Learn About Your Host

The Saugeen Ojibway Nation

A Nation where land, water, and tradition guide the way.

Nestled along the beautiful shores of Lake Huron and Georgian Bay, the Saugeen (Bruce) Peninsula is a region shaped by water, its abundance, its spirit, and its life-giving power. For generations beyond count, these waters have provided food, connection, and purpose.

The Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation and the Chippewas of Saugeen First Nation, together known as the Saugeen Ojibway Nation (SON), are the original stewards of these lands and waters. Fishing is more than a livelihood for the SON; it is a cultural practice, a spiritual responsibility, and a foundation of community life. These fisheries have supported ceremony, trade, governance, and sustenance since time immemorial.

The deep relationship between the Saugeen Ojibway Nation and these waters continues today. In recognition of this enduring connection, the Canadian courts have affirmed the SON’s Aboriginal and Treaty rights to fish for sustenance and commercial purposes throughout their traditional territory, including Owen Sound and Colpoy’s Bay.

As hosts of the 16th International Symposium on Biology and Management of Coregonid Fishes, the Saugeen Ojibway Nation invites you to learn about this place through its stories, values, and continued stewardship. We are proud to welcome you to our territory, where tradition meets science, and where the waters continue to teach.