September/October 2015 - Michipicoten First Nation

Publication Agreement # 40040319
CHIEF’S MESSAGE
Aaniin Brothers and Sisters
We are so pleased to announce that forty boxes of archeological artifacts
have found their way home to Michipicoten First Nation. We held
ceremony on September 22, 2015 for the traditional welcoming of these
historical and precious objects and will ensure that they are carefully and
respectfully handled, catalogued, stored and hopefully, in the near future,
put on display in an appropriate place on reserve, for our citizens to view.
Table of Contents
M.F.N. Artist Painting Tunnel
Membership Memorial
2
Band Business Report
Staff Directory
3
Band Business Report Cont’d
M.F.N. Artist Painting Tunnel
cont’d
4
We continue to pressure the federal government on what we feel are Annual Membership Mtg. Report
infringements to our treaty and traditional rights. Our rights under the
Robinson Superior Treaty are being violated on land issues where the
Ontario government is handing over lands, permits, etc in our territories to September Birthday Greetings
October Birthday Greetings
other groups who do not have those rights by treaty. We have never been
compensated for the millions of acres that were given away after the Treaty October Birthday Greetings cont’d
was signed, in direct contravention to the Treaty; nor has there been any Missing membership Address list
effort to mitigate the loss of resources to our First Nations.
We settled in a peaceful and cooperative way, thirteen land claims in total in
just under ten years which did provide financial benefits; and additional
lands to be added back to the reserve, but the process for adding the lands to
reserve gets bogged down at the provincial and federal government levels.
5
6
7
Membership Info: Status Card
Application Process
8
Some Words in Ojibway
Look Ahead
9
We do not wish to battle over resources with our relatives in other Artifacts Home Coming Ceremony 10
territories; we are, however, standing firm when we are not consulted on a
government to government basis on some of the initiatives which have
MFN Cultural Centre
moved forward in our traditional territories without our input or informed
11
Summer program in pictures
consent. Where other First Nations have had some success in the courts, so
should Michipicoten First Nation assert itself if necessary through the
Ask how you can support
courts.
the
We cannot sit back and wait for opportunity to come knocking; we have to
be aggressive in our approach and demands where MOU’s and community
impact benefits agreements are being negotiated; especially with the mining
companies and any other proposed activities within our territories.
We appreciate your support, your patience and your perseverance, we have
been fighting for our rights for so long now and will continue pushing
forward for our future generations.
Chi-Miigwetch, Chief Joe Buckell
MICHIPICOTEN FIRST NATION
MICHIPICOTEN ARTIST PAINTING TUNNEL IN TORONTO. By Rick Garrick
Australian-based
Michipicoten artist
Rolande Souliere
meets with Jason
Rouleau and some of
the artists working on
her Bala Pedestrian
Underpass art work
near the Don Valley
in Toronto.
Michipicoten’s Rolande Souliere is creating Indigenous street art in the Bala Pedestrian Underpass, which is
located on the traditional lands of the Mississaugas of the New Credit. “It’s totally different from all the other
art works that have been commissioned by the city,” Souliere says. “This one is really going to stand out
because it is really intense, it’s bright. People are going to be going through the tunnel, whether on bikes or
foot.” Souliere says the art work draws attention to the longstanding 200-plus year land claim that the
Mississaugas of the New Credit settled with the federal government in 2010 for $145 million. The community
originally gave up the land, which covers Toronto and surrounding territory, in the 1787 Toronto Purchase and
the 1805 Indenture. “The zigzagging of the patterns and the little bit of pulsating through the movement of the
pattern draws reference to the land claims,” Souliere says, “to the trail paths, to the summer grounds, to the
redevelopment and of course the movement of the Mississaugas.” Souliere says the Mississaugas of the New
Credit will take part in the unveiling ceremony for her work, which is scheduled for the beginning of October.
“We’re thinking of having some hand drums and dancers,” Souliere says. “And I’m also thinking of getting
some contemporary First Nations dancers as well because it is a very contemporary art work.” The underpass
connects Corktown Commons Park with the Lower Don Valley Trail in Toronto. Souliere’s project is part of
the StreetARToronto initiative, which was designed to develop, support, promote and increase awareness of
street art and its role in adding beauty and character to neighbourhoods throughout the city.
