Land Between Waters to be celebrated on MS Chi-Cheemaun and Manitoulin tour

By Kelly Anne Smith

MANITOULIN ISLAND/MNIDOO MNISING – Mark Zelinski’s passion for the Niagara Escarpment, it’s history, and the people that live on it has him launching his new book, Niagara Escarpment: Land Between Waters, over what he calls the heart of Turtle Island.

“Going back to my last book, The Heart of Turtle Island, Lenore Keeshig of Neyaashiinigmiing First Nation wrote a chapter in the book. She educated me about the geomythology of the area from the peninsula to Manitoulin Island. And the ancient land bridge that used to connect Saugeen Peninsula with Manitoulin Island. 10,000 years ago, there was a land bridge and people could walk across from the island to the peninsula. Right around the mid-point, there was a canyon, which is still there but it’s underwater now. And a giant waterfall; the largest waterfall that’s ever existed on earth apparently. And near the top of the waterfall, there’s remnants of ancient villages there. So, people lived there as well. So, that’s where the idea for the last book, Heart of Turtle Island, came from. This was the center of the world. Also, because in that ancient sea that eventually became the Niagara Escarpment, a lot of the life forms that existed on earth began in that ancient tropical sea. That escarpment is the rim of that whole old sea that was there 450 million years ago.”

Zelenski felt it appropriate to do a book launch right above that space aboard the MS-Chi Cheemaun today. The adventure departs at 3:50 PM at South Baymouth and departs at Tobermory at 6:10 PM.

“That spot where the ancient canyon, village and waterfalls were, over the heart of Turtle Island,” he says. “We’re also linking up the Anishinabek Peoples of the northern part of the escarpment, which is on Manitoulin Island with the Peoples of Saugeen Peninsula and also with the Anishinabek People of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation of the southern regions of the escarpment. The traditional territory was all of Lake Ontario almost, and the land surrounding it.”

Zelinski has many presenters and Knowledge Keepers taking part in the book launch. Traditional healer and Elder Josh Eshkawkogan of Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory wrote a foreword in the book.

“He is going to perform an Inner Fire Ceremony. He came up with this idea because we can’t do an Outer Fire Ceremony on the Chi-Cheemaun because it would set off the sprinklers. Instead, it’s going to be inner fire. He’s going to open up two crossings with his ceremony and song. And he will talk a little bit about Mnidoo Mnising.”

While on the water, Zelinski says Lenore Keeshig will talk about geomythology on the crossings. Page 187 states Lenore’s father Donald of Neyaashiinigmiing First Nation named the MS Chi-Cheemaun in 1974.

“There will be maps of the area from pre-Ice Age up to now and how the waters changed levels and how the land changed with it. She also has stories that date back thousands of years through her family oral history. Lenore will also talk on the geomythology as she calls it of the whole area of Manitoulin and Saugeen Ojibway Nation.”

Geologist Beth Gilhespy is set to inform the gathering on the geological history of the escarpment. Gilhespy is the CEO of the Escarpment Biosphere Conservancy.

Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation’s Mark Salt is a wild rice harvester and canoe builder giving a teaching on medicines and on the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation history.

Sophie Anne Edwards, the environmental artist and poet from Kagawong does a lot of work with First Nations, says Zelinski. She’s going to talk about the lands and waters of Manitoulin.

Craig Abottosoway will be part of the following day on May 16, which is the land version of the presentation. Hosted by the Manitoulin Nature Club, and open to the public, Zelinski says the event takes place at Cafe in the Woods, outside of Little Current from 2 PM to about 4 PM.

“It’s an old ski lodge near Aundeck Omni Kaning First Nation. Craig will be opening [with] an acknowledgement, a prayer, and a song. Craig is the executive director of Mnaamodzawin Health Services. Josh will be doing a ceremony and song at that one as well. There will be several other people. Marie McGregor Pitawanakwat is going to be speaking about women’s housing in Canada. Mark Sault will be speaking there. Lenore Keeshig and Sophie Anne Edwards will speak again,” says Zelinski. “The space holds about 70 people…The Cafe in the Woods is open to all the peoples of Manitoulin Island. And the event is free. It’s about two-and-a-half hours and it’s going to be informative and very fascinating.

On Saturday, Zelinski will offer his new book at a 30 per cent discount for folks of Manitoulin Island.

On May 17, a special outside event takes place at the property of Elder Josh Eshkawkogan at the very eastern part of Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory, says Zelinski.

“It’s a beautiful space. He lives on a bay that kind of overlooks Killarney and faces the sunrise surrounded by escarpment. Josh has many ceremonial spaces that he’s created…to honour this book and the people who are part of the presentations from all across the escarpment, he’s going to be doing a special ceremony at 10 AM on Sunday, May 17th. Then, there’ll be a small feast. And then, some of us will be hiking the Bebamikawe Memorial Trail. Bebamikawe means footprints. That’s a really beautiful Indigenous trail, right to the very eastern tip of Manitoulin. And that will close the three days of ceremonies.”

“The ceremony at Josh’s on Sