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Elders and Family Council

Many thanks to Kimberly Bate  for her  help in writing and
editing Biography Pages content.

Harold Perry is a man of many talents. He grew up in an older world when boys took their guns to school so they could hunt on their way home. He grew up at a time when sharing was a way of life, when what you learned came mostly from your parents, aunts and uncles and grandparents.

Harold’s formal education began in a one room school near Ardoch. At age fourteen he went to Toronto to attend high school but he was denied entrance. This did not prevent him from reaching his goals. He enrolled in night school and when he was done he had a master’s carpenter’s license, a master electrician’s license and a machinist certification. He also began the study of Judo and earned a Black Belt. When Harold returned to Ardoch he established a very successful construction business which has been his professional career.

During Harold’s life he has seen many changes but he has always maintained that Algonquin people and our culture need to be recognized and respected. He has an abiding interest in the history of Aboriginal people. Harold has personally maintained a great amount of Algonquin knowledge and values. He is a canoe maker, hunter, fisherman and trapper. Most people know Harold as the guardian of manomin (wild rice). In 1979 Harold began a struggle with the Province of Ontario over the Aboriginal rights to wild rice that has had lasting consequences and brought a sense of renewal to Algonquin people. In 1995 when Ardoch Algonquin First Nation challenged Ontario restrictions on Algonquin hunting Harold was in the forefront. He was also involved in AAFNA’s challenge of discrimination brought about through the Indian Act identification. The struggles to recognize and restore Aboriginal rights have taken Harold to the Supreme Court of Canada. It has not been an easy road. The way has involved personal sacrifice and disappointments but Harold has never believed that there is any other course but to take back what is Algonquin. His knowledge and strength of character has endeared him with both Aboriginal and non-aboriginal people alike.

Today Harold continues to represent his family at Family Heads Council. He is regarded as the Honourary Chief of AAFNA and he continues to speak his mind and be heard. Harold lives in Ardoch on the point of land his family has occupied since time immemorial. He shares his life and home with his partner Elsie. Harold’s daughter, Mona, has a cottage nearby. He does his best to concentrate his energy on hunting, fishing and playing guitar but the community (particularly the younger leaders) continues to rely on him for guidance.

Undertaking   Pdf

Newly appointed Co-chief Paula Sherman is a mother of five children and grandmother of three. She currently teaches in the Native Studies Department at Trent University in Peterborough, Ontario. Paula will work with the co-chief Bob Lovelace, Elders, Family Heads Council and community members to achieve the goals and initiatives set out by the Family Heads Council and community at large. 

Paula is devoted to working both within the community and through her academic position at Trent to further the autonomy and sovereignty of Algonquin and other Indigenous peoples. As part of this responsibility Paula works to educate Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples on the past and present relationships between settler countries such as Canada and the United States and Indigenous peoples. 

It is her hope that through educational publications, programming, activities and information sessions, non-Indigenous peoples will begin to question North American history as they currently understand it, and to ultimately recognize the ways in which that history has covered up the true nature of Canada's relations with Algonquin and other Indigenous peoples. It is only in the recognition of that past relationship that we can move forward as peoples to create a new relationship based upon the spirit and intent of the original agreements and treaties.

Bob Lovelace settled on land near Ardoch in 1979. He was born into a line of Tslagi Indians through his great grandparents Mungle, grandfather, and mother, a heritage he honours. Bob attended cultural school as a child, joined AIM for several years while at University, and in Fall  1979 joined our Honourary Chief Harold Perry to research, negotiate, and then launch an uncompromising legal defence of the wild rice stands near Ardoch. He has stood strong with many allies and friends in this "Rice War."
 
For nearly 25 years Bob has remained a steadfast and determined representative for the Algonquin communities of Ardoch, Sharbot Lake and many others, seeking to invigorate a sense of dignity and freedom in all Algonquin Peoples. 
 
After 13 years in partnership with Harold Perry and others to preserve, honour and legally fight for Algonquin rights, Bob was again encouraged to enter into a long-standing right and privilege extended to those who have earned their place among the Algonquins. Harold Perry asked that Bob become an Adopted Member of the Algonquin Nation.  Thus in 1992 at a gathering of more than fifty people, Bob Lovelace was in Ceremony formally adopted as an Algonquin.  

Adoption of those deserving few is an Algonquin Right and Tradition, and is binding and forever.  An adopted Algonquin commits to a life of loyalty and service to his adopted Peoples, as directed by the Family Heads Council and the Elders. Bob has worked diligently to fulfill his obligation  and his promise. He has productively served the Algonquin People in many facets of life including politically, in court, as a university professor, as acting Chief, currently as Co-Chief, and by living out tradition and ceremony in his daily life. Bob is a teacher to those wishing to learn more about tradition and ceremony. He is in addition an eloquent spokesman for Native rights, utilizing both English and Algonquin languages.
 
