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Editorial provided by Carol Anne Bate. All pictures by Dave Bate.
2004 turned out to be a very busy and successful year for the Ardoch Algonquin First Nation. We have provided a calendar for a wrap up of community activities in 2004 as well as some coming events for 2005 ; a little political and community information.
Where the planning begins
Family Heads Council Meetings
At the Yard Sale, near Sharbot Lake last May, every hand was busy. The Drapeau family provided excellent space for us on # 38 Hwy, south of Sharbot Lake. The money earned that day was seed money for the planned Wild Rice Victory Celebration. Those of you who donated, set up, sold, or purchased items, will remember it was a successful fund raiser for us.
The sale is planned this year for May 21st.
Please set aside articles to contribute to the sale. Within two or three weeks of the sale, we will have a drop off points for those who have articles, but are unable to be there for the sale. Join us for an hour, a few hours, come to buy, or come by to say hello.
July: Ardoch Members spent three days at the Perth Festival, this year.
We were pleased to be busy selling Ardoch Shirts, Raffle tickets, and talking to many people attending the Fair. The tipi was put up, Paula Sherman and Robert Lovelace gave talks about the prairie home’s construction and design, showing people the details and traditions of its design and ventilation, as well as giving talks and answering questions about the history of Algonquins in the Ottawa Valley River Shed.
The tipi served to attract the attention of people coming to the three- day annual fair, and at night served to store everything neatly away. The Woman’s Drum sang, also attracting visitors to our site.
The Perry Canoe was on display, and many raffle tickets sold. Our relationship with the Perth Festival continues to be a good one. Plan to join us next July.
The Perry Canoe
Stewart Festival
A photo taken two years ago, of Robert Lovelace and
Paula Sherman, speaking there as part of their many hours of work to protect and
conserve the water of the Tay River from commercial misuse and pollution.
August: Wild Rice Victory Celebration at Ardoch
On August 21, we saw the results of our year long efforts. The Rice Wars of 25 years ago were commemorated with a plaque beside Ardoch Road, near the bridge, in Ardoch.
Neil and Harold Perry
The OPP Drum opened the dedication
The gathering moved to Plevna Hall and grounds. Attendance was estimated at near 1000 people. A wonderful attendance caused all of us, the volunteer cooks, the children’s games, and the Powwow to be very busy all the way from the beginning of the fiddle music to the dance in the evening. If you were there, Migwetch
Jasmine Sherman Shawl Dancing
Our Website www.aafna.ca
The work of our web page is done by member Paul Wentworth, a volunteer, with a little help now and then from a few others. The annual fee for the web page is $120.48. For the year of 2004 one family made a dedicated donation to sponsor the web page for the year. Perhaps you can consider a donation dedicated to maintain the web page in part or whole for this year. A donation can be made for any reason, and the funds will be reserved for the purpose written on your cheque, or in a note accompanying it.
A new look for our Osprey
This line drawing has appeared on all communications for many years.
This clip is from an old issue of Point of Contact
The drawing was changed, and is used on our web page, as well as on a sign made in August. This sign was made and donated by Roger McMunn, installed on the day of the Wild Rice Celebration, and now identifies our Band office at Ardoch.
The shield, or Mandela, is leather, stretched over a circle of bent cedar wood, and painted with the symbols that honour the four directions.
The Osprey, also known as the Fishhawk, hunts along the Mississippi in Ardoch. You will often see them near the falls by the bridge, looking for fish in the rapids. He is a suitable symbol for Ardoch, as he is the only Hawk who can bring food out of water, in the same way, the Wild Rice of Mudd Lake, is food out of water.
This new symbol below is a picture of an Osprey, and a Mandela created by Kevin Wight.
The above symbol was combined and enhanced on computer by Dave Bate. It was displayed in the hall at the August 21 celebration. It will appear on correspondence, the newsletter “ Point of Contact”, and all other documentation. As we make the change over, there will still be times when you see any one of the three versions of our symbol.
October: On October 30th, The Aboriginal Child Care center at Sharbot Lake opened.
Marcie Webster, AAFNA member, invited the three local Bands to participate in the opening. Faye Hollywood attended and gave the opening prayer. Robert Lovelace and Stephanie Lovelace attended with their children. Robert spoke a greeting and prayer in Algonquin. Stephanie and the women’s drum sang for the children, the Anishinabe welcome song, and others.
Story teller Jane Chartrand, arrived carrying dozens of stuffed animals, each with their own voice boxes. here, with her Mother sitting behind her, delighted all with a story. She illustrated her words with stuffed toys, many of which spoke their own voices. Here she holds the Eagle, who, when his voice is activated, said “Protect the Earth”.
from Chief Randy Cota. Her immediate response was “Books”, I’ll buy books!
AAFNA hopes to be able to give the Aboriginal Child Care Center our continued support in her work with
our children.
Paula
Sherman, Family Head, sang with the Woman’s Drum at the 3 day International
Aboriginal Celebration, Trent University, Peterborough, ON. On Nov
17th ,18th , and 19th 2004
These are glimpses of our social and cultural year together, and only a few of those who worked so hard together are shown. We hope all members were able to attend and celebrate with us during this new year. Migwetch.. Thank you to all.
The Political Landscape.. Negotiations and the Land Claim.
The people at Ardoch Algonquin First Nation WILL NOT be participating in the ANR process, due to what we believe are the corrupt actions of a few and the ignorance of others. At this time we feel strongly that we cannot participate for the following reasons.
1) The ANTC/ ANND are the same. This at worst is illegal activity and at best is highly suspect ethically.
2) We believe Mr. Potts has no consideration for Cultural and Historic ways of the Algonquin people and further more feels it's a race to the finish line to get a claim signed. We have been under suppression for so long we still look at the white Father for approval and acceptance.
3) We have consultation meetings and nothing that is said is listened to, but instead is ignored.
4) The Quebec bands let alone the off reserve communities are not involved in the claim and in turn are enforcing colonialism further by dividing our nation and acknowledging western ideas that the Ottawa River is a boundary/boarder and in fact it's the heart of our territory.
I could continue for ever, but the approach is one of begging not true negotiations.
We feel that we need to be strong. To this we must cause the Government of the day to be accountable and stop the royalties of land use, mining, logging etc. being forfeited to the Crown. This would begin consultations to receive part of this vast amount of funds annually. This would allow us to hire individuals that would understand our plight and would work with us not dictate our destiny under an alarm clock. This is in fact what in the White Fathers words is running out.
I believe along with our strong council and membership of more than 600 people that we cannot sell out.
Make no mistake, we want a claim, but not under this regime and set up.
Migwetch,
Chief Randy Cota
Ardoch Algonquin First Nation
Heads of Family Council
Coming
Events 2005
Sat 23rd April, Wild Game Dinner
An evening of entertainment, fiddle music, and a wild game dinner.
We are putting together a cookbook of wild game recipes. Please send recipes to AAFNA@ Kingston.net.
Sat.
21st May Giant
Yard Sale
The same Fund Raiser as last year…only better!
Powwow 2005 Will be held on Sep 3rd and 4th, 2005.
Migwetch
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Ardoch Algonquin First Nation Banner created by Kevin Wight.