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Building Bridges from a Mnjikaning Fish Fence Circle Perspective
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Parks Canada and its Aboriginal Affairs Advisor for Ontario, Sheryl
Smith, supplied partial funding for the honoraria given to those participating
in the ceremony, dancing and singing and for the gift of the drum.
The drum was handcrafted by Brenda Miller, one of the “Thunder
Women” and was presented to Mr. Bartleman by Sue Anderson-Kelly,
a Director of the MFFC and member of the Ontario Archaeology Society,
a member of the Mnjikaning First Nation, and one of the “Thunder
Women” (Figure 7). |
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Figure 7: Sue Anderson-Kelly presents a Hand Drum to Lieutenant Governor Hon. James Bartleman (Photo courtesy MFFC). |
Figure 8: Hon. James Bartleman with Chief Sharon Stinson-Henry of the Chippewas of Mnjikaning First Nation (Photo courtesy of MFFC). |
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The recently re-elected
Mnjikaning Chief, Sharon Stinson-Henry, brought her welcome from the
First Nation (Figure 8). Remarks were also made both by the Warden
of Simcoe County, Dr. Tom Garry (who is also the Mayor of
neighbouring
Ramara Township) and by the M.P.P., Garfield Dunlop (Figure 9). All
complimented the MFFC for work well done. The SCHA provided major
funding for the day, contributed a display, and organized the sale
of the BBQ tickets. People enjoyed the beautiful setting as they ate,
viewed the video, toured the site and visited with one another. Others
purchased items from the native crafts that had been provided by the
Orillia Native Women's Centre, or toured exhibits set up by the MFFC
and the Orillia Museum of Art and History. |
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Figure 9: MPP Garfield Dunlop (Photo courtesy
MFFC) |
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Figure
10: Lieutenant Governor posing in kitchen of Stephen Leacock
Museum (Photo courtesy of MFFC). |
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Before he and his entourage departed,
the Lieutenant Governor posed in the kitchen of the Stephen
Leacock Museum where his grandmother had been the cook (Figure
10). In another room, he assumed the pose of Stephen Leacock
himself, as he imagined his aunts in their jobs as Leacock's
maids. An excellent read is James Bartleman's recently published
memoirs entitled “OUT OF MUSKOKA” published
by Penumbra Press in Canada (ISBN 1-894131-31-2). All proceeds
from the book will go to the Aboriginal Achievement Foundation
that provides educational opportunities and scholarships
for native youth.
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