Red Roots Trading Co. & Kitigan Zibi Land Claim

Our Roots, Our Land

At Red Roots Trading Co., every day we are guided by the land we operate on, the waters that flow through it, and the community that has nurtured us. Founded by a member of the Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation, our work in Ottawa and beyond is inseparable from the history, rights, and stewardship of the Algonquin people.

Recently, the Kitigan Zibi Nation took a historic step forward by filing a landmark land claim in Québec Superior Court, asserting Aboriginal title over vast swaths of territory in western Québec. This claim is not just about land, it’s about our people having a say in how water, forests, wildlife, and resources are managed, and about ensuring future generations benefit from the lands that have always been theirs.

For us at Red Roots, this legal action reinforces the foundation upon which our company is built: responsible, community-centered trade rooted in Indigenous rights and sustainability, operating on our unceded ancestral lands.

Understanding the Kitigan Zibi Land Claim

A Historic Step for Indigenous Rights

On October 29, 2025, the Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation filed a claim in Québec Superior Court, seeking formal recognition of Aboriginal title over roughly 8,000–10,000 square kilometers of traditional territory. This claim names the federal and provincial governments, Hydro-Québec, and the National Capital Commission (NCC) as defendants and requests $5 Billion in compensation for past harms, including resource extraction and unconsented land use.

Chief Jean-Guy Whiteduck emphasized that this claim is not intended to displace private property owners, but to ensure Indigenous communities have meaningful control over lands that have been historically mismanaged or exploited without their consent or adequate/any compensation.

The Lands Involved

The claim covers eight main areas:

- Islands in the Ottawa River, including Morris and Kettle Islands

- Gatineau Park and adjoining lands in the city of Gatineau

- Two harvesting zones in the Gatineau regional county

- Papineau-Labelle Wildlife Reserve

- Baskatong Reservoir and surrounding areas flooded by the 1927 Mercier hydroelectric dam

These lands have been central to Kitigan Zibi’s culture, economy, and way of life for centuries. The claim references the 1760 Treaty of Swegatchy (also called the Treaty of Oswegatchie) and the Royal Proclamation of 1763, documents that historically recognized Algonquin land rights.

Why This Matters to Us at Red Roots

As a company founded by a member of Kitigan Zibi, our daily operations are directly intertwined with these lands. Every product we offer: cannabis flower, vapes, concentrates, and other botanicals, are handled with respect for the territory they come from. This land claim highlights the importance of ethical sourcing, community partnership, and sustainable business practices, all of which are core to our identity.

We operate with the knowledge that business is not separate from the land or the people of Kitigan Zibi. Whether we’re sourcing products, managing supply chains, or delivering locally in Ottawa and Gatineau, we strive to ensure our practices reflect the values of stewardship, respect, and intergenerational responsibility that the land claim embodies.

How We Operate in Ottawa and Beyond

Our day-to-day work is grounded in the principles of the Kitigan Zibi Nation. This means:

Sustainable Sourcing: All our products are selected with awareness of environmental and cultural stewardship, from locally grown botanicals to responsibly produced and laboratory tested concentrates.

Community Benefit: We prioritize wellness and economic opportunities for members of the Kitigan Zibi community.

Ethical Distribution: Our delivery and logistics operations in Ottawa and surrounding areas are aligned with Indigenous land-use values, ensuring that commerce respects the land and water that sustain us.

Through these practices, we aim to demonstrate that Indigenous-led businesses can thrive while respecting traditional lands, natural resources, and community rights.

Our Products and Community Offerings

At Red Roots, we proudly offer a wide range of high-quality products:

Cannabis Flower: Carefully curated strains for diverse effects and experiences.

Vapes & Concentrates: Sourced for purity, potency, and taste.

Wellness Botanicals: Natural products inspired by traditional practices.

We also invite our community to visit our friends at Zibi Smoke Co. in Ottawa (Vanier), open 24/7/365, for exclusively Indigenous tobacco and nicotine products. Both Red Roots and Zibi Smoke Co. operate on the principle that commerce should respect Indigenous lands, benefit local communities, and maintain transparency in all operations.

The Legal Claim and Our Shared Future

The Kitigan Zibi land claim is part of a broader movement across Canada recognizing Indigenous title. Recent precedents, such as the B.C. Supreme Court ruling in Richmond, demonstrate the transformative potential of these cases. Should the court recognize Kitigan Zibi’s title, it would:

Empower Indigenous governance over water, forestry, and wildlife management

Ensure communities benefit from natural resources extracted from their lands

Set a precedent for reconciliation and responsible co-management

For us at Red Roots, this is not an abstract legal matter, it’s a call to action to operate responsibly, to support our community, and to align commerce with Indigenous values.

How You Can Support Indigenous-led Business

We encourage our customers, partners, and friends to:

Shop with Red Roots Trading Co. online and explore our respectable selection of Indigenous craft grown cannabis flower, vapes, concentrates, and wellness botanicals.

Visit Zibi Smoke Co. in Ottawa for Indigenous tobacco and nicotine products available anytime, 24/7/365.

Learn about Indigenous land claims and stewardship, supporting businesses that respect traditional territories and community governance.

Engage with local communities, prioritizing partnerships that reflect fairness, sustainability, and cultural respect.

By choosing to support Indigenous-led businesses like ours, you’re contributing to a more equitable and sustainable economy, and helping ensure that future generations of Kitigan Zibi have their rights, resources, and culture recognized and protected.

Our Commitment

The land we operate on is not simply space for business. It is our home, heritage, and responsibility. The Kitigan Zibi land claim reminds us that commerce, community, and culture are intertwined. At Red Roots Trading Co., we are committed to:

- Honoring Indigenous rights and stewardship in all our operations.

- Providing high-quality products and services while respecting the land.

- Building a sustainable, community-focused future in Ottawa, western Québec, and beyond.

We invite you to join us on this journey through ethical shopping, community engagement, and support for Indigenous-led enterprises. Together, we can ensure that commerce, culture, and community thrive side by side.

Miigwetch (thank you).