Cameco supports Northumberland County Archives & Museum and inaugural Michi Saagiig Language Exhibit
PORT HOPE, Ontario, Canada (March 31, 2025) – Cameco announced today its support of the new Northumberland County Archives and Museum (NCAM) facility and the inaugural exhibition, Gidinawendimin, meaning “We are all related” in Anishinaabemowin – also known as the Ojibwe language. The exhibit, opening alongside the new building in fall 2025, will celebrate Anishinaabemowin in the Michi Saagiig dialect, the first predominant language spoken on this territory.
Designed through collaboration and partnership with e wiindmaagzijig – a circle of Elders, Knowledge Keepers and leaders in language revitalization – this circle provided guidance to NCAM staff and Entro – an award-winning experiential design firm – to ensure the Michi Saagiig content is authentic, accurate and respectfully showcases the beauty, resiliency and vibrancy of the Anishinaabeg language.
“Anishinaabemowin izhi-Chegwin” [Our language is everything], says Tom Cowie, Hiawatha First Nation Eagle Staff carrier and member of e wiindmaagzijig.
“Giiayaawag aawangininaanig, aadizookaanan miinawaa Gikendaasowin.” [It carries our stories, traditions, and knowledge].
“Giiayaawag aawangininaanig inaadiziwininaanig, aki, nibi, miinawaa gaye awesiinyag.” [It connects us with our relations, our people, the lands, water and the living things].
“Omaa wiijiiwaaganag gaa-izhi-ayaad, gii-izhi-gikendamang gikendaasowin gaa-izhi-ayaad gii-anishinaabeg.” [This exhibit invites everyone to hear and understand the wisdom passed down from our ancestors].
“Cameco is honoured to support the development of Gidinawendimin and to celebrate the first predominant language spoken on this territory,” says Dale Clark, vice-president of Cameco’s Fuel Services Division. “This is an important initiative to honour the rich history of Indigenous languages and demonstrate the need to preserve Indigenous history, culture and the wisdom of generations.”
A full version of Gidinawendimin will be available in Cobourg at the new NCAM this year and at the Peterborough Museum and Archives in 2026, creating a year-long celebration. A compact mobile version of the exhibit will also circulate in 2025 and 2026 through communities, cultural centres and schools across Williams Treaty First Nations territory.
“We are grateful for Cameco’s generous support of this inaugural exhibit,” states County Warden Brian Ostrander. “This partnership will help us honour the rich cultural heritage of Indigenous languages on this territory, while creating a space where all residents can learn, reflect, and appreciate the diverse history that has shaped this community. We are excited for residents and visitors to experience this meaningful exhibit, and we are proud to work with Cameco and e wiindmaagzijig in preserving a vital part of this land’s history.”
As part of Cameco’s contribution, a public research and programming space within the new NCAM facility will be named the ‘Cameco Reading Room’. NCAM will also feature a gallery, conservation lab and collections storage to support the protection and preservation of archival materials and artefacts that represent the stories of the people, places and development of Northumberland County.
NCAM will celebrate the grand opening of its innovative new space, shared with the County’s long-term care facility – the Golden Plough Lodge – in fall 2025. This project has been made possible in part by the Government of Canada. Events and programs will be announced in the coming months, and residents will be invited to tour the facility and explore Gidinawendimin.
For more information, please visit Northumberland.ca/NCAM.
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About Cameco
Cameco is one of the largest global providers of the uranium fuel needed to power a secure energy future. Our competitive position is based on our controlling ownership of the world’s largest high-grade reserves and low-cost operations, as well as significant investments across the nuclear fuel cycle, including ownership interests in Westinghouse Electric Company and Global Laser Enrichment. Utilities around the world rely on Cameco to provide global nuclear fuel solutions for the generation of safe, reliable, carbon-free nuclear power. Our shares trade on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges. Our head office is in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.
About e wiindmaagzijig
e wiindmaagzijig is an advisory circle of Indigenous Elders, Knowledge Keepers and leaders from Alderville, Hiawatha, and Curve Lake First Nations, Fleming College, Trent University, Kawartha Pine Ridge and Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Boards, the Nogojiwanong Friendship Centre, and TVO Indigenous brought together to guide exhibition and program development for the inaugural exhibitions at NCAM.
About NCAM
The Northumberland County Archives & Museum (NCAM) is a cultural institution committed to preserving and promoting the stories of the people, places and development of Northumberland County.
About Northumberland County
Located on the traditional territory of the Mississauga, Northumberland County is a thriving community just one hour east of Toronto along Highway 401, with easy access to urban centres to the north, east and west. As the upper tier level of municipal government for the region, Northumberland County’s vision is to bring together people, partnerships and possibilities for a strong and vibrant Northumberland. Our community includes seven distinct yet complementary municipalities, with County Council comprised of the Mayors of each of these member municipalities:
- Township of Alnwick/Haldimand
- Municipality of Brighton
- Town of Cobourg
- Township of Cramahe
- Township of Hamilton
- Municipality of Port Hope
- Municipality of Trent Hills
For more information please contact:
Sara Forsey
Director, Public & Government Affairs
Cameco Fuel Services Division
905.800.2023
Sara_forsey@cameco.com
Kate Campbell
Director of Communications and Information Technology
Northumberland County
905.372.3329 x2335
campbellk@northumberland.ca
www.northumberland.ca