MANITOWANING—The third annual Debajehmujig Storytellers Volunteer Appreciation Dinner and performances celebrating the important work of volunteers took place earlier this month and followed a magical/mystical theme—with magic defined as the power to influence the course of events and mystical as “obtaining Unity” or absorption.
“Magic and mystic are the unknown, the unseen and balance our holistic being of knowing and seeing,” noted Debajehmujig Executive Director Lynda Trudeau. “Debajehmujig would not be possible without the wonderful gift of people and the use of hand, heads, spirits, and hearts. G’chi miigwech.”
“This evening is about you,” Ms. Trudeau admonished the attendees. “Look around and witness who are the people in the room. Faces are familiar, some look like they’re staff of Debajehmujig, but they too volunteer! Some look like politicians, but even that takes time, and some look young, or mature. However, faces you see in our communities are the unsung heroes of action and change—familiar faces, friends!”
“Debajehmujig is in the midst of change,” continued Ms. Trudeau, “maturing and developing, innovating, and delivering. Our mission is dedicated to sharing and educating about Anishinaabe language, culture, and heritage through original creative expression with Anishnaabe and non-Anishinaabe people.”
Ms. Trudeau noted that such commitment takes many forms at Debajehmujig, including community outreach and education, the creation of new works, professional training, production, exhibition and annual pillar events.
“It about connecting through ancestral knowledge, traditional stories, and storytelling—traditional teachings, ceremony, and protocol builds bridges of understanding, acceptance, and connection across cultures and generations. At Debajehmujig, we create original work based on an Anishinaabe worldview, and build bridges, between cultures, generations, and territories. We support the development of Anishinaabe artists in remote, rural areas as well as cities.”
The evening included a musical performance by Veronica Johnny, a meal prepared by Prepped Manitoulin, and special gifts for the volunteers of the year—mitts made by Winnifred Peltier, as well as volunteer gifts of a Daphne Odjig blanket.
Hovering over the heads of the diners was a large green dragon, an original creation designed by Ashley Manitowabi and constructed by the Debaj team of students. Attendees were advised to start their journey at the buffet under the tail of the dragon—elders were served by staff members.
Multi-disciplinary artist Veronica Johnny, an Indigi-Queer, Cree/Dene, two-spirit woman, arts educator, producer and female entrepreneur and a member of the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation who presently lives in Ontario provided a high-energy performance rock and roll group The Johnnys are known for—cheeky lyrics, anthemic choruses focussed on fun, environment, social and political change.
Following dinner, Ms. Trudeau noted “the reason we are here is to acknowledge the contribution of volunteers. We have arranged for gifts through Oscardo for blankets of Daphne Odjig’s ‘Some Watched the Sunset.’
“The Volunteer Appreciation planning team chose a blanket so that you can always find warmth, comfort and protection,” she noted, adding, “an accumulation of 2 years of volunteerism is in the house.”
Ms. Trudeau observed that each of the gifts presented included a note featuring ‘The Preservation of Humanity,’ “which we have adopted as our logo. With the preservation of Humanity, we note the teaching of taking care of each other, just like you and many other volunteers over the year, have helped take care of Debajehmujig. There is also a reminder of care taking from everything within the earth to the sky. Additionally, we see the colours of purple, indigo, blue, green, black and white, which represent compassion, patience, truth and trust, as well as acknowledge our collective ancestors and the future. We are also reminded by the colours—blue signifies truth, green signifies respect, and brown signifies creation—so tonight, “we respectfully honour the truth of creation.”
Long serving board member Marjorie Trudeau presented Robert Pheasant with the prestigious Marjorie Trudeau award for his efforts as a long-serving volunteer, for his storytelling and knowledge keeping, as well as being a language resource. Mr. Pheasant shared his own deeply personal story which inspired the Debaj production ‘Seven Stones’ and ‘A Pipe Carrier’s Journey.’ As a knowledge keeper, Mr. Pheasant has also been generous in sharing in teachings at the Odawa Midewin fasting grounds with Friday Creeations for land-based teachings.
Cassandra Odjig presented Dawn Jacko with the Cassandra Odjig award for her volunteer work in productions such as a Table Lamp Concert and the tribute to the Rolling Stones which featured Elijah Manitowabi and the Backburners, as well as a table lamp concert with Chuck Copenance.
The list of volunteers honoured at the event is impressive, they include: Amanda Eshkibok (6 Foot Festival), Bonita George (board of directors), Bruce Naokwegijig (staff), Cassandra Odjig Usher (performance), Chantal FIlion (6 Foot Festival and Table Lamp Concert), Charity Shigwadja (staff), Cheryl Peltier (board of directors), Courtnee Osawabine (Indigenous Market and 2022/2023 Exhibition), Crystal Flamand (Table Lamp Concert), Daniel Mejaki (staff). David Osawabine (staff), Dawn Jacko (6 Foot Festival and Table Lamp Concert), Dawn Wemigwans (flyer distribution), Delmer Fields (Good Food Box), Dolly Peltier (Indigenous Market), Donna Debassige (for her wise council), Doris Peltier (cultural administration), Dustin Trudeau (student), Frances Mandamin (community leadership—WUT/LAC), Gail Assiniwe (Indigenous Market), Gertie Manitowabi, (board of directors), Gladys Wakegijig (community leadership—WUT/LAC), Irvin Oshkabewisens (community leadership WUT/LAC), Isadore Trudeau (staff), Janice Jacko (Table Lamp Concert), Jeannette Corbiere Laval (board of directors), Joahnna Berti (staff), John Osawabine (cedar harvest for art installation), Jonas Pheasant (6 Foot Festival), Joseph Wabegijig (community leadership WUT/LAC), June Manitowabi (arts/culture/language leadership), Karen Shawanda (board of directors), Kaylee Furstenau (6 Foot Festival), Keir Tabachak (ceremonial grounds), Kelsey Dowdall (Indigenous Market), Kerry Assiniwe (2023 Volunteer Appreciation Event), Kimberly Swindt (6 Foot Festival), Lanell Pheasant (Table Lamp Concert), Laurent Satok (Landmarks Exhibition installation), Leslie Fields (Good Food Box), Liam Campell (cultural teachings and land-based knowledge), Linda Teague (6 Foot Festival), Lorraine Fox (community leadership WUT/LAC), Lyle Peltier (community leadership WUT/LAC), Lynda Trudeau (staff), Manitoulin Expositor (reporting), Marcia Trudeau Bomberry (community leadership WUT/LAC), Marilyn Jacko (board of directors), Marjorie Trudeau (board of directors, wise council and Indigneous Market), Mary Ann Corbiere (language translation), Mary Pheasant (art work Volunteer Appreciation Event 2023), Matthew Pheasant (board of directors), Michelle Roy (staff), Natalie Neganigijig (Art, Culture and Language committee), Ogimaa Rachael Manitowabi (community leadership WUT/LAC), Olivia Wemigwans (Art, Culture and Language Committee), Patricia Abitong (board of directors), Patrick Fox (board of directors), Peggy Osawanimiki (Table Lamp Concert), Phyllis Williams (Art, Culture and Language Committee), Quinten Kaboni (student), Ralph Gonawabi (community leadership WUT/LAC), Richard Ashley Manitowabi (staff), Rick Krasowski (Table Lamp Concert), Richard Mauti (technical), Robert Pheasant (ceremonial, storytelling and reciprocal Land-based teachings, Art Streams and Medicinal Walk, Tree Planting), Samual Fustenau (6 Foot Festival), Shane Cooper (community leadership WUT/LAC), Sheena Wassegijig (student graduation), Sonya Jacko Cywink (2023 Volunteer Appreciation Event), Spencer Rice (Art Streams and Medicinal Walk, Tree Planting), Stephen McPhail (6 Foot Festival and storytelling), Tabitha Peltier (drumming and singing), Tara Dowdall (Indigenous Market), Terrence Jacko Table (Lamp Concert and Six Foot Festival) Terri Recollet (6 Foot Festival), Tim Ominika (community leadership WUT/LAC), Trinity Jacko (Table Lamp Concert and 6 Foot Festival) Tyler Pangowish (student), Vickie Enosse (board of directors) and Virginia Peltier (Indigenous Market).
Dancer, artist, filmmaker and storyteller Christine Friday provided a storytelling-through-dance performance following dinner and was provided with a gift of a talking stick and textile art by Robert Pheasant that drew enthusiastic applause from all present.
Ms. Trudeau also provided an acknowledgement of Mr. Pheasant for the artistry of his petroglyph carvings that can be seen at the Creation Centre doorways.
As part of her closing remarks, Ms. Trudeau assured that “Debajehmujig is always open for volunteers, friends, and supporters.”