Continued on page 4
Membership Memorial
McMILLAN, Christopher M.
August 17, 1972 - September 6, 2015
Passed away at the age of 43. He will be missed by many family and friends.
When you were born,
You cried and the world rejoiced.
Live your life so that when you die,
The world cries and you rejoice.
White Elk
Our Condolences to the Family
Page 2 - Niish
MICHIPICOTEN FIRST NATION
SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER Band Business Report
Chief and Council held a regularly scheduled meeting on September 24, a report from Council is posted
on MFN website www.michipicoten.com
The following are reported regularly on our website:
Decisions and Minutes of Council Meetings under Chief and Council News.
Financial Information and audited Financial Reviews
Membership Information Meetings
News Updates and Events
BUSINESS OFFICE & FINANCIAL SERVICES & DEVELOPMENT
Bank accounts are sufficient to meet financial requirements within funding agreements.
BETTER LIVING POLICY
The new benefits year 2015-2016 for the BLP became effective on June 25, 2015 and to date MFN
has distributed over $1.1 million dollars directly to our citizens.
COMMUNITY SERVICES
The Annual Halloween Trail is underway and everyone is welcome to come and be scared and amused.
Language Classes, Sports and Recreation plus community pot luck events have been scheduled
throughout the Fall and Winter. The annual Christmas dinner will be held the week (date to be
announced) before the Holiday Shutdown from December 21, 2015 to January 1, 2016 (scheduled to
reopen Monday, January 4, 2016)
Cont’d next page
Contact Information
Position
RR#1, Site 8, Box 1 - 107 Hiawatha Dr., MFN Ext. Name
WAWA, ON P0S 1K0
215 Chief Joe Buckell
Chief
Phone: 705-856-1993 / TF: 1-888-303-7723 213 Carol Sanders
Band Manager
Fax: 705-856-1642
214 Doreen Boissoneau
Executive Secretary
www.michipicoten.com
MFN Community Trust
RR#1, Site 8, Box 24 - 16 Whitesands Dr., MFN
WAWA, ON P0S 1K0
Phone: 705-856-9559 / TF: 1-888-818-4417
The information/articles submitted to the newsletter do
not necessarily represent the views and opinions of the
Editor or Michipicoten First Nation.
We pledge to do our best to keep you informed in a
timely manner on events of interest to all members.
Submission deadline is the 15th of the month for the
month following. We reserve the right to refuse potentially damaging or inflammatory articles. Send submissions to the Editor or e-mail: [email protected]
E-mail
[email protected]
[email protected]
212
233
210
227
Jessica Webb
Roberta Day
Paula Penno
Lynn Lavigne
Fin. / Bk. / Personnel
Sr. Acct. & Com. Clerk
Admin. Assistant
Ec. Dev. Officer
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
222
217
228
218
Kylie Conway
Chris Buckell
Chris Wilson
Linda Peterson
IT
P.W. Admin.
CSS / FSW
Educ. / Membership
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
CHR
CHPW/ASW
Librarian
Community Service Intern
Operations & Maintenance
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
landreswanson@michipicoten
(705) 856-4825
WTP Operators
Operator in Training
(705) 856-9672
224 Lena Andre
226 Karen Evans
219 Wendy Peterson
229 Lee-Ann Andre-Swanson
Carpentry Shop - Emile Neyland
MFN newsletter Schedule
January / February
March / April
May / June
July / August
WTP - C. Buckell / K. Conway
September / October
November / December
Zach Day-Andre
Page 3 - Niswe
MICHIPICOTEN FIRST NATION
SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER Band Business Report
cont’d
PUBLIC WORKS, OPERATIONS & MAINTENANCE
MFN purchased a new ¾ ton Truck/Plow/Sander to replace old equipment, also purchased this past year a
used skidder to facilitate wood cutting. Community roadways are in need of repair and MFN will seek
outside funding resources for infrastructure through minor capital submissions next year.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT and OTHER PROJECTS
Applications for funding have been submitted under CORDA; Policy); AANDC – Economic Development (partnership funding for rink initiative); AEDF (Capacity Development); We were successful
with the Aboriginal Language Initiative and Ontario Sport and Recreation funding grants.
