M’CHIGEENG—Thanks to the efforts of students of Central Manitoulin Public School (Mindemoya), Lakeview Public School and the Gore Bay Fish and Game Club (GBFGC), healthy Chinook salmon were stocked in the M’Chigeeng River last week.
“The GBFGC wants to commend Patti Jo Woods (CMPS teacher) and her Grade 3 class who, with the guidance of Dave Robinson, the school’s friendly custodian, for the excellent job they did in raising these Chinook salmon,” said Ian Anderson, of the GBFGC.
Mr. Anderson explained, “They have collectively contributed to future stocks of salmon for the waters around Manitoulin and we thank them for their diligent work.” The GBFGC collected the fish eggs and gave them to CMPS to raise in their micro-hatchery over the winter.
“Aanii, welcome. We would like to take this opportunity to respectfully acknowledge that we are gathered here today in the Robinson Huron Treaty Area and Manitoulin Treaties of 1836 and 1862,” said Ms. Woods in welcoming everyone to the event. “We would like to acknowledge Lakeview Public School and M’Chigeeng First Nation. We would also like to recognize all the Anishinabek of this territory on Mnidoo Mnising. Miigwetch for sharing this place with us today.”
“My name is Ms. Woods, and I am the Grade 3 teacher at CMPS. I am very honoured to be here today to help release the chinook salmon that we raised at CMPS.”
“At this time, I would like to acknowledge some of our special guests who have joined us for this occasion,” said Ms. Woods. She acknowledged Mr. Anderson, Lisa Corbiere-Addison, Rainbow District School Board trustee, Julie Harris, the Grade 3 teacher at Lakeview, Ms. Jo, an education assistant at Lakeview and Geraldine Ense McGregor, elder and knowledge keeper of M’Chigeeng First Nation.
Mr. Anderson outlined the process of raising and releasing the Chinook salmon and answered questions from students and community members on hand.
Ms. Woods invited Ms. McGregor who provided a blessing/prayer and honoured the fish and water with a feast bundle. She then led the Grade 3 students from Lakeview in drumming and singing the water song.
The Grade 3 and Grade 7 students of CMPS then talked about the Chinook salmon and how they raised them in a controlled environment.
“Thank you, miigwetch for joining us today,” said Ms. Woods. “We would like to especially thank all the students that are here from CMPS and Lakeview for participating in this event. Ian Anderson, Geraldine Ense-McGregor and Julie Harris who helped organize this day. As a token of our appreciation, we would like to present you with these gifts of tobacco and CMPS honey. To all the community members, parents, guardians, we hope you had a wonderful experience with us and we look forward to seeing you next year.”
