Is the Water leaving? World-Making in the Settler-Colonial Context at Lake Abitibi, Québec, Unceded Abitibiwinni Aki (Anicinape Territory)

Abstract

By centring lake Abitibi (Abitibi Sakaikan) as a constant referent and by mobilizing what I call "water teachings," this thesis engages water as co-thinker in an effort to tell diverse versions of the lake in the context of settler-colonial occupation. I argue that telling diverse, including Indigenous, versions of the lake is critical to nurturing possibilities for other futures in which the lake -and the people -might live well. I demonstrate how settler-colonialism has reduced Abitibiwinnik access to and capacity for practicing world-making, that is, for sustaining their specific version of the Abitibi lake. This alienation has led to a generalized inability to recognize and respect Abitiwinnik ways of reclaiming and maintaining a connection with the lake. Settlercolonial world-making in relation to the lake, while diverse in its iterations and variable in its proximity to Indigenous versions, has consistently downplayed co-constitution of the lake by more-than-human forces; on the other hand, this aspect is often foregrounded in Indigenous understandings and practices.In interviews conducted with both local Indigenous and non-Indigenous participants who maintain relationships with the lake, I centre water as main referent and prism for my ethnography. Part I introduces my key question, methods, and theoretical concepts for thinking with water. Part II focuses on the assumptions concerning abandonment of important sacred sites, and proposes the concept of "fluid reclamation" for understanding how Abitiwinnik remain connected to the lake.The theory and method of thinking with water allows me to contest the perception, based on the area's unfenced and unkept appearance, that the National Historic Site of the Abitibi lake (Matcite8ia or Apitipik) is abandoned, based on its unfenced and unkept appearance. I propose that the site is being reclaimed in non-dominant ways by the Abitibiwinnik. My consideration of To my friend Johnny Wylde, and your family, Emilie Wylde, Joan Wylde. For your trust, for your courage. I did not meet Sindy Ruperthouse. But I know you are all asking for us all to not forget about her. I take this line to remind everyone that the inquiry has stopped and that the family is not given any news on the disappearance of Sindy Ruperthouse, since 2014. I wish your family justice and peace. Thank you, Johnny, for being such a pillar to so many people around you. Thank you for getting me "out of my head", as you like to say. Thank you for teasing me, as you know it works... To Frances Mowatt, for all the ways you show love around you, including for your language, Anicinapemowin. Kitci Mikwetc for taking the time to discuss together on all of these topics, but also on life. To Sophie, Louka and Sheldon, I am very grateful that we are part of each other's life now. To Dahlia Mcdougall, my fierce little neighbor. To Lorianne Trapper, for all the lightness and laughter you share around you, friend.To my love David Kistabish, laughing and being silly with you is one of life's sweetest gift. You have suppo...