What are the folks at Duff, Puslinch, Ont., doing in a remote reserve nearly 600 kms. north of Thunder Bay, Ont.?
Guelph, ON – Organized by the North-South Partnership for Children (Mamow Sha-way-gi-kay-win), nine people from Kitchener, Guelph and Puslinch Township recently traveled to the remote fly in community of Webequie First Nation.
The purpose of the trip was to begin to develop a relationship between a First Nation community in the remote north and volunteers in the south. The nine people from Guelph and Puslinch Township were invited by Chief Scott Jacob through the North-South Partnership. They arrived in Webequie on August 12 and returned home on August 19.
Webequie is a traditional Ojibway First Nation located in remote northwestern Ontario in Nishnawbe Aski territory and 540 kilometers north of Thunder Bay. Accessible only by air, the current population is approximately 700, of whom 66% are under the age of 35.
During the week the nine hosted a BBQ and a feast for the community and also built nine landings and steps and one 60 foot wheel chair ramp for Elders in the community who were having difficulty accessing their homes. The landings and steps were designed by a local carpenter in Webequie.
Funds for the building materials, the BBQ and the feast were raised by the people of Puslinch Township through Duff’s Presbyterian Church, the Presbyterian Church in Canada, and the Heaman Family Foundation. In addition, the nine people who went paid for their own way in terms of travel and meals. Accommodations were provided by the community.
Highlights of the trip include:
* Working together with some of the children of the community, most notably ten year old Devin who was keen to learn and work alongside us.
* The beginnings of a relationship with some of the leaders in the community – people that were all so accommodating and instrumental to the trip’s success.
* The beginnings of a relationship with some of the Elders in the community – they were so appreciative of the work we were doing.
* A fishing trip organized by one of the local guides on the Winisk river – we caught 9 pickerel and about as many northern pike.
* Cultural learning – we are just beginning to get to know each other. It will take time for a strong relationship to be established – but we have started.
The most common question we were asked, especially towards the end of the week was “Are you coming back?” The second question was “When are you coming back?”
We are already in conversations with Chief Scott through the North-South Partnership for Children to explore further opportunities that will enable this fledging relationship to grow. Possibilities include:
* Return trips to Webequie with people from Puslinch Township and Guelph
* Hosting a group from Webequie here in Puslinch Township and / or Guelph
* Communication via ‘e-mail’
As a group we are committed to learning more about Canada’s Aboriginal people through our relationship with the people of Webequie and to share this new knowledge with non Aboriginal Canadians.
The people of Webequie First Nation have many challenges ahead of them. Unemployment is about 85%. Depression and suicide rates are high. We talked to one young man who told us that his friends, the ones he grew up with, were ‘up in the sky somewhere’.
But there is good news. Webequie is on a clear path of rebuilding and growth. We witnessed many strengths within the community including their success in 2001 when Webequie First Nation received official reserve status by Order-in-Council – a process that took many years and had substantial costs to the community both emotionally and financially. During our stay, the Councilors also told us of a joint venture they were working on with a drilling company – bringing with it the prospects of increased revenue and job creation.
There was much learned from our new friends in Webequie.
* Generosity and giving – Two local men took a volunteer fishing with them. Together, they caught 11 pickerel. When they returned they said to him – “there are nine of you – you should take the fish.”
* Children are a community concern – Parents are involved in the raising of children, so are grandparents, so are uncles and aunts, so are great uncles and great aunts. Children are loved and cared for. There is a great concern for the children. Which brings us full circle: North South Partnership for Children is a loose translation of ‘Mamow Sha-way-gi-kay-win’ which means altogether giving to one another, altogether caring for one another, altogether without any expectation of return, all for the sake of the children.
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For more information about the North-South Partnership for Children: Mamow-Sha-way-gi-kay-win:
Alana Kapell
Southern Coordinator
Office: 905 944 7087
Cell. : 416 986 6772
akapell@northsouthpartnership.com
Mamow Sha-way-gi-kay-win: The North-South Partnership for Children is a developing partnership that represents the coming together of First Nation Chiefs, Elders, youth and community members living in remote communities in northwestern Ontario and individuals and voluntary organizations based in southern Ontario.
In recognition of the desperate needs of children, youth and families in remote First Nation communities, our collective goal is to learn from one another and to support the dreams and efforts of remote northern First Nation communities for their children.
www.northsouthpartnership.com
