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Page 1 from Point Of Contact June 2000

"Publisher: Ardoch Algonquin First Nation

Editor: June McGlynn & Candy McGlynn-Bilow

Date: June 2000

AAFNA Members appear in Kingston Whig Standard. In response to Dale Sutherlands cynical Editorial in the Kingston Whig.

To the editor: Kingston Whig Standard: May 4, 2000

In defense of both my ancestors and my friends of Ardoch Algonquin First Nations (AAFNA) , I must respond to Dale Sutherland's cynical May 3, editorial. The Algonquin Land Claim: "Of course it's about money."

What a shame that even to this day so many people offer up opinions regarding native land claims with very little accurate, first hand knowledge of the subject. This is certainly the case with Mr. Sutherland.

I am a non-status aboriginal person as defined under the constitutional act of Canada. Specifically, I am one-eight Algonquin, a small amount by Mr. Sutherland's standards, I suppose. My native ancestors, namely the Whiteduck and Buckshot families, inhabited the Ardoch  area, thriving up and down the Mississippi River. One of the most colourful of these ancestors was "Captain Joe" Whiteduck. 

Mr. Sutherland claims to have first hand knowledge of AAFNA, yet offers us only a jaded, mean spirited diatribe based upon misfortune and stereotypes. Rest assured, Mr. Sutherland, that AAFNA are not money-grubbing opportunists as you may suggest. As a member of AAFNA, I can personally speak to the generosity, sincerity, and gentle nature of both our members and elders. These people have dedicated their lives to the re-establishment of their native culture, and I am proud of them.

If Mr. Sutherland were to research the native history of this area, he might be surprised by what he finds. Native history in Canada for one is marked by an extraordinary allegiance to crown and country. Captain Joe Whiteduck, for example was chief of the Algonquin auxiliaries in the war of 1812, and was decorated for his contributions in that battle.

In fact, the very land that both AAFNA and the status Algonquins of Pikwakanagan claim ownership of was provided, as a token of appreciation, to the Algonquin people o this region by Royal Proclamation in 1763. Much later, still more Algonquins, together with other proud young Canadians, fought and died in World war 1 and World War II. My great-grandfather, John Curran,    To Page 2 >

Picture credit on the page is titled Native Culture and reads

Traditional dancer Mitchell Shewell of Sharbot Lake, an Ardoch Algonquin. is resplendent in his full dance regalia as he practices for this weekends' powwow in Lake Ontario Park. Dancers will perform both today and tomorrow at the event, which has as its theme Respecting All Nations.  

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Ardoch Algonquin First Nation Banner created by Kevin Wight.