BOUNDARY CLAIM and other LAND TRANSFERS –
AANDC still has to issue the Order in Council to facilitate the 55.6 acre land transfer. The Boundary
Claim land transfer process is progressing through the permitting stages which hopefully will be concluded soon.
Chi-Miigwetch
Carol Sanders / Band Manager
MICHIPICOTEN ARTIST PAINTING TUNNEL IN TORONTO. By Rick Garrick
cont’d
“The city is paying for it — that is part of their anti-graffiti Toronto project,” Souliere says. “They’ve hired
numerous artists to go throughout the city and turn these boring tunnel areas into art. They will actually have
art tours, so people will be able to (take) tours through all the tunnel and mill projects.” Souliere’s design was
chosen through an Expression of Interest competition for a mural representative of the local, historical
Indigenous perspective. She projected an image of her design onto the underpass for Jason Rouleau, a local
artist who is well known for his street murals, to use as a guideline while painting the 150 square metre
surface. “He’s painted the Rising Phoenix here in Toronto on Wellesley Street,” Souliere says. “He calls
himself a reformed graffiti artist.” Souliere says Rouleau has been enthusiastic about the project. “I’ve given
him the pattern and I’ve been discussing with him how to do it in 3D,” Souliere says. “He has to actually make
that 2D (image) 3D, so I meet with him on site and we go over little technical points on how to wrap it around
or if one part of the design wasn’t included, we discuss how to paint a different part of it to match the outside
of the pattern. Souliere says many passersby along the underpass have expressed interest in how the completed
project will look. “Right now it is quite choppy, with stripes of red and some black going through,” Souliere
says. Souliere is currently working on her PhD in Visual Arts at the Sydney College of the Arts in Australia.
She is an Australian citizen. - See more at: http://anishinabeknews.ca/2015/09/28/michipicoten-artist-paintingtunnel-in-toronto/#sthash.OTHY2ltF.dpuf
MFN DECEASED CITIZENS STILL ON “AANDC” LIST
Should you have a death certificate for one of the following persons please send it in so we may remove them
from our membership list. Thank you for all your help; it is greatly appreciated.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Andre, Ambrose
Beaupre, Frances
Lecuyer, Rodger Eugene
Milne, Eva Louise
Perras, Raymond Arthur
Page 4 - Niiwin
6.
7.
8.
9.
Skouris, Alice Mildred
Souliere, Antoine Alexander
Souliere, Myrtle Alma
St. Germain, Jeanne
MICHIPICOTEN FIRST NATION
ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
Annual Membership Meeting held in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario on September
10, 2015
The Annual Membership Meeting was held at the Delta Waterfront Inn with approximately 50 members in attendance, which was an increase in attendance over
2014. The Agenda included:
Opening Prayer by Councillor William Swanson
Address by Chief Joe Buckell
2014-2015 Annual Audited Financial Statements from April 1, 2014 to March
31, 2015. The presentation was given by BDO Canada, George Trevisan. It was
reported that MFN had another breakeven year with a slight general surplus of
$4,700 and that MFN had met all three indicators of sound financial accounting from
Aboriginal Affairs (the full report will be made available on MFN website). MFN
financial statements can also be found on AANDC’s website in compliance with the
Transparency Act.
2014 Annual Corporate Trust Report. The financial year for the Corporate Trust
is the Calendar year and last year MFN was able to repay a $2,000,000 loan of trust
funds to top up the 4% requirement for revenues to provide ongoing benefits
through the Better Living and Funeral Policies. Sufficient revenues were generated to
meet the 4% requirement in 2014, so that MFN did not need to borrow from the trust
funds. Also the overall Corporate Trust is performing at a 6.53% since 2012 when
the Investment Policy Document was approved by Chief and Council. Year to date
earnings are averaging 3.07% even in an unstable Global Market and the
Investments Counsellor reported that continued volatility would not have a serious
impact on the Trust at this time.
