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Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Health Needs
I can,t believe the red tape people have to go through to get any kind of help from the Band . More and more Indian Affairs has stop paying for a lot in the way of health needs pill,s etc. there needs to be a fund where are members can get help for health needs and not have to sign there life away when they ask for things , And give pages of personal info when they do ask, That's just degrading , People on any kind of pension is living below the poverty line. Sad that are members would just rather not even ask. cheryle
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Notes on Sites of Indian Villages 1903 The Fishing Station by Andrew Hunter
Remains of the fishing station and the fish weirs of the Hurons at the Narrows. The position of the old weirs is north of the old railway bridge. In 1887, the late Joseph Wallace sr, a local archaeologist, of Orillia , indentitied this as the fishing station mentioned in Champlain,s Journal ( 1615) , at the time when he had extracts from that journal printed in the Orillia Times.see champlain,s Works Vol.4 page 34 .Mr. Wallace also contributed an article on the subject to the Canadian Indian Sault Ste. Marie Ont. and it appeared in the issue of that periodical fo February 1891 pages 134-138, under the heading A Fishing Station of the Ancient Hurons Identified. Owing to the rarity of that reference to the fish stakes. After some general remarks on the object of Champlains expedition he says- The Narrows present much the same features as in Champlain,a day. But its fame as fishing ground has long vanished, bass may still be caught with the rod, or trolling, and in the winter season some scores of Indians and whites may be seen spearing herrings through holes cut in the ice. Still there is no doubt that at the time to which reference is made,all those lakes were literally swarming with fish.Are there any remains to point out the exact locality where these stakes crossed the strait? In answering this question in the affirmative, I would state that some years since my friend Gilbert Williams, an Indian informed me that he had seen very old stakes which were used by the Mohawks for catching fish. Some time after when I was writing out a story of Champlain for one of our local papers, I was conversing with Charles Jacobs on the subject, who said he had also seen the stakes and further that the locality was known to this day as " Mitchekun"which means a fence or the place which was fenced or staked across. He said that if a strange Indian were to ask him where he came from he would answer Michekuning the termination "ing" signifying from that is from Mitchekun. We were at the time standing on the Orillia wharf and within sight of the endof the Narrows. Charles Jacobs said ask old Mr. Snake who was standing near by where Mitchekun is. As soon as i asked the old man he turned and pointed to the Narrows, which was between two and tree miles distant. In September 1886 I walked down to the Narrows and entered into conversation with Mr. frank Gaudaur who is of Indian extraction and the keeper of the Midland railway bridge who immediately took me to the side of the bridge and a few paces distant and showed me a number of the stakes which remained> Dredging the channel for the purpose of navigation had of course, removed the greater part of them,only those on the outside of the dredged portion being left. Mr. Gaudaur said that there were some other places where stakes might be seen, but that this was the most compete part. The stakes as might be expected were a good deal twisted by the current, but the ends were still close together, and firmly embedded in the clay and mud at the bottom ,so that it as only after considerable pulling with a spear that one was brought to the surface. The stakes would be about five or six feet long and thicker than a walking stick. It is to be observed that they are not placed across in a straight line indeed one portion is continued in a direction half- way down the stream and would thus produce an angle when the line was change upwards and at the opening of this angle would be placed the net and this is in exact accordance with the method which Champlain describes, when the Indians were hunting deer that is by staking out large space in the woods with an angle into which the game was driven. It is not difficult to account for the stakes lasting for so many years when we consider that the tops were under the surface of the water thus escaping the action of the air and also the ice, which in this locality is never of great thickness because of the rapidity of the current. It must be understood that we do not assert that these identical stakes existed there in Champlain,s time although it is possible that some of the may be part of the original construction. It was probably used for fishing purposes long after the time of Champlain,s and even after the destruction of the Huron ,s for Iam strongly inclined to suspect that a portion of the Mohawks settled down on the vanquished territory and remained there a considerable time. If such was the case the fence would be