ZHIIBAAHAASING—The 21st annual Zhiibaahaasing First Nation Powwow will no doubt go down in the history books as one the best held in the community, with fantastic weather, large crowds in attendance and great participation.
The weekend powwow allowed the community to say a special thank you to two of its community workers, with special ceremonies involving water plant manager Gary Quackenbush, who is retiring, and Christine Sagon-Bigras for her 27 years of service as band manager.
“I would like to thank all of you very much for coming out here this weekend for our powwow,” stated Zhiibaahaasing Chief Irene Kells. “The grand entry was beautiful.”
“I would like to thank the powwow organizing committee and the summer students for helping us out so much,” said Chief Kells, “especially our women guiders, Bobbie Sue Kells and Cyrstal Sagon, and everyone else who helped out. Welcome to Zhiibaahaasing and have a great day.”
One of the guests on hand for the powwow was Patrick Madahbee, grand council chief of the Anishinabek Nation. “I bring greetings from the 41 First Nations within the Anishinabek Nation, from Fort William to the Ottawa Valley to the Kawarthas on the Great Lakes,” he said.
Grand Council Chief Madahbee said, “it has been a busy summer. A week ago a major education self-government agreement was reached, which brings the control of education back to First Nations. Zhiibaahaasing was one of the communities involved. Incredibly, in the community here in Zhiibaahaasing, your residents voted 100 percent in favour of the agreement for the future of our children,” said Grand Council Chief Madahbee. “There was a total 100 percent commitment to this agreement and I would like to congratulate Zhiibaahaasing on this.”
“This powwow is an event I always look forward to every year,” said Grand Council Chief Madahbee. “We are here today to celebrate this beautiful day and event.”
Master of ceremonies for the powwow was Robert Sagasagijig. The head male dancer was Austin Antoine, with the head female dancer being Bonnie Akiwenzie-Fox. Head youth dancers included Jade Prentice and David Cyr. The head veteran was Bill Antoine, while the host drum was Aiki Nimiki, co-host drum was Good Tyme Ojibway. The Wikemikong Drum Committee was invited and the Spirit Bear Singers and the Chi-Geezis guest drums were also participants in the powwow.
After the grand entrance and several dances, a special seven blanket honour ceremony was held for both Gary Quackenbush and Christine Sagon Bigras.
