ZHIIBAAHAASING FIRST NATION—The theme of this year’s Zhiibaahaasing First Nation powwow, ‘Coming Back Home,’ was appropriate as the community welcomed some band members back to the community.
“The band members we met at an Assembly of First Nations gathering in Ottawa are welcomed here today. They are part of the Wolf Clan,” said Zhiibaahaasing Chief Irene Kells. “And there are probably about 14 band members from my family who live in Toronto who are here. And any other new members of the band are here this weekend. Welcome back to your community.”
“As I look around today, I see a beautiful sight with everyone standing here in their regalia,” said Chief Kells. “Thank you everyone for being here today for our powwow. Our theme ‘Coming Back Home’ is very appropriate today. We have met about 18 people who are new band members who have come home this weekend. We knew we had more band members and it is so nice to see everyone, welcome home and we are so happy to have you in the community.”
“Thank you to all the vendors here today, all the drums, dancers. And welcome to the flag carriers,” said Chief Kells. “Thank you to everyone for being here today and have a great day.”
Elder Bill Antoine told the gathering, “I brought home some of my family home, here this week. This is the first time everyone has been home together in a long time.”
“It’s all about family and friends sharing joy and some sadness together,” said Chief Kells. She noted that while on a trip to Toronto earlier this year, “our family was looking for a place to gather. One of the people we met whose home is here (Zhiibaahaasing) told us she owned a restaurant nearby. We had a great meal and a great time that evening. It is this kind of story that makes our theme for the powwow so appropriate. And it is going to continue to be our powwow theme.”
Zhiibaahaasing band councillor Kevin Mossip said, “it is no nice that so many people have come home this week and are family members. But I have to admit I didn’t know there were at least 25 people living in other communities whose home is here. It is so nice to have these community members come back home.”
“Up until 35 years ago there was no one here. When we restarted the Zhiibaahaasing community a that time there were no houses or running water,” said Mr. Mossip. He noted recently, “I was talking to a band member from Michigan, who at first had no idea Zhiibaahaasing was her home community. This person was asking about voting options told her about the requirements. Then I asked her if knew about the Robinson Huron Treaty annuity payments. She said, ‘holy crap,’ when she found out she was entitled to her share of this.”
“This was such a neat experience to let this person know this,” said Mr. Mossip. “It was probably the best experience I’ve had since being a member of council.”
Glen Hare told the gathering, “Good afternoon, this is a great day. I have worked with our leadership on the Island for many years and have worked with Chief Kells since the first day she started as chief.”
“I can remember back 35 years ago when there were no homes here. Then when I got here today I had to ask, is there anywhere I can park my car,” quipped Mr. Hare. “The theme ‘Coming Back Home’ is a great thing.”
Mr. Hare said, “to the government I would like to say listen to our leadership, they know their community better than anyone else, and they want and need to be part of the decision making process. And when you talk about education, do not use the word school; it is a treaty word, and it is in these residential schools that our kids were taken away.”
