NORTH BAY—Wikwemikong Robotics Team 5672 packed their carefully crafted metal robot into cushioned crates and set out to spend Easter Weekend competing with teams from across the North on a challenging course that featured barriers, obstacles and a target tower that loomed high above the arena floor.
The Wikwemikong High School Robotics Team was competing at the FirstRobotics North Bay Regionals from March 23-26, explained team mentor Wikwemikong High School Teacher Chris Mara. “Our team was one of four representing Northern Ontario and the only all First Nation team,” Mr. Mara said. “The competition featured teams from Quebec as well as a team from New York.”
Mr. Mara reported that “initial rounds had the robot well placed. However, the team faced a serious setback when the intake mechanism became damaged. The robot was performing autonomously and hit the opposing alliance’s drive station hard. The damage required the team to fabricate parts in the pit area and, as a result, the team forfeited a match. In spite of the arm being fixed, it was impossible for the team to come back from the deficit.”
Mr. Mara described the focus of the Wikwemikong team with more than a little awe. “They owned it totally,” he said of the team’s efforts. Whether it was planning the assault, strategizing on the approach, programming the equipment or meeting the challenges of a sophisticated mechanical device with a g’zillion mechanical opportunities to go wrong, the members of the Wikwemikong Robotics 5672 team were “all over it.”
The team chairperson was Annie Wemigwans and the build team and pit crew consisted of Tim Pitawanakwat, Reynold Assinaiwe, Matthew Oshkawbweisens (who was unable to attend the competition), Alex Desmoulin, Cole Baibomcowai and Dehmin Eshkawkogan. The team programmer was Nicholas Wemigwans, while the safety captains and pit maintenance leader included Eileen Letander-Trudeau and Hannah Peltier. Social media involved the efforts of Angel Peltier and Eugenia Eshkawkogan (also not at the competition), while the all-important cheering section involved Patrina Pitawanakwat and Kendra Wassengesso.
“This was the Wikwemikong High School team’s second year competing at the First Robotics events,” said Mr. Mara. “They faced many challenges transitioning from their rookie year, being such an isolated team. Fortunately some sponsors stepped forward. Metal Supermarkets is a stock metal supply franchise across North America, and their president, Chris Hare, has a camp on the Island. He contacted the team and became a major supporter. The Wikwemikong Hock Shop stepped forward with a car raffle for the team, allowing for the opportunity of deep grassroots support.”
Union Gas and the Argosy Foundation also offered significant support, as did the Honourable Leonard S. Mandamin. “Judge Mandamin started as an electrical engineer,” noted Mr. Mara.
Manitowaning Loco Beanz offered local support along with Manitowaning Mill Building Centre, Ham’s Marine and Manitoulin Transport, who offered invaluable in-kind support. Debajehmujig Storytellers also offered in-kind support.
“The team challenged itself, pushed their skill level and built a much more complex robot than last year, truly owning all aspects of the project,” said Mr. Mara. “They are looking forward to the next robot season.”
