May 1, 2, 5 - 2025
Sticks of wood stand in a teepee formation, over and encircling the flames. They seemed to resemble the leaders and community members gathered on this morning of ceremony standing as if ‘shoulder to shoulder’ to support each other in distributing warmth, light, and guidance to those around the circle. A scene befitting of the theme for this year’s Education Month, “Lighting the Path to Your Future”.
It was a brisk morning. Ghosts of breath billowed inside the arbor -- its windows and doors opened in invitation to all, the illuminating fire within beckoning visitors, and everyone huddled close together and closer to the fire burning warmly. Those present at this early hour were gifted with a spectacular sunrise – layers of lavender, soft blue, and subtle orange stretched across an endless sky. Plenty of birdlife provided melodious song as the day woke up. Rain had been in the forecast but took no place in today’s ceremony. The morning was quiet all around the arbor and frost sparkled on the wood that would fuel the sacred fire. It was a time that supported reflection from those in attendance -- to assemble their thoughts, strength, and intentions for Education month and beyond.
As Wayne Southwind, Cultural Resource Worker, provided opening prayer, drum songs, smudge, and a message he was guided to share, ishkode (fire) burned brightly. The flames flickered and climbed higher towards the opening in the roof, seeking oxygen to grow stronger, just as we too seek oxygen (support, strength, encouragement, knowledge, and teachings) to fan the flame within us. It is a flame eternally present, yearning to be inspired in the ways that will grow our fire within and light our path to show us our way in the world. Wayne, reflecting on the theme of Education month ‘Lighting the Path to Your Future’, shared the following connection:
“Our light may help guide others on their journey, just as their light/their fire illuminates our path in ways our own fire does not. And from the fire and light of each other we can illuminate the path even more – the path of our past, our present, and our future. For it is all three paths that we find ourselves on at various stages of learning and development, and it is from all three paths that we continue to grow and develop on our search for education, understanding, knowledge, balance – our own path that only we walk – but that we are supported on by family, friends, community, leadership, and Creator.”
Wayne also acknowledged the importance of education and the responsibility of educators/leadership to the children; encouraging our children to continue to learn and seek the education they need to fulfill their goals and visions of themselves, and to honour their unique abilities and gifts that will help the community to sustain itself for future generations.
A crane chortled outside the Arbor, and Wayne chuckled at its notification of presence. “It is no mistake that crane came to visit this special ceremony today,” shared Wayne as everyone heard the bird’s distinctive gargling call overhead as it circled the Arbor at the Life-Long Learning Centre. “Crane is the clan that represents Leadership, and it is the leadership of those who are present here today that crane is guiding and supporting during the events and activities happening over this month of Education. Crane brings the message along with his visit, that we are to be leaders for the community and leaders for each other to carry out the responsibilities and education events as they should unfold, and in a good way”.
The medicines (sage, tobacco, sweetgrass, and cedar), and furs were present; the sacred offerings of water and berries were shared amongst attendees. You could feel strength and calmness emanating from the shared fellowship. Wayne performed the sacred pipe ceremony and then laid the pipe on each person’s shoulder as they reflected in quiet prayer and gratitude. Everyone present was offered semaa (tobacco), (taking it with their left hand as tradition notes it is closest to the heart) and to hold the eagle wing as an indicator of who was designated to speak. Each person offered their intentions aloud to the group, and then in private. They offered their semaa to shkode, opening (entering) and closing (exiting) the inner circle from the same place, continuing fluidly in a clockwise direction to completion.
Education Month’s Opening Ceremony was ‘a beautiful, calming, and reflective opportunity’, as commented by those in attendance. Chi miigwech to Wayne for being available on this early morning, and for being ever present to support community members and events with his special gifts and abilities. You are appreciated! A full, hot breakfast of pancakes, bacon, eggs, juice, fruit, and accompaniments was catered and served in the Life-Long Learning Centre following the ceremony. All community members were invited to attend.