repaired from time to time, as circumstances required, whit out altering the site to any material extent. The stake which i had been pointed with an axe of considerable sharpness as evidenced by the comparatively clean cuts made in the operation. Our present Indians who are Ojibways know nothing about them , except the tradition before mentioned. Mr. Snake is an old man, and he stated to me that the old Indians when he was young , referred the whole construction , and its use to the Mohawks I have no doubt,if they are not molested the remains will be in existence a century hence. A paragraph in the Orillia packet of June 21 1889 affords some further information upon the important fishing station- During his stay here Mr. A. C. Osborne, of Penetanguishene accompanied by Me. Joseph Wallace sr. visited Mr. F Gaudaur and they made a most interesting discovery A copy of Champlain,s journal describes the method by which the Indians took fish in 1615. They had rows of stakes driven into the bottom of the Narrows in such a way as to corral the fish in passing from one lake to the other. In this manner enough fish for thr commissariat during the expedition in which they engaged against the Iroquois were taken in five or six days. When this part of the journal was read to Mr. Gaudaur, he took his visitors to where the rows of stakes could be seen under water. The Ojibways he said found these stakes there when they came a hundred and fifty or eighty years since,knew what they were for, but did not use them .They were in large numbers and at one time extended across the Narrows but very many were thrown out in dredging the present channel. The stakes are of tamarac Me Osborne secures two one had evidently been put down to replace another at a date subsequent to the other , which was soft like cheese when pulled out . The top is desiccated and is covered with slime, Though only some six inches were visible they extend a long distance into the mud. Me. Osborne believes that the older stick is one of those there when Champlain encamped at the spot. Mr. Gaudaur says that these under water fences probably suggested the Ojibway name for Orillia or the Narrows Michikaning The place of the fence.
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
June 22,1959 Press Release Plaque To Commemorate Chief William Yellowhead
On Sat. June 27. 1959 commencing at 3 pm. ceremonies in connection with the unveiling if an historical plaque will take place in Couchiching Beach Park Orillia. This plaque is one of a series being erected through out the province by the Historical Branch of the Department of Travel and Publicity, acting on the advice of the Archaeological and Historic Sites Board of Ontario. Saturday's ceremony is being sponsored by the Orillia Chamber of Commerce whose president, Mr. John Spencer, will act as programme chairman . The Archaeological and Historic Sites Board will be represented by its chairman Mr. W.H. Cranston of Midland, and the plaque will be unveiled by Mr. Joseph Yellowhead, a descendant of the Chief who is being commemorated. Others who are expected to take part in the ceremony are: His Worship Major A.J. Truman, Mr. William McEacheran, chairman of the Orillia Parks Board, Mr.LIoyed Letherby,M.P.P Mr. J. A. Coutts, president of the Huronia Historic Sites and Tourist Association , Mr.I. J. Douglas Chief of Rama Indian Reserve, and Mr. C. L. Bigcanoe, Chief of the Georgina Island Reserve. William Yellowhead, known also by his Indian name " Musquakie" , was born about 1769. The exact place and date of his birth havenever been definitely established, but in the records of the St. James Church at Orillia there is a notation entered at the time of burial which states that he was about one hundred years old. Musquakie was the son of Chief William Yellowhead, Sr,, the principal Chief of the Deer Tribe of the Chippewa or Ojibwa Indians Before Europeans penetrated the upper Great Lakes region the Ojibwa, Indians of Algonkian stock, roamed the north of Lake Huron and Superior . One of the earliest reported meetings between white men and Ojibwa took place in 1640. These Indians are described in the " Jesuit Relations" of that year as being "people of the Sault." It is entirely possible that the famous explorer, Jean Nicolet, had met them during his journey to the vicinity of Sault Ste. Marie in 1634 _ 35, but there is no contemporary record which prove this. The Ojibwa were always relatively friendly towards the French who frequently visited their region during the 17th and early 18th centuries. In the 1700's following the decline of Iroquois power, the Ojibwa and their kinsmen , the Mississaugas, moved southward toward Lake Ontario. After the British conquest of Canada the Ojibwa continued on good terms with the administration. They were regarded highly by Lieutenant- Governor John Graves Simcoe . In a letter to Lord Dorchester , he says oh them "... these people deserve the utmost attention; unlike the Five Nations , they do not look up to any persons but the King's officers or subjects , nor is their power to be slighted since ,though they are not numerous themselves in this part of the country, they can draw to a head very formidable numbers" The