Anishinabek Nation Grandmothers warn of AI misinformation and harm

The Anishinabek Nation's Ookomisag, or Grandmothers, are warning about the harm caused when AI-generated images are used to falsely accuse people and damage their reputations.

In a statement shared on the Nation's official Facebook page on September 19, they expressed support for Grand Council Chief Linda Debassige and opposed attempts to harm her character or reputation through AI-generated imagery or other means. The Grandmothers described Debassige, who was elected Grand Council Chief in June 2024, as defending the inherent and treaty rights of Anishinabek people.

"We will not stand by while her character is attacked or while disrespectful behaviour is directed toward our leadership," the statement reads.

The Ookomisag said malicious uses of manipulated images undermine the Seven Grandfather Teachings, violate people's dignity and integrity, and perpetuate hatred toward Anishinaabe women and others. They warned of emotional and reputational damage and called for action to prevent AI from being weaponized for defamation.

The statement also calls on people to uphold ethical standards, hold one another accountable and support leaders standing up for their rights.

"We all need to hold each other up," the Grandmothers wrote, invoking Ngo Dwe Waangizid Anishinaabe, "One Anishinaabe Family."

"We encourage everyone to be very mindful and be careful with AI," they wrote. "It distorts reality, impacts trust and can be harmful."

The full statement

The Ookomisag's statement, as shared by the Anishinabek Nation:

We, the Anishinabek Nation Ookomisag, stand together in opposition to any attempt to defame or harm the character and reputation of Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief Linda Debassige through the use of artificial intelligence (AI)-generated image or any other means.

Our Grand Council Chief is standing up against government to protect inherent and treaty rights of all Anishinabek. We will not stand by while her character is attacked or while disrespectful behaviour is directed toward our leadership.

The malicious use of a manipulated AI-created images to falsely accuse and defame women, or anyone, is an egregious violation of their dignity, and integrity. Such actions undermine the principles of our Seven Grandfather Teachings and perpetuate hatred toward other Anishinaabe women, or anyone, and only serve to cause emotional and reputational damage. It is imperative that we recognize this dangerous trend in our communities, and take decisive action to prevent the weaponization of AI technology for defamation purposes.

We must hold ourselves to a higher standard, uphold accountability, promote ethical standards, and protect everyone from such malicious attacks to ensure our leaders standing up for our rights are not torn down by anyone because of the toxic behaviours of a few. We all need to hold each other up as Ngo Dwe Waangizid Anishinaabe - One Anishinaabe Family.

We encourage everyone to be very mindful and be careful with AI. It distorts reality, impacts trust and can be harmful.