We are not just “ISN”. We are not the “white business men from Toronto”. We are ISN Maskwa.
To remove “Maskwa” when referring to ISN Maskwa, removes a key component of who we are. In the Cree culture, Maskwa means ‘bear’ and symbolizes wisdom, strength, healing and family. The bear is also a protector, a leader and is a powerful spirit in Indigenous traditions. The ISN Maskwa members use their wisdom and leadership to strive to incorporate tradition practices while empowering Indigenous communities to have their voice heard in emergency management.
November 2023 marks three years that ISN Maskwa has been an established company. Owned by Missanabie Cree First Nation, and created in partnership between Missanabie Cree First Nation (MCFN) and Investigative Solutions Network (ISN), ISN Maskwa focuses on providing innovative solutions & opportunities for Indigenous communities.
ISN Maskwa is Canada’s first Indigenous Emergency Operations Centre (“IEOC”) and a leader in training and deploying in Indigenous communities for a variety of specialties. ISN Maskwa has been working extensively to build the initiative across the province of “Indigenous-led Community Support” in regards to evacuation and emergency response. Headquartered in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabek, our team of leading experts accumulate decades of experience in and around the Indigenous communities of Canada. Our team strives to establish and build upon many meaningful relationships with First Nations, Metis and Inuit leaders and communities across the province of Ontario.
We are a company and a team, built up of individuals from across the province and the country, from all walks of life, different bands and different ethnicities with a variety of life experiences that make us a unique family. Our combined knowledge and experience makes our team a force to be reckoned with.
We are ISN Maskwa.
Author Bio:
A Collective Piece from the ISN Maskwa Team