General Information Session included some updates by Chief Joe Buckell
regarding litigations and land encroachments as well as addressing some issues
raised by members in attendance, including representations with Mining Companies,
member communications and entitlements through education and health funding
agreements.
There is a special magic and holiness about women.
They are the bringers of life to the people,
and the teachers of the children.
Page 5 - Naanan
MICHIPICOTEN FIRST NATION
BIRTHDAY GREETINGS
Andre, Martin
Armstrong, Irene C.
Aubin, Joseph Z. C.
Beaupre, Cheyenne M. F.
Black, Chelsey L. I.
Black, Daniel A.
Black, Jacqueline C.
Brown, Nowella F.
Buckell, Pamela A.
Colynuck, Laurin A.
Dumas, Darcy P.
Dupuis, Cruz D. D.
Dupuis, Terry J.
Eisner, Carla D.
Elliott, Robert J.
Finley, Michael W.
Galan, Tracie L.
Gascon, Joseph A. R.
Goddard, Jenny E.
Goodfellow, James R.
Gravelle, Jasmine T. M.
Gravelle, Monique M. L.
Joanisse, Hailey C. Y.
Keen, Kailey M.
Lachance, Andre’ R.
Lachance, Michel
Laliberte, Neiko R. P.
Lapham, Larry S.
Lecuyer, Calvin (JR) Joel
Lecuyer, Craig
Lewis, La-chelle L.
Lewis, Marcel A.
Lewis, Nash R. T.
McCreight, Neiko R. P.
McGie, Michael
McKay, Catherine S. A.
Miller, Melita A.
Moore, Brent R.
Moreau Gauthier, Christopher R.R.
Morin, M’Komii-Noodin R.
Mowbray-McMillan, Ashtyn R.
Mykietyn, Jolanta P.
Neyland, Emile A.
Page 6 - Ningodwaaswi
Nolan, Dorothy A. L.
Pelletier, Johanne M. H.
Penno, Paula J.
Penno, Penny J.
Perreault, Gladys E.
Peterson, G. Linda
Piche, John G. J.
Prud’homme, Tam E.
Raddatz, Tyrel D. J.
Rattray, Florence D.
Robinson, Donald J.
Robinson, Matthew J.
Robinson-Craig, Dorothy J.
Roulette, Natasha R.
Ruttan, Gertrude M.
Serre, Marc R. J.
Shelleau, Eugene J.
Skouris, Caterine M.
Skyum, Susan L.
Spikula, Stella P. A.
Stone, Robert L.
Stone, Sherry L.
Swanson, Brenda L.
Swanson, Ethan R.
Swanson, Kerry A.
Swanson, Lyndsay A.
Tangie, Bruce G. J.
Tangie, Candice E. E.
Tangie, Diane J. S. L.
Tangie, Lucy J.
Tangie, Nicole L. M.
Vachon, Valerie E. Y.
Virta, Morgan I. M.
Virta, Wyatt C.J.
Vye, Evelyn A.
Wardell, Kimberly G.
Andre-Stone, Odessa C. H.
Beaupre, Joseph R. F.
Beaupre-Carroll, Brianna M.
Beauvais, Yvonne
Belleau, Kim A.
Bellerive, Alexander D. L.
Bernard, Nova-Lee R.
Biron, Hailey A.
Biron, Konner K.
Black, Arnold C.
Black, Howard W.
Black, Stephanie A.
Black, Wanita S. E.
Blight, Jorge W.
Boissoneau, Derrick D. E.
Boissoneau, Derrick O.
Boudreau, Linda C.
Buckell, Christopher L.
Caron, Wendy D.
Carriere, Martha R.
Chambette, Crystal L.
Chapman, Josie A.
Chasse’, Dominic J.
Cloutier, Thomas J.
Donney-Fraser, Sandra A.
Dumas, Stephanie M.
Eckland, Valeda L. L.
Edgar, Brent
Elie, Brianna M.