Bob has four unique and spirited children at home, Michael, Victoria, Skye, and River as well as three older children Joshua, Lyann and Leslie.  Bob majored in Philosophy, holds a degree in Early Childhood Education, and has a Master license in Horticulture.  He has been known to say he will serve and defend the Algonquin Nation, as a member of its People, for the rest of his days.

Randy Cota  is well known to many of us, as he has lived in the heart of Algonquin territory throughout his life.. 

Randy is a direct descendant of an extended Cote family, who resided in the area of Oka (Lake of Two Mountains) and near Petite Nation after 1714, and then took up permanent residence in Ontario when John Baptiste Oliver Cote left Oka to purchase land in what is now Bedford Township. Known as "Big Oliver" he had a son "Little Oliver" who bought land through which the Tay River flowed. He and his wife raised nine children in the area before he died in 1922. These families, related families, and their descendants form a history of our People and the culture that Randy Cota is dedicated to preserve.

Randy has actively served our Nation with dedication and diligence for decades. He brings experience, skill and strong value to Aboriginal politics, and has done so since before the initial Algonquin land claim some twelve years ago. 

Randy was appointed Co-Chief of the First Nation in March 2003 and served until early 2006. He brings  strong emphasis on the importance of unity and loyalty to the rich Ardoch history and cultural ways. He has long carried with him the teachings of our Nations Elders. 

Randy is a certified Ontario Fur Managers Trapper instructor, and has a business called Victoria Furs  that buys furs from Algonquin and non-Algonquin trappers from within Algonquin territory. They also make fur hats, mitts, gloves, ear muffs and sell fur coats.

Randy cares deeply about his First Nation community. He has shown himself to be capable of making a difference, and he is sustained by the honor of the support of the Ardoch Algonquin First Nation. 

Clayton Mitchell was born in the Matheson area and left at an early age to live in Southern Ontario.

Retiring from the Toronto Police Force in 2000 having completed more than 31 years service, he was a recipient of two Exemplary Service Medals and 43 commendations. He has had a hands-on commitment to the Native community since the early 1970’s and has volunteered his services as a Director on many Boards of charitable native organizations. A father of two and proud grandfather of four, Clayton has worked with Native youth in a bid to make an investment in the strengthening of the nation for future generations.

Clayton has had sound teaching in the Native ways and has subsequently been recognized as a Traditional Teacher and also as an Elder in his home community.

  Dale Cota was born in the Harrowsmith area and lived in the Kingston area before moving to    Bowmanville in 1985 where he continues to reside.

 

Candy a decendant of Cecilia Whiteduck, who resided in the Ardoch area, Cecilia was the daughter of Mary Buckshot and Joseph Whiteduck. For 11 years she served as our Registrar, responsible to each member for information and contacts, as well as performing her responsibilities as Head of Family. Candy lives in Kingston with her husband Brian and their two children Samantha and Jordon who are very active in their Algonquin Traditions and rights of Aboriginal people.
    

Mitchell Shewell has long  belonged to the Ardoch Algonquin First Nation. We, and other bands know  him as a supporter and participant in various roles at the Silver Lake Powwow . Mitchell was the Silver Lake Head Male Traditional Dancer for the last three years. Mitchell lives in Sharbot Lake with Alison and their children, Lee age 21, Chelsea age 17, Devon age 15, and Cory age 9.  On Dec 17,  Mitchell's oldest daughter Kiley gave birth to Kiera on Dec 17th, making Mitchell a grandfather for the first time. Let's not forget Bear, the biggest dog in Sharbot Lake. Mitchell is a craftsman of both traditional and unique artistic pieces, as well as a dedicated worker at the Katarokwi Native Friendship Centre in Kingston. He is the Aboriginal Healing Wellness Coordinator.  In both his art and his work he is dedicated to the continuing discovery of the values of our heritage, and the principles of our Elders. Stop by the first house on Robert Street in Sharbot Lake any time for coffee or tea.

Art Cota Sr. Art is a long time member and elder of the Ardoch First Nation. He and his
wife Doreen have owned the family business Cota Steel for 40 years.

Art and Doreen have 5 children that are active in the Algonquin community.
Art is an avid hunter, trapper and fisherman. Doreen is the live wire and
keeps active in supporting Art as a Head of Family.

With the largest Family under the Ardoch Heads of Family, Art has a large
job in keeping everyone up to date and attending the meetings.  Art is known
for working in the rebar business and coaching fastball with the youth and
his family.

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