Canada’s Attorney General and the Speaker of the House sit in ceremony with North Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre at the Maamwi Kindaaswin Pow-Wow 2022
By Kelly Anne Smith
NORTH BAY— The president of the North Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre was touched by the sincerity of Canada’s Attorney General David Lametti and Speaker of the House Anthony Rota to sit in ceremony with the friendship centre’s leadership at the Maamwi Kindaaswin Pow-Wow 2022.
On June 11, along with Executive Director Kathy Fortin and President of the Board Maurice Switzer, the Criminal Court worker of the North Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre, Shelley Boucher, was also present in the circle in the teepee of the Sacred Fire.
Earlier, speaking to the large crowd in Lee Park, Switzer said he was thinking of those behind closed doors.
“The moccasins I’m wearing were made by an inmate of Beaver Creek (Institution). He would love to be here. We are thinking of them and the people who aren’t as fortunate.”
At the microphone, Attorney General and Minister of Justice David Lametti gave a promise while remarking he was honoured and overjoyed to be at the pow wow.
“We are working hand in hand to strip away the layers of colonialism and I pledge to do that to you on a day-to-day basis.”
When emerging from the warm teepee, Fortin spoke about the role of the North Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre in sitting in ceremony with Canada’s Attorney General at the pow wow.
“We want to be an advocate definitely for people who are inside – in the institutions. We want to be advocates. We want to make sure the ones going through the justice system are getting the best possible treatment. We want to ensure there’s equality there for Indigenous people.”
Switzer says the federal government has a concern about the over-representation of Indigenous people and the mechanisms to make sure they don’t fall between the cracks.
“It’s significant that these moccasins were made by an inmate of Beaver Creek Institution. He can’t be here today and for the alleged crime that he committed, he would not have likely endured the same treatment that non-Indigenous people would have. It’s too common. So, were glad when anybody from any level of government says that they want that to be better,” he expresses. “And [Attorney General David Lametti] came and spoke to us. He didn’t make an announcement from Ottawa. He came and spoke to us in a teepee. That means so much to us.”
The Prime Minister has tasked Lametti with addressing the disproportion of Indigenous prisoners in our justice system. 37% of Canada’s prison population are represented by Indigenous men, with Indigenous women representing 45% of the prison population with young female offenders representing close to 60%. Approximately 4.5% on the Canadian adult population are Indigenous.
Fire Keeper Mike Spencer stood at the entrance of where the Sacred Fire was burning. Spencer ensured the important gathering inside the teepee would not be disturbed while in ceremony.
The flames were started during the Sunrise Ceremony at 5:25 am guided by Lorraine Whiteduck Liberty.
Meanwhile, the Maamwi Kindaaswin Pow Wow was in full regalia. On the sunny, warm day a couple from Dokis First Nation are set to enjoy the pow wow.
Tim Restoule and Angela King made it out to the pow wow – the first one in years for them. The couple enjoy traditional dancing at the pow wows. Tim informs that traditional pow-wows are all about healing.
“So, we come together. People have been cooped up too long. We had to come out and get together again. We call that our pow wow family.”
At the podium, Executive Director Kathy Fortin commented she shed a couple of tears during Grand Entry.
“It’s amazing to see all of you out here. Maurice spoke and grandmother Lorraine spoke on the power of the people,” she says. “I want you to dance. I want you to sing. This pow wow would not be put together without the wonderful staff of the North Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre. And the singers and dancers that come from far away.”
She pointed to Canada’s Speaker of the House for his participation.
“Anthony Rota has been a big advocate of the North Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre for many years. He is here every year for the last fourteen years.”
Timiskaming-Nipissing MP and Speaker of the House Anthony Rota exclaimed it was great to see everyone out again and learning from each other.
Nipissing First Nation Chief Scott McLeod thanked the non-Indigenous pow wow goers for attending and learning about out culture.
“You are doing your part by being here and sharing the day with us,” he stated.
Many at the pow wow along with artist and educator Amanda Bellefeuille had Fire Keeper Mike Spencer smudge feathers and wing fans with sage.
“For some of us, this is part of ceremony,” says Bellefeuille. “Because we haven’t been able to do this for the past two years, a lot of us are feeling like we have to take care of our regalia pieces and ourselves with good intentions and bringing what we need to bring into the circle.”
From James Bay, John Ivan and Emily Etherington of Moose Cree First Nation displayed their artwork of soapstone carvings, dream catchers, and tamarack animals.
“This is our second pow wow this year. We went to the one in Thunder Bay. We got invited to this one because I had a free spot. I won a free spot three years ago and then COVID-19 hit. It’s wonderful to see everybody out again. I’m glad we’re here to take part in their first pow wow this year.”