MANITOWANING—On any given week, the incomparable Ashley Manitowabi might be found onstage as part of the Debajehmujig Storyteller’s troupe, peering through the lens of a camera for his online channel, or setting up sound systems for charity events—oh, and he is a master of the art of ledger main, with a magic act that enthrals children and adults alike.
Mr. Manitowabi’s home community of Wiikwemkoong benefits from his strong community spirit, and each year he assists with the hockey banquet—while the whole Island community is served by his work with Local Food Manitoulin. “We will be starting the cookie campaign at Tim Hortons (in Little Current) on April 28,” he notes.
As a land-based artist, it is a natural progression in his volunteer work to roll up his sleeves and get his hands dirty, literally, helping with the Amikook Community Garden.
He can be found along Manitoulin’s roadsides during the annual cleanup efforts. The talented thespian can also be found assisting with Alcoholics Anonymous and in the volunteer treatment programs offered in his community.
The talented videographer can often be found at special events, setting up sound systems or livestreams to extend the event’s reach online.
When asked as to why Mr. Manitowabi offers his volunteer services to his community, he seems genuinely puzzled by the question. “People ask,” he said, noting that they seem to like his efforts. “After a while, it just became a normal part of my life.”
Mr. Manitowabi said that he has seen a disturbing drop in the number of volunteers over the past decade. “I see a low turnout of volunteers,” he said, adding that drop comes when the need has never been greater.
Volunteerism is often the result of family tradition, with community service being one of those things that children learn from observation.
“My mother used to volunteer at community events,” he said. “I started volunteering at Debaj when I was just a kid back in the ‘90s, before I got a job there.”
Volunteerism can have some pretty serious benefits—and in Mr. Manitowabi’s case, it can become the start of a career path. But the reward, he notes, comes from the joy of making a real difference in his community—a people helping people.