good relations established in the early years Of British rule in Canada stood the colony in good stead when it was attacked buy the United Sates in 1812. The Ojibwa, unlike some other more vacillating tribes in Upper Canada, immediately rallied to the Crown under the leadership of William Yellowhead, Sr.. They fought by the side of British and Canadian forces in many engagements during that war and put up a stiff resistance during the American attack on York in April 1813. It is believed that during that battle Chief Yellowhead ,Sr. was severely wounded and soon afterward his son, Musquakie , was appointed principal chief of the Deer Tribes.In 1818 the Crown purchased 1,592,000 acres of land in the principal men of the Chippewa nation of Indian's" and one of the signers was Chief William Yellowhead,Jr. Sir John Colborne was appointed Lieutenant- governor of Upper Canada in 1828 and one of his major projects was to gather together the no-madic tribes of Lake Huron and Simcoe areas onto reserves. White settlement was proceeding apace and new land was required to handle the great influx of immigrants into the province. In accordance with this plan, a strip of land between Coldwater and Orillia was designated by the government as a reserve for several Ojibwa bands including that led by Chief Yellowhead . A road was built and land provided for the Indians along its route, Yellowhead and his followers settled in the vicinity of Orillia, and a house which stood until recent times was erected for his use. Unfortunately,as so often happened in other areas of the province, white settlers infiltrated into the region and friction occurred between them and the resident Indian population. Moreover,the influx of white population spoiled the Indian hunting grounds in the immediate vicinity. Although farming had been commenced on the reserve under the guidance of the Indian superintendent,T.G.Anderson, the Indians had not entirely given up their traditional adherence to the chase. Despite Yellowheads personal popularity, the Ojibwa were compelled to relinquish the land which they had held for such a brief period and were relocated to more remote reserves of which the most important were Rama and Beausoleil Island . Chief Yellowhead and his band moved from Orillia to Rama during late 1838 and early 1839. Musqukie spent the remainder of his life there .A devout Christian, he was highly respected and admired by all who knew him. It was largely through his efforts and those of his father that the loyalty of the Ojibwa to the British Crown was preserved. When he died in 1864 he was buried in St James shurch yard. Al though no monument remains to indicate the exact site of his grave ,it is thought to be in the vicinity of the main door of the church . A more permanent memorial does however remain with us today in the name of the Muskoka District of Ontario. It is generally believed that this region was named after him since the area comprised part of his recognized hunting grounds.
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Life without Fear
I get that if you work for the Chippewas of Rama you can,t talk about Rama in any way and that you fear for your jobs. I hope that changes one day . Its has to. Some times i speck about the land and its fine ,but others times when i talk about the environmental issues its political or i,am being political.You have to ask you self do you want to live in the white corporate world under the Indian Act or do you want to live the as we should the life of the Anishnabe, what life do you want for your children? We have never need anyone to tell us how to live for hundreds of years. Why let it happen now, the people who are making the decisions for us don't live here and we have no say ,sure there,s committee's but bottom line Chief and Council have the last word. I don't care if you sign your name or not, to what you say, But when people say nothing or don't show up for meetings Chief and Council assume every thing s just fine and you are happy with the job they are doing.
Friday, February 17, 2012
Thursday, February 16, 2012
CULTURE
Ok what started out as was a conversation about a News letter has led to a lot of comments about culture,I would like to see more done, but i feel in order for are children to learn we must live it everyday and we are not. We base are culture on the land Mother Earth , and how we respect every thing she has to offer, We used the land a nd every thing in are daily life, When was the last time you show your children how to use the trees, the plants to fish or hunt to make a fire or to pray and give thanks for mothers earths gifts, When was the last time you walked in the bush with your child? or visit and Elder taking them to listen and learn . do they no how to skin an animal or snare a rabbit , spear a fish, Plant a garden pick berries. Build a shelter, Alot of people do not practise are culture so how will are children no . We all must do more and we can if given the chance . We have have too. Cheryle Snache
Update on the Union
I spoke with an employee at the UOI yesterday who brought me up to speed so I wish to share bits of that conversation with you, the blog readers/community members.
WM told me that Rama leadership is open to resuming talks with the UOI and that they have been invited to our community twice in recent past, but circumstances, I think one was a death in our community, lead to postponing those talks.
WM encouraged me to encourage our members to continue to ask questions and encourage our leadership to resume those talks. The UOI is there for us as individuals of course and he did say that they don't turn anyone away who needs their help whether they come from communities who are members of the union or not, but they do operate on a BCR process, so Rama would need to pass a BCR restating their position about being members of the Union.
The truth is we need to be united in our efforts in advancing our rights. When we are divided and piece mealed it's easier to dismiss our concerns then when our voices are united as ONE. The union is doing a lot of great work for our Nation and our Nationhood. We need to get on board and support this to advance our rights and have what's written in the Kanadian constitution actually recognized. To me, it always comes back to the children. What legacy are we leaving for them? Stop thinking in terms of me and I, and starting thinking in terms of us and we.
Shawna
WM told me that Rama leadership is open to resuming talks with the UOI and that they have been invited to our community twice in recent past, but circumstances, I think one was a death in our community, lead to postponing those talks.
WM encouraged me to encourage our members to continue to ask questions and encourage our leadership to resume those talks. The UOI is there for us as individuals of course and he did say that they don't turn anyone away who needs their help whether they come from communities who are members of the union or not, but they do operate on a BCR process, so Rama would need to pass a BCR restating their position about being members of the Union.
The truth is we need to be united in our efforts in advancing our rights. When we are divided and piece mealed it's easier to dismiss our concerns then when our voices are united as ONE. The union is doing a lot of great work for our Nation and our Nationhood. We need to get on board and support this to advance our rights and have what's written in the Kanadian constitution actually recognized. To me, it always comes back to the children. What legacy are we leaving for them? Stop thinking in terms of me and I, and starting thinking in terms of us and we.
Shawna
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Union
How do people feel about not being a member of the Union Of Ontario Indians i my self think its time that we forgive and join again , i think alot of people feel the same. Once again this decision was not made by the members time to change that..
Friday, February 10, 2012
NEWS LETTER
I think are own news letter is a great idea, iam in .I grew up with a father who was a writer and he all ways said the pen is mighty er the the sword. And if you don't ask questions you will never no. He fought all his life for the things he believe in. the enviornement. clean water veteran's issues etc. He as i believed in free speech and Human rights for all. That no one is different and people should be treated equal. To fight for what you believe and never give up we can change things. So if anyone is into a news letter get a hold of me i will help.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
What We Can,t Be Told ?
I have in all my life never seen a place run like the Chippewas of Rama, There is so much that we are not allowed to know. Makes me wonder if they no what accountability's and transparency means. When people act this way makes you wonder if they have some thing to hide. I asked for a phone directory and was told its a privacy issues . We pay for the employees but we cant have a list of phone numbers what is that all about are we not entitled to no who they are and who we are forking out are cash too. I ask who we donate money to, no answer i ask what political party's we are donating money to no answer. As the share holders of Rama we are entitled to this information i would think.
The Math Just Doesn't Add Up....
Summary
Seasoned, bottom-line driven marketing/management professional with extensive direct marketing/retail/intenet/database experience. Motivated, passionate, team-focused leader with effective communication skills.
My objective is to drive growth performance in sales and bottom-line for a business in a marketing/management capacity.
My objective is to drive growth performance in sales and bottom-line for a business in a marketing/management capacity.
Experience
June 2008 – Present (3 years 9 months)
Managed six retail businesses; developed economic proposals and managed projects; board member for Ontario's Lake Country; built and marketed retail websites; developed economic community plans; negotiated leases and joint-venture contracts; improved bottom-line business results by over $600,000.
1993 – 1999 (6 years)
managed two direct marketing divisions in Canada with over $25mil in sales; moved customer service and distribution to Canada from US with over $1mil in savings; improved bottom line results by over $2mil; negotiated long-term licensing deals with Disney Canada and Mattel; Managed staff of over 75; reported directly to President, Grolier Direct Inc.; managed direct relationships with agencies and marketing promotion firms.
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