The largest body of fresh water in the world
In Memory of Alicja Rozanska
By Danny Beaton (Turtle Clan Mohawk)
The Bruce Peninsula, Georgian Bay, territories of the Ojibwe Anishinaabek, was the homeland of Chippewas of Nawash, birthplace and homeland of Wilmer Nadjiwon and his family. It was here around 1990 that Jimelda Johnston, Happy Laughing, and Wilmer Nadjiwon organized the Spiritual Gathering for peace and healing called “Bedehbun” – The Moment of the First Light before Dawn.
Because Wilmer had spent a big part of his life trying to bring unity and organization to the Indigenous Nations in Ontario, he gave instructions that Mohawks and Haudenosaunee Confederacy would be instru,mental in sharing their message of peace, power, unity, and respect for all at Cape Croker in The Light of Dawn Gathering.
The gathering that we organized that year will be remembered by all who attended. Tom Porter did a Traditional Thanksgiving and I remember hundreds of us holding hands while Tom prayed to all Creation, Mother Earth, and all Natural life. The surrounding Georgian Bay and Lake Huron were beyond or as beautiful as any place else in the world and still are. I will remember those days with Wilmer, Happy and Jimelda as long as I walk on Sacred Mother Earth. Later in the years, Wilmer and I became like father and son in many ways, because we were both so creative and enjoyed working together. Knowing we were fighting for his people and mine never stopped us from caring for all the people on Mother Earth because we knew everyone was equal and had to survive.
On March 12, 2009, Jimelda Johnston, Wilmer Nadjiwon, and myself attended the office of the then Commissioner of Environment Gord Miller. At that time, we were struggling to stop Dump Site 41 from being built, a large garbage dump on top of the Alliston Aquifer, one of the cleanest waters in the world, confirmed by scientists and farmers. It was Wilmer who was trying to unite Chiefs of Ontario to come together to stop any threats to Georgian Bay from contaminants. Wilmer insisted to Gord Miller that Indigenous people were never consulted about any such garbage dump to be built on our clean and pure aquifers, home of the Great Ojibway Nation. Needless to say, we could not convince this commissioner to support our struggle. But in the end, Site 41 was stopped with the unity of citizens, farmers, and Indigenous people of Simcoe County.
Every time you ran into old Wilmer Nadjiwon, he was always full of energy ready to share his ideas and thoughts about any topic concerning the health and productivity of his people, the Chippewas of Nawash. Thinking back to those days, Wilmer would start carving first thing in the morning. It was a magical experience watching the piece of wood turn into a face, eagle, or bear. Wilmer was doing his healing for Mother Earth in his own way! Wilmer was closer to Mother Earth because of his understanding that Mother Earth provided everything he and his people needed to survive their sacred journey through this life. Although Wilmer was 96 years old, he still was carving and meditating by the Sacred Fire with his neighbours. He loved to be outdoors, he loved Mother Earth, and his mind was of a real Indian because he grew up in the forest and on the water. He understood freedom at an early age, watching the natural world all around his reservation, Cape Croker, the Great Bruce Peninsula surrounded by endless beauty.
After getting to know Wilmer for about 30 years, his stories and adventures started to come back when I least expected them; but sometimes when I thought of my wife, Wilmer would appear, too. Even now, when I share my coffee first thing in the morning, I offer a taste to my wife and Wilmer, and all my Elders in the Spirit World. In the years I knew Wilmer, I learned what a great strong man he was to focus on creating things for his culture and people but also to be connected to his ancestors and Mother Earth. When I think of Wilmer and my wife Alicja, I remember the same beauty all around us as the same beauty Wilmer grew up in, big open skies and pure water everywhere, endless forest of pine, cedar, maple, birch, and redwood. But my mind has eyes inside and I start to see and remember all my teachers and Elders smiling and looking at me just like we first met. The more I think about Wilmer and my wife at his camp in The Bruce Peninsula, the more I want to tell you the power of our unity to show people that Indigenous culture was alive and thriving as long as you would come and join us in ceremonies, cooking, and participate in Indigenous crafts. Our culture was alive in everyone at Wilmer’s camp. It was a vision that one day everyone would learn to respect Indigenous culture and way of life. Since Wilmer went into the Spirit World, life has not been the same for me without his powerful energy and love of people and culture. My Elders on Six Nations were the same people who cared for us when we were young. Our Elders always made sure they filled us up with their love and gentleness of our way of life. In this way of life, we become one with Mother Earth because we understand the oneness with Mother Earth, knowing everything we eat comes from her body. Even our homes were built close to Mother Earth. Anyone interested in knowing more about Wilmer’s life can seek his book, Not Wolf, Nor Dog.
Thinking back to our trips up to Georgian Bay, Cape Croker, and Owen Sound, Wilmer was someone my wife and I could always count on for a spiritual discussion or just to sit back and laugh. We really were lucky to have found that friendship because it is really what life is all about, having those rare friendships where you can go and talk about the power of the natural world around you, finding ways to share that beauty. The whole Ojibwe culture and people are still sacred and alive, as all other tribes and nations, but we are faced with more than environmental issues and troubles now. We are faced with hard drugs that are taking over our cities and reservations. It is in the open for all to see, even documentary films are showing it on television and in the newspapers daily. Gun culture is a very serious problem. As Indigenous people, we have created strong programs for healing in the Southern Cities, but there are not enough programs up North for isolated communities facing these issues, where drugs and alcohol are rampant, and destroying families and culture.
It is our dream that we take these toxins and poisons out of our communities, but it will only happen with us organizing positive action and healing. Mother Earth needs the same healing up north because here in the South, we do not have the open space and natural world that is still up North, where you still can drink fresh clean water and pick blueberries, strawberries, cedar, sage, and plants in nature to eat and heal with. All these things are still going on, but mining companies want to build roads to exploit these things. These are the things my Elders never stopped talking about at the kitchen table; these are the things we talked about at our gatherings at Six Nations and Cape Croker when I was young. It’s my duty to still talk about the concerns of our spiritual leaders now. I know Wilmer was a real spiritual leader because he cared for Mother Earth and his people so much.
Thank you all for listening. All My Relations