A boisterous celebration of Anishinaabe culture and heritage takes place under sunny skies

M’CHIGEENG— The numbers may have been down due to the absence of the Rainbow District School Board elementary school contingent, but the Kenjgewin Teg Educational Institute’s ( KTEI ) Annual Fall Harvest celebration was an unqualified success blessed with sunny skies and warm temperatures.

Nutritionist Cody Leeson was handing out plenty of snack packs during the KTEI Annual Fall Harvest.
Nutritionist Cody Leeson was handing out plenty of snack packs during the KTEI Annual Fall Harvest.

it “It is unfortunate that we are down about 300 students this year,” said Debbie Debassige, surmising that the current labour dispute between the RDSB, the province and the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) and work-to-rule restrictions on field trips may have been the reason.

TV5’s Gordie Odjig gathered an impromptu film crew on his way to put away his equipment. There is always time for a learning moment.
TV5’s Gordie Odjig gathered an impromptu film crew on his way to put away his equipment. There is always time for a learning moment.

The lack of RDSB students did little to dampen the atmosphere, however, as students and visitors lined up to participate in workshops and displays and to sample many nutritious snacks on offer.

Drum classes combined the traditional hand drum with nursery rhymes to provide an entertaining lesson in storytelling techniques.
Drum classes combined the traditional hand drum with nursery rhymes to provide an entertaining lesson in storytelling techniques.

There are few more delicious ways to explore heritage and culture than the KTEI Annual Fall Harvest, as there were food samples ranging from salsa (and the making thereof), pumpkin recipes, potato and carrots, apples, scone (both mini and full sized), tomatoes, beets, squash and zucchini, wild rice, corn (traditional harvest and preparation), peppercorn and spaghetti squash, and dried fruits and medicines.

Care for a cuppa potato carrot soup? KTEI instructor Brian Bisson was handing out plenty of the hearty concoction to eager diners at the Annual KTEI Fall Harvest celebration.
Care for a cuppa potato carrot soup? KTEI instructor Brian Bisson was handing out plenty of the hearty concoction to eager diners at the Annual KTEI Fall
Harvest celebration.
Powwow dancer Gmewin Migwans had a colourful display of regalia and combined it with traditional knowledge.
Powwow dancer Gmewin Migwans had a colourful display of regalia and combined it with traditional knowledge.

Meanwhile the educational opportunities abounded, including beading, nature’s gifts in math, an interactive diabetes booth, medicine pouch making, crafts with sinew (courtesy of the Ojibwe Cultural Foundation), trapping and fur (with former trapper elder Joe Laford), a medicine walk, regalia making, language instruction, drum making and both male and female drumming workshops, the four medicines teachings, Brighter Futures, Kina Gbezgomi Foster Care and traditional games with nature.

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