WIIKWEMKOONG—A group of 39 Grade 11 students from Toronto’s Monsignor Percy Johnson Catholic School travelled to Wiikwemkoong on Wednesday, April 23 for a two-day visit hosted by Wikwemikong Tourism. The students were doing collective research as part of their Indigenous Studies and English Literature curriculum.
“This is an excellent learning opportunity outside the classroom,” said teacher Salvatore Valvo, who took the six-hour journey from Etobicoke along with the students and fellow teacher Evelyn Paris. The visit to Wiikwemkoong provided an opportunity to meet and experience Indigenous culture first hand, which is a little more difficult to accomplish in a larger urban centre.
This was the second group of students to visit Wiikwemkoong from Monsignor Percy Johnson Catholic School. An earlier group had arrived in October and the reports back from that trip were outstanding.
“Naomi (Mishibinijima, tourism arts development officer with Wikwemikong Tourism) is so proficient,” said Mr. Valvo, expressing admiration for the professionalism and attention to detail of the entire Wikwemikong Tourism staff. “This is really such a beautiful piece of land,” continued the teacher. “Most of the students would not have known without coming here.”
After settling in at the Manitoulin Hotel and Conference Centre in Little Current students arrived at Wiikwemkoong around 2 pm on Wednesday, stopping off along the route at the 1836 Treaty Historic plaque, where Wikwemikong Tourism step-on guides Ms. Mishibinijima and Mitchell Manitowabi joined the group. The tour guides took the students through the history of Odawa Mnis (Manitoulin Island) and Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory—Canada’s only officially recognized Unceded Indian Reserve. The tour included stops at four historic sites including the 1836 Treaty historic site, Monument Hill, Holy Cross Mission Ruins (residential school site) and the Smith Bay trading site. The first evening included a social at the Wassa Naabin Youth Centre and remarks and sacred teachings from elder Physllis Williams followed by a traditional cuisine dinner of baked/steamed whitefish, wild rice casserole, baked herb scone and bread pudding with maple syrup. The evening was capped by traditional storytelling with Sonny Osawabine before heading back to the hotel for a sharing circle, journaling and personal reflection.
On Thursday, the students met their counterparts at the Wikwemikong High School where they also met Rita Corbiere, a guest speaker and former residential school student. Ms. Corbiere provided some counterpoint to the usual media fare regarding residential schools as Ms. Corbiere described her experience at the Spanish residential school to have been positive and a boon to her later success in life.
Lunch consisted of corn soup, oven scone, three bean salad and fruit salad. Dinner later consisted of Three Sisters soup (corn, beans and squash), bison sliders with carmelized onions in maple syrup and wild rice and berries in maple syrup.
Following the school visit, the students took in mass at Holy Cross Mission Church and a tour by Father Paul Robson.
Then it was back to the Wasse Naabin Youth Centre for a Seven Grandfathers painting session with Mr. Osawabine where the students had the opportunity to create their very own piece of art while taking in some of the oldest teachings and lessons of the Anishinaabe.
Students had a souvenir opportunity at the Wikwemikong Tourism Gift Shop where they could find authentic handmade items created by Wiikwemkoong artisans.
Once back at the Manitoulin Hotel and Conference Centre, the students were treated to a drum social and Dewegan Drum and Song interactive community social at the hotel. Laughter and excited discussion were the order of the evening as students took part in round dances and discovered the fun of a mini-powwow experience. Veteran drummers High Eagle Singers were joined by dancers in full regalia in providing that experience.
On Friday, the students headed out to M’Chigeeng where they visited the Ojibwe Cultural Foundation, Lillian’s Crafts (with its outstanding quill box museum display) before heading out to Bridal Veil Falls and a nature walk. Students had the opportunity to visit the Kagawong lighthouse as well as a number of shops before heading out to Rainbow Ridge Golf Course.
On a somber note, the students travelled to Spanish to visit St. Joseph’s Residential School and took in the movie ‘We Were Children’ onboard the bus before exploring the residential school site.
