Top News - August - 2002
Amanda Logan went to the Indigenous Games in Winnipeg as Team Ontario's pitcher in the Junior Girls' Division.
Photo Credit: Bert CrowfootM'Wikwedong band fears losing its cultural centre
Bartleman visits Manitoulin chiefs and Elders
Weather intervenes in gathering
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M'Wikwedong band fears losing its cultural centre
Bichbark Staff, Owen Sound"We are family and we want stay in our home," say the people of M'Wikwedong.
The M'Wikwedong Native Cultural Centre in Owen Sound has been based in a house rented from Westside United Church for the last two years.
The church has informed M'Wikwedong that they must vacate the property by Sept. 30.
On July 22, about 20 members of the M'Wikwedong, including a drum circle, formed a picket line outside the church to make a protest at being turned out.
An offer to purchase the building for $120,000 was made by the group. After being initially accepted by the church, it was turned down.
The church had been informed it must accept an offer of $130,000 from a construction company.
Some Church ministers joined the picket line.
On July 25, the people of M'Wikwedong were informed that the offer from the construction company had been rejected by the church presbytery, and the M'Wikwedong are invited to a mediation meeting with the church at the end of August.
Leeann Eamer, directer of the cultural centre, said, "The protest was very peaceful, which is what we wanted."
Bartleman visits Manitoulin chiefs and Elders
Margo Little, Birchbark Writer, Manitoulin
The appointment of Ontario's first Aboriginal lieutenant governor is a morale boost for First Nations communities throughout the province. James K. Bartleman included Manitoulin Island on his recent goodwill tour of Northern Ontario.
"I have never had the pleasure of visiting Manitoulin before," he said. "I am very happy to visit the largest fresh water island in the world, this island named after the Great Spirit."
Since taking over the five year posting in March of this year, Bartleman has been consulting with Elders' groups and reconnecting with the land. "I just like to shake hands with the people I meet and to acknowledge their cares, their aspirations and their family life," he told a welcoming committee at the Ojibwe Cultural Foundation (OCF) in M'Chigeeng. "It is nice to meet people throughout the province and to see how similar we are."
Paul Nadijiwan, director of the foundation, assisted by Sam Senecal, conducted a pipe ceremony "to commemorate this wonderful day."
"It is good to see a First Nations person appointed to such an important position in the province," Nadijiwan said. "I hope it will help to communicate First Nations goals to the public and the government."
Accompanied by his youngest son, Alain, the lieutenant governor enjoyed the Thunderbird pipe song and the Song of the Sun Spirit performed by the Sucker Creek drum group.
M'Chigeeng Chief Glen Hare told the gathering, "It is a giant step forward for us that a First Nations individual has achieved this title. The appointment will assist our lobbying efforts and help us in our work. I look forward to the partnership."
"We have a lot of pride knowing that a First Nations member is in this high position," added Chief Leona Nahwegahbow of the Birch Island band. "He is doing a lot of role modelling for young people. He is demonstrating that there are opportunities for youth beyond their dreams."
Violet McGregor, chair of the OCF Elders Advisory Committee, agreed that Bartleman appears to be more visible and accessible than previous appointees. In her role, McGregor said she has met many lieutenant governors over the years.
"People are more apt to visit him because he's one of us," she said. "He's more understanding of the needs of Aboriginal people."
She hopes to make Bartleman aware of the goals of the OCF in its mission to preserve First Nations culture and language. Of particular importance is the expansion of the museum at the M'Chigeeng cultural centre. "We will make sure he knows what the museum is all about," McGregor stressed. "Perhaps in the future he can assist us with getting more support for the museum. I know good things will happen from this visit."
Sagamok Elder, Madonna Toulouse, travelled to Manitoulin to meet the provincial dignitary. "It is the first time an Indian has been nominated for an honor like this," she said. "This is a breakthrough for us to have a First Nations person as lieutenant governor. The next step is for a Native person to be premier and prime minister."
Gertrude Lewis of Serpent River First Nation echoed Toulouse's dream. "We are getting there," she said of the appointment. "He is getting to know all the different areas where the First Nations people live. A lot of the politicians just stay in the cities and are unaware of the problems that people face in terms of housing and transportation," she said."
The lieutenant governor toured the art exhibits and museum artifacts before continuing on to the Queen Mother M'Nidoo-M'Nissing Provincial Park, established two years ago by the Nature Conservancy of Canada.
Parks Ontario personnel introduced Bartleman to a variety of endangered flora and fauna now protected in the M'Nidoo-M'Nissing conservation area.
Reflecting on the events of the day, Bartleman said, "The theme of the day is definitely harmony. I note the harmony between nature and human settlement; I observe the harmony that exists between the local people and the summer visitors. I have been spending my summers in Muskoka for the past 35 years and there's a similar feeling here on Manitoulin, but this is really quite unique."
Weather intervenes in gatheringAbby Cote, Birchbark Writer, Bear Island
The residents of Bear Island, Temagami First Nation and the nearby town of Temagami launched the Temagami Community Foundation on Bear Island on July 28.
The Temagami Community Foundation has been in the works since February of 1999.
"The sole purpose of the Foundation is to receive and distribute contributions for the benefit of the community and whose accumulated funds will be managed by members of that community. Within the structure described by the Foundation, there will be opportunities through the distribution of grants for any number of charitable activities," stated Vicky McKenzie Grant, chairwoman of the board of directors and founding board president.
"We will be looking at proposals aimed at arts and culture, sustainable development, environmental initiatives, social, educational, agricultural, historical, or even some not-yet-recognized concern. The foundation believes that co-operation, respect and community accountability can provide perpetual stewardship for the land."
Special guest and key note speaker was to have been Lt.-Gov. James K. Bartleman. Unfortunately, severe weather in the region caused Bartleman to cancel his appearance.
He did however fax his speech, in which he stated:
"This initiative is rooted in a sense of neighbourliness and concern for the region as a whole. The Temagami Community Foundation will be well placed to provide broadly based and effective leadership."
A gift had been made for Bartleman, a canoe paddle with an inscription, bead work by Betty Ann Paul and an Eagle feather. It will be presented to him later.
Administered by a voluntary board of 12 directors, the foundation is a public charitable organization established for the long-term benefit of the Temagami community. Having received Canadian charitable registration status, members are seeking equivalent American status.
The board is comprised of Aboriginal, non-Aboriginal, Canadian and American citizens: currently five members of Bear Island, three residents of Temagami, two Americans and two tourists with long time ties to the Temagami area.
As Bear Island is only accessible by water, more than 100 people braved Lake Temagami, crossing in high winds and periods of severe rain to attend the celebration.
Representatives of the Community Foundations of Canada, Ontario Trillium Foundation, Temagami Public School, David Ramsay, MPP for Temiskaming District, Temagami First Nation Chief Alex Paul, Municipality of Temagami Mayor Wayne Adair, and Teme Augama Anishinabai Chief Doug McKenzie all spoke.
Bear Island Elder Barry McKenzie with tears in his voice publicly thanked the Ontario Trillium Foundation for providing the grant funding needed to purchase the Elder's new pontoon boat.
"For years the Elders identified the need for a boat that would be easier for them to get in and out of. Many of our Elders have mobility problems, this pontoon boat will meet their needs to allow them get in and out of the boat safely and with dignity," stated McKenzie.