The next day, on May 2, Biidaaban held its first ever Powwow at the new school location, celebrating Education month in true Anishinaabe style! Principal Becky Toulouse, during her opening remarks, commented on how wonderful it was to have everyone present - the drummers, dancers, singers, ceremonial grand entrance, flag bearers, and staff - and how moving/emotional the whole experience was. “It is great to have everyone coming together and seeing students circle back and stay in the community to lead others”, she shared, noting the Young Warriors drumming group. She expressed miigwech to all who were involved in bringing the event together; a large-scale powwow for the school community involving collaboration from neighbouring communities. The emcee, Darren (DJ) McGregor, started off with a timeline of events and warmed up the crowd with some ‘comic relief’ announcing the Head Dancers as Mr. Pow and Ms. Wow! (Head Youth female dancer - Aurora Southwind and Head Youth male dancer - Crus Peircey, both magnificently adorned in full regalia.) He then proceeded with general announcements, and relayed information to attendees on the cultural significance of various aspects of the powwow as the event unfolded. This included information on the Grand Entry, the order of procession, Flag Songs and Flag Bearers, Drumming Groups, including their names and where they were from, Regalia Singers and Dancers, and the introduction of honourable Powwow Veteran, Robyn Eshkibok.
Darren helped guests to learn, it is the responsibility of the Veteran to:
- ensure safety and proper process is followed at the Powwow;
- offer protection/intervention should the need arise; and
- monitor that the physical, emotional, spiritual, and mental balance of attendees is occurring throughout the gathering
Years ago, powwows were forbidden, Robyn recounted, so the Veteran was an important role to fill to ensure the safety of the community. “The Veteran song, performed by the Biidaaban School Singers/Drummers, is to honour all who preserve our safety and keep peace’, added the Emcee. “It includes those who defend our land and protect our water resources.”
In terms of the order of procession for opening a Powwow, it was acknowledged that Spirit World/Ancestors enter the powwow circle first, then once a complete circle is made, the next generations join the circular procession, from oldest to youngest. “Our Ancestors lead us, and we follow them,” shared Darren. This is done out of respect and to acknowledge their passing along tradition and knowledge as generations go by. For this inaugural Biidaaban Powwow, Caius Jones was the Flag Bearer and Staff Carrier for Biidaaban Kinoomaagegamik, Neos-Peter Sutton- Stoneypoint was the Flag Bearer for the Every Child Matters flag, and Gregory Wells Jr. was the Flag Bearer for the Sagamok Anishnawbek community flag.
The Drumming Groups included:
- Whistling Wind (Grand Entry Flag Song);
- Biidaaban School Boys Drumming Group (Welcome Song);
- Sagamok Young Warriors; and
- Blackbull Moose Singers (drumming/songs to open the Powwow and support throughout the event).
At one point, all four drumming groups joined together; their drumming, beat, and voices in complimentary unison provided a powerful experience. Everyone present was invited to enter the dancing circle if they chose to, dancing in a clockwise fashion around the drums following the head dancers. After a few rounds, all were encouraged to join hands with their neighbour on either side of themselves, to form an even larger circle as more joined in and danced in celebration of this unity. Four-month-old, Hayes Toulouse, was present for his first ever powwow, wearing a custom ribbon shirt matching his mother’s ribbon skirt. His parents, Chalize and Scott Toulouse, were enjoying the powwow and smiling proudly as they enjoyed their baby son’s response to the drumming and dancing. Hayes was observing everything quite contentedly with his young eyes and danced in the circle to the beating drums in a jolly jumper his parents configured for him and supported him in, each holding a side, while his tiny feet tapped and bounced off the ground in rhythm to the music. Many community members attended the event, including students’ family members, Aunties and Uncles, Grandparents, Elders, younger siblings, babies, staff and regaled performers. Vendors offered treats and hand-made items in the hallways outside of the powwow area, complimenting the traditional feel and inclusions of a community powwow. Games of chance and a canteen operated by the Grade 8 fundraising group were also on hand. The event was a huge success, a wonderful way to initiate Education Month and provided an exciting learning experience for students supported by community and culture.
Each of the Education Department’s Units: Shki Wasse-Aaban Binoojiinh Gamik - Daycare, Biidaaban Kinoomaagegamik, and the Life-Long Learning Centre, offered their own Open Houses on May 5. Community members were invited to take a walk through the facilities, find out about new and exciting offerings happening at the various sites, ask questions, give insights or share suggestions for improving services provided, and to enjoy light refreshments and snacks, as well as swag (hats, lanterns, note pads, pens etc). This year’s event was such a success that, for next year, an evening event is being considered as an opportunity to make the event available to additional Members of Sagamok.
From everyone in the Sagamok Education Department, we express chi miigwech to our community for its constant support! Your input into continuing to improve services, provide our citizens with meaningful educational experiences, and support culturally significant traditions, is greatly appreciated. Thank you to Josephine Toulouse who was the lead for much of the planning and organization of events. We hope you enjoyed many of the programs offered over the course of Education Month and look forward to next year.