SHEGUIANDAH—It was a perfect summer day as the third annual Sheguiandah Noobini Aasookaanan (Sheguiandah Summer Stories 2023) came to a conclusion on Sunday, August 13. Youth from the program performed short acts written by themselves as parents, sponsors and community members sat in a circle as audience.
Sheguiandah First Nation cultural director Shelba Deer (M’skweh Mshiikenh-kwe—Red Turtle Woman) greeting the performance attendees, providing acknowledgements to the land, the funders, community partners and, particularly, the youth participating in the program.
The storytelling program, inspired by a spirit of passion for theatre and the arts, made learning about Anishinaabe culture fun, noted Ms. Deer, who credited Artistic Director Lisa Hamalainen for much of the program’s success. “Chi-miigwetch to her, she worked really hard,” said Ms. Deer.
Ms. Deer explained that the culture and the efficacy of its many teachings are not limited to the Anishinaabe or even to Indigenous peoples and noted that Ms. Hamalainen has also been gifted with a spirit name, Waabizii-kwe (White Swan Woman). “These ways are not just for Anishinabe,” she said. “They are for everyone.”
That message was reinforced by elder Jake Ago Neh, who delivered an invocation to the grandfather spirits to begin the program.
Master of Ceremonies Jamie Oshkabewisens then took the youth through their performances, as the troupe elicited plenty of laughter and applause from an appreciative audience.
On display during the performances were a collection of art created by youth participants in the program. “This was a multi-discipline program,” explained Ms. Deer. “It was not just theatre and stories.” She explained that Manitowaning artist Lauren Satok worked with the youth to create paintings that expressed their own stories.
Sheguiandah Summer Stories brought together a large and eclectic group of helpers and supporters, including Curtis Kagige (AKA B-Boy Redsky) who taught dance and choreography, Tallie St. Martin created the graphic designs for the performance brochure, Richard Lathewell was the photographer and provided Summer Stories with space on his property and barn for the two week program and also provided the sound equipment and supplies for the program.
Program assistant and cultural helper Keiran Aguonia lent a hand and Terrie Pitfield and Emily Savage brought Sheshegwaning youth to participate in the program.
Lyman Aguonia was the fire keeper and and ooshkaabwis, while community partners included Myengenuk Gozhkeking Endaat, 4elements Living Arts and Sheshegwaning First Nation.
Jake Agoneh led the medicine walk and did teachings with the youth and Marlene Aguonie helped out by making scone for the catering.
A huge chi-miigwetch was offered to the Canada Council for the Arts (a primary funder of the program), as well as to the Ontario Arts Council, Jumblies Theatre, Sheguiandah First Nation, Kevin Mishibinijima, Early Years Land Based Program (Emily Savage), National Native Alcohol and Drug Abuse Program (Terri Pitfield), James Fox, Chef Angel Martinez, Russell Lemaar, Kim Hannaway and Raymond Hamealainen. Thanks was also provided to The Manitoulin Expositor and Moose FM 94.1 for their support.
Youth taking part in Sheguiandah Niibini Aaasookaanan were: Amira Deer-Roy, Arden Burnett, Brooklyn Mikos, Conan Agoneh, Dream Aguonie, Gage Rottier, Hunter Dantouze, Kailyn Dantouze, Kashtyn Paheguish, Keiran Aguonia, Kobe Francis, London Shogga, Migizi Aguonie, Tristan Jacko, Quincy Pahpeguish and Vesta Roy.