Gascon, William S.
Gideon, Lucy A.
Gillespie, Robert J.
Govier, Colin Y.
Grant, Joel D.
Hall, Derek R.
Harris, Kyle W.
Herder, Cheyanne C.
Higo, Carly E. J.
Higo, Davika S.
Hudie, Jason M.
Humphries, Donald A.
Irvine, Jacklynn L.
Irvine, Jesse J.
Jacques, Jennifer L.
Johnson, Cindy L.
Johnson, Sandra J. L.
Keen, Brandon A. L.
Keen, Chadwick L. J.
Lecuyer, Jeanette
Lecuyer, Rodger E.
Leroux, Leona M.
MICHIPICOTEN FIRST NATION
BIRTHDAY GREETINGS
Levesque, Brian R.
Levesque, Reece L. S.
Lewis, Christopher Larson
Marinich, Joni M.
Marinich, Mallory A.
McCoy, Sandra
Marshall, Raymond D.
McDonald, Patrick M.
McGie, Barbara A.
McKenzie, Douglas E.
McMillan, Harry J.
McMillan, Nathan C.
McQuabbie, Nicholas W.
Mead, Schellin S.
Messer-Levesque, Bryn A. J.
cont’d
Meunier, Frank G.
Milne, Shawna L. C.
Morel, Celeste K.
Morin, William R.
Neyland, Jeffrey B. A.
O’Donnell, Carol A.
Palmer, Tyler J. C.
Penno, Brandan M.
Penno, Dayllin E.
Penno, Marc A.
Quackegesick, Betty A.
Sache, Gary E. W.
Samakeese, Niomi-Lynn
Samakeese, Patrick I.
Saunders, Christina M. R.
Saunders, Shaun G. L.
Shaw, Julie A.
Skouris, Rebecca K.
Souliere, Ashlee S. A.
Stone, Leon M.
Stone, Patrick J. J.
Stone, Sandra
Swanson, Jeordie A. T.
Swanson, William T.
Tangie, Berard J.
Tangie-Adams, Evan R. J.
Waboose, Chelsey D. M.
Williams, Marlene
Wynne, Gary R.
If your name appears on the Birthday List incorrectly, please contact the Membership Clerk for information that is required by Indian Affairs to have this
corrected. If you see a deceased Member’s name on the list, please contact the Membership Office for information that is required by Indian Affairs to have
the name removed for the Membership Listing. Thank You!
OUR MISSING MEMBERSHIP ADDRESS LIST If you know anyone on the missing member address list, please e-mail the Membership
Clerk’s office: [email protected] or call the toll free number: 1-888-303-7723 Ext. #218.
Miigwetch, Linda Peterson, Membership Clerk.
Last Name
First Names
Last Name
First Names
Agawa
Marie Margaret
Lounds
Ronald James - new
Benoit
Edgar Richard
Lum Black
Kayla Marlene
Black
Alicia Georgina
McEwen
Evan Duncan
Black
Lionel Mitchell Gordon
McKenzie
Travis Arthur
Black
Lorrie-Ann Joyce (46yrs)
McQuabbie
Nicholas William
Black
Pamela Ruth (65yrs)
Newcomb
Mark Kevin
Caron
Kenneth Russell David (27yrs) - new
Paul
James Michael
Crane-Black
Amanda Camier
Perras
Raymond Arthur
Darlington
Alice Diana
Pelletier
Katherine
Elie
Joseph Germain Isreal Ferris JR
Perron
Rene Marcel
Goodfellow
Patsy Anne
Quackegesick
Betty Ann
Hollmer
Judy Lorraine - new
Robinson
Donald James
Lapointe
Priscilla Mary Anne
Robinson
Fay Darline Brenda
Lemieux
Daniel Donald
Samakeese
Sharon Lynn
Lewis
Christopher Larson
Vallee
Courtney Georgina
Lounds
Joshua Kaine - new
Note: These names were generated from mail-out returns as ‘moved’ or ‘not at this address’. Please keep your address current.
Page 7 - Niizhwaaswi
MICHIPICOTEN FIRST NATION
MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION UPDATE
Aboriginal Affairs and
Northern Development Canada
From:
Affaires autochtones et
Developpement du Nord Canada
2 PIECES OF IDENTIFICATION
OR
1 PIECE OF IS AND 1 GUARANTOR FORM
ACCEPTABLE ID INCLUDES:
UNACCEPTABLE ID INCLUDES:
· Driver’s License
· Health Card
· Birth Certificate
· Fire arms License
· Provincial ID Card
· Student ID Card
· Nexus Card (counts as 2 pieces)
· Passport (counts as 2 pieces)
· SIN Card
· Photocopy of ID
· Bank Card
· Expired Card (Exception: Status card
can be expired for up to 6 months)
Aboriginal Affairs and
Northern Development Canada
Also
From:
Affaires autochtones et
Developpement du Nord Canada
If you do not have the mandatory ID to obtain a Status card,
Please call:
1-800-567-9604
- Advise the call centre representative that you want to obtain a Temporary
Confirmation of Registration Document (TCRD)
- They will ask you a series of questions to confirm your identity and then mail a Temporary
Confirmation of Registration Document (TCRD) to you.
** This document will state your registration number and can be used in place of a Status
card to access benefits and services.**
“Confirmation of Residency”: Please use the following information to confirm your residency.
Please send in the information by mail, fax,
or e-mail to:
Aboriginal Affairs and
Northern Development Canada
Affaires autochtones et
Developpement du Nord Canada
CONFIRMATION OF RESIDENCY
Date: __________________
Linda Peterson
Education Counsellor /
Indian Registry Administrator
Box 1, Site 8, RR 1, WAWA, ON P0S 1K0
Phone: (705) 856-1993 Ext.218
Fax: (705)856-4923
Toll free: 1-888-303-7723
[email protected]
www.michipicoten.com
Or call with the information.
CHI - MIIGWETCH; your help is greatly appreciated.
Page 8 - Nishwaaswi
I, _________________, ______________________, wish to confirm my residency:
Name
Registration number
 On Reserve (Own Band)
 On Reserve (Other Band)
 Off Reserve
Signature: ____________________________________________
ADDRESS REQUIRED: ________________________________
________________________________
________________________________
Note: 1 form for every member, if completed for a child under 18,
1 parent must sign and supply a copy of identification for parent.
MICHIPICOTEN FIRST NATION
WORDS IN OJIBWAY - THE FOUR SACRED MEDICINES
Ojibway Word
Translation
Ojibway Word
Translation
Giishkaatig(oog)
Cedar
Mashkode-bizhikii-wiingwashk(oon)
Sage
Wiingwashk(oon)
Sweetgrass
Asemaa
Tobacco (not wild)
Trees
Ojibway Word
Translation
Ojibway Word
Translation
Mitig(oog)
Tree(s)
Aagimaak(wag)
Ash
Zhigobaandag(oog)
Balsam
Wiigob(iig)
Basswood
Mina`ig(wag)
Black Spruce
Wiigwaasaatig(oog)
Birch
Giishkaatig(oog)
Cedar
Aniib(ag)
Elm
Googoogiwaandag(oog)
Ground Spruce
Nabagaandag(oog)
Hemlock
Okikaandag(oog)
Jackpine
Ininaatig(oog)
Maple
Makominaatig(oog)
Mountain Ash
Mitigomizh(iig)
Oak
Bwaa`iminaanaatig(oog)
Pincherry
Zhingwaak(wag)
Pine
Azaadii(g)
Poplar
Mina`ig(oog)
Spruce
Mashkiigwaatig(oog)
Tamarack
Aziisigobiminzh(iig)
Willow
LOOK AHEAD
For November:
Every Tuesday {Nov.3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th} we have a Bingo Social at the 10-plex starting at 6:30ish-pm.
Nov. 1st: Daylight saving time ends. Fall back one hour.
Nov. 1st: All Saints Day - observance
Nov. 11th: Remembrance Day / Band Hall closed will re-open for business Nov. 12th at 8:00am
Nov. 29th: First Day of Advent - observance
For December:
Every Tuesday {Dec. 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd, 28th} we have a Bingo Social at the 10-plex starting at 6:30ish-pm.
Dec. 19th - Jan.3th’16: Band Hall closed for Christmas Holidays; will re-open for business Jan. 4 at 8:00am.
Dec. 22nd: Winter Solstice
Dec.24th: Christmas Eve - observance
Dec. 25th: Christmas Day
Dec. 26th: Boxing Day
Dec. 31st: New Year’s Eve
Page 9 - Zhangaswi
MICHIPICOTEN FIRST NATION
M.F.N. ARCHAEOLOGICAL ARTIFACTS RETURN HOME
Boozhoo
It is a journey we will not forget in this life time. It all started when asked as a Council member to travel to
M’Chigeeng First Nation on west Manitoulin Island to represent our community in Ceremony for the
Artifacts. The ceremony was on Aug. 19th/15. These artifacts which were taken from this area, some time ago.
Elders (17 of them) came to ceremony. I felt really awesome sitting there among so much wisdom. Respected
Elder Gordon Waindubence started with a smudge and prayer, while others did pipe ceremony. The time of
sharing was great; mostly Grandmothers and Grandfathers and I said my prayers of gratitude just for being a
small part of this journey. I would like to share how I felt at that moment in time. I listened and my heart grew
sad, happy, emotional most of the time. Then it came to me, the ceremony that we should be doing at the
community when the artifacts come home, is to celebrate. When someone passes on to the spirit world we
celebrate with ceremony for 4 days of the journey. These artifacts have been gone from home for a long time
so let’s celebrate the “Home Coming” for them, in their respected place at Michipicoten First Nation. Deputy
Grand Chief Glen Hare, Gordon and I, talked about when they could deliver the artifacts to the community
and the date was set, Sept. 22/15 for the ceremony at home.
It took a bit of time but plans were underway. I always refuse to hear “can’t be done, not enough time”. Well
everyone had something to do and within 14 days we had it all done and ready to go. What a great team we
had in preparation for this wonderful ceremony, this wonderful journey of our Ancestors.
The day came we had the Sacred Fire started at the end of the beach at our Sacred Area (where the first fires
were lit on the reserve) 4 days before the ceremony. We had members doing meals, fishermen, drummers,
artifacts, set up under the big tent with seating for everyone.
It was still dark out when it finally started. Not all were there at 6 am but slowly it filled up with
approximately 90 people. It was nice to see babies, children, youth, adults, Elders and guests. We had a couple
hours of sharing old stories, lots of good memories of our Ancestors who have gone before us. We had our
sacredness of Eagles flying over during the 4 days also. To sit and listen to what was being shared was an
awesome touching moment for all. Towards the end of the ceremony, I did a blanket ceremony. I shared a bit
about what it meant, and then put a blanket around every person there. This was a gift of being present and
witnessing this ceremony. To be able to share with others about the Artifacts Home Coming Ceremony. The
babies also got one so parents can share the story of this ceremony with them when they get older. Yes each
and every person was wrapped in one.
When this was done everyone was invited to a feast of fresh pickerel, moose meat and all the trimmings. Some
stayed behind to look at what was in the 41 boxes. At this ceremony we were told we had to take the artifacts
out of the plastic bags and wrap them in cloth. So this will be done in the very near future.
Well I am so happy to share a bit of the “Coming Home” Ceremony to the ones who could not be there, well I
hope by reading this may you feel like you were.
APPRECIATION TO ALL COMMUNITY MEMBERS – Without your humbleness, the ceremony could not
have been any better. Sending warm hugs, to each and every one of you. We did it as a community and that
what made it even more special.
Chi-Miigwetch. Councillor Evelyn Stone
For more information contact Chief Joe Buckell, or if you run into Elder Archie Nolan he can fill you in on
how the boxes were discovered in a warehouse.
Page 10 - Midaaswi
MICHIPICOTEN FIRST NATION
SUMMER PROGRAM AT MHS MG
Page 11 - Midaaswi-shi-biizhig
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