MANITOWANING—Good things come in small packages and if nurtured properly, those small things can grow and prosper. Nothing could be more true in that regard than seeds and there were plenty of seeds on hand at the annual Debajehmujig Storytellers Seed Swap.
“In terms of sharing cultural practices, I think at the heart of it is connection to the land and connection to people,” said Debajehmujig Storytellers executive general manager Lynda Trudeau. “They are very much present today at the Seed Swap.”
“This is a great day to come out and do your seed swap and an opportunity to start getting ready for your garden,” said Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing MP Carol Hughes. “I want to thank Debajehmujig for putting this on. It is a great place for people to come and gather and support as well.”
As the piano stylings of musician Richard Mauti drifted in the air, people wandered among the tables and met with presenters and vendors set up throughout the Debajehmujig Creation Centre in Manitowaning.
There were plenty of presentations to take in, including Jenn Mezei who brought insights she had gained regarding ‘Gardens for Pollinators’ following taking a David Suzuki course on butterflies. Workshops on working with clay by potter Rolanda Manitowabi, Food Waste Diversion by Colen McKeever of ecogrowthenviro.ca, children’s programming with the incomparable duo of Kerri and Courtnee, makeup workshops for elders, ‘Life with Lashes,’ and a youth and elder fashion show put on by Little Feather Co, as well as a fish fry. Throughout the event there was plenty of storytelling to complement the day.
