Cubs Scout Troop in Aamjiwnaang for the first time
By Greg Plain
AAMJIWNAANG – With help from Band Council for start up fees and uniforms, the 1st Aamjiwnaang Cub Scouts started in the fall and now have 17 in their ranks.
The first-ever cub troop in Aamjiwnaang is lead by Phillip Maness (Akela), David Lavallee (Baloo), Joanne Rogers and Verlynn Plain.
Rogers has had a lot of previous experience with troops as she led a group of youth in Brownies from 1981-1983 (31st Chippewa Brownies) with 15 youth of the Nation.
“It is a great honour to bring the youth the Cub Scout experience and they will grow in their new roles,” says Rogers.
Phillip Maness told a group of 100 people in attendance at their recent Soup and Twoonie Auction that the youth will tell the leaders what they are looking for.
“They have agreed to use the names from the Jungle Book series for their leaders,” says Maness. “Also cultural teachings of the community are going to be the driving force behind the groups learning and badge skills.”
The Cubs and community were shown the Seven Grandfather Teachings that the Troop will follow within its meetings, and their work in the community
Roger and Pauline Williams were contacted as the troop wanted Staff as part of their meeting, so Roger created the three Staffs with the three emblems chosen (Wolf, Bear and Eagle) created from moose antler carvings and Pauline created the material/sewing on the staffs.
The Staffs were given to the Troop at the “Soup Sale and Toonie Auction” the Scouts held to raise funds to help in the purchase of shirts, badges and other material required for the troop.
The Williams were thanked for the gift to the Cub Scouts and were named as Honourary Cubs, and Elders of the Troop.
The Cubs meet weekly on Tuesday nights.