trent University, because getting into an Indigenous Studies program is a great way to make connections with people in your community who you know, might be able to get you into a sweat lodge, or might be able to get you to ceremony and that sort of thing. So for me, kind of the hurdle was was finding my way back into those communities. And for me, kind of going to school was a part of that avenue. And I guess my content creation was also another step into that community as well.

LeAndra Nephin  13:19

Yeah, and you're kind of bringing to mind a conversation that we had previously with Pam Perlmutter, you know, you're talking about kind of action and we all have a place and even in, you know, my tribe, we have a clenched governance, right, in terms of our rights or roles or responsibilities to our communities. But when we think about that kind of role, as you said, you know, action, action oriented, you know, even in our language, languages, indigenous languages tends to be verb oriented. What I guess I want to pose this question to you, and we pose this question to Pam as well. But what does land back mean to you?

Zhaawnong Webb  13:57

Sure, land back. I remember I made a video about land back last summer, actually. What does land back mean? land back doesn't mean that you have to give physical land title over to indigenous peoples. It means to put indigenous peoples in the forefront of all climate conversations. And it's about our right to self determination and governance over traditional territories and resources. If indigenous peoples were made a part of the conversation, our oceans might not be on fire. At the time, I remember seeing a lot of kind of misconceptions of what people thought land back was all about. And so to me at that time, I remember a lot of people were frustrated with the thought that when indigenous peoples were throwing around that phrase land back they thought that they meant you know, that everybody has to give up their land and just give it back to indigenous peoples right to me land back is all about giving, giving indigenous peoples kind of that authority over kind of what happens on their territory. So it's more about giving land sovereign The back and the right to self determination.

LeAndra Nephin  15:03

It's really interesting because it kind of links back to even your activism work that kind of kicked off your content creation, you know, when you're talking about this kind of blockade that was happening in your own community and stuff. But when you think about, I guess, your work, you know, because you do speak a lot about kind of future oriented sustainability, you know, thinking about what path we are forging for our descendants, our children, grandchildren who come after us, what I would like to ask, I guess, really is what advice would you give to indigenous youth who are coming up and who are kind of watching your content and, and learning from from some of the things that you're providing in terms of that information?

Zhaawnong Webb  15:40

I think my best advice, kind of the biggest myth that we're told by people is that life is short, I've always never understood that like, that doesn't make any sense. It's like the longest thing we ever experienced what I always tell people, as I say, don't listen to those people, you know, life is life is so long. And we have so much time. And so my biggest advice to people is to be patient, I'm somebody who believes that my path, and where I'm going in life has already been determined, and my ancestors in the Creator already know, where and what I'm going to do. And so for me, I just put my faith in the Creator, and I put my faith in my in my ancestors, and those people who are watching over me, and I put faith in those people that they'll help me stay true to that path. And that block is I seek guidance, and I seek seek out the creator and I have a relationship with my ancestors, that I'll find my way on that path. So kind of my biggest advice is always to be patient. Everybody always wants everything right away. And so I've always learned that things will, things will come to you when they're when you're meant to get them. And that I always tell reconnecting indigenous peoples, you always want to know everything right away. And so I always say, you know, spend spend a long time just sitting there and listening. And certain things will get said, and you'll absorb and you'll take in certain things that you were that you were meant to take in. And I think that when we, when we go seeking things when we ask so many questions, and when we go and try to find things. So we sometimes get lost. And we're not meant we find things we weren't necessarily meant for as initial about people specifically, we have what's called the initial bear responsibility. And certain aspects of our responsibility are to be good community members, you know, help our community help our young ones, and that sort of thing. So maybe, maybe look to your community and kind of look to see what's needed there, and start there. So for me, you know, my community is very much missing ceremony, and very much missing a lot of those aspects of communities that are missing. And so for me, one of my passions is kind of have to leave my community and seek the help of my neighbors and of my, my relatives elsewhere, to maybe one day, you know, when I'm 8085 90 years old, to maybe bring that ceremony and bring it back to my community. So I'm always thinking about those seven generations ahead of me and thinking about what can I do in this life that's going to benefit and send ripples into those those future seven generations?

LeAndra Nephin  18:10

Yeah, absolutely. And I guess thinking of those ripples in kind of the work that you're doing now, I know that you mentioned, you are you kind of mentioned that the work that you're doing is in series, kind of the Indian X series, what's upcoming for you in terms of those series that you have planned for the future on your social media accounts that we could look forward to?

Zhaawnong Webb  18:32

Well, the Indian X series can't last forever, right. So I want people to have their jaw hit the floor from something I told them about the Indian Act. And then and then go sit down at a computer and just start searching things and learning on their own. This summer, I have some ambitious projects. But I'm mostly going to just kind of take things as they come. I do aspire to possibly start my own podcast this summer. So you might you may or may not see a podcast come from me, it would be a very casual podcast, it would be kind of like a very raw conversation style podcast that will probably be in partnership with a fellow colleague of mine. So yeah, I'm just gonna let let things kind of fall in front of me and take them as they come kind of thing.

LeAndra Nephin  19:17

Yeah, like ancestors guide and directs you very, very organic approach. And we are looking forward to amplifying supporting in any way we can your work that you're doing because it's such a sacred and important work, especially for our young and up and coming indigenous scholars, children, people. So in in that vein, what can we do or what can our, our followers and listeners do to find and support the work that you're doing? Is there anything out there that you'd like to kind of shout out or amplify?

Zhaawnong Webb  19:50

You can definitely find me on Instagram and Tiktok at Jasmine on so that's Zed? HAWNO and G my Instagram and my my Tik Tok. are pretty much mirror accounts and anything I create on Tik Tok also goes on to Instagram. So I make it more accessible that way because there's not a lot of older generation that are on Tik Tok, I try to hit both accounts. And so if there's a project I'm working on, you can almost certainly find it there. There's also a link tree that's attached to my accounts in my bio, where you can find a lot of excellent kind of starter resources to get your to get your own homework kind of rolling and like learn about the residential school systems and so on and MMI W, and there's a few pages on there that you can donate to and show your support, if that's something that you're capable of doing.

LeAndra Nephin  20:36

Okay, thank you, John. I feel like I'm watching the emergence of a future Indigenous Studies professor, you know, this amazing work that you're doing and making it easily accessible to a global audience. So I want to just say want you to weep the heart. Thank you for for joining us today for entering into this conversation and this really important work that you're doing. We're huge fans. So you heard it here, first listeners go and follow him on all his social media accounts. And we thank you for listening. Thank you so much, John.

Zhaawnong Webb  21:07

Yeah, thank you. Thank you very much. I'm very pleased that you brought me on and I'm very thankful that I that I got to be a part of it.

LeAndra Nephin  21:15

This has been not invisible native peoples on the frontlines, a house on fire production. To learn more about jonang follow him on Instagram and Tiktok at jonang. That's ZHAWNONG This episode is produced by Victor Mako spirit Buffalo and JB Hart. Our editor is Abby France. Research by Sarah rose Harper. Our theme song is another side by wild whispers produced by Ben Reno, Ely love and Meghan Lee. This season of not invisible is produced with support from Earth rising Foundation, our Patreon producers Kathy Dewar and Rena Krishnan and our friends at buy me a coffee. We'd like to give a special shout out to all of our Patreon supporters. You too can become a patron by finding us at Red House series on Patreon or bias a coffee links in our website, Red House series.com won't give you with the HA I thank you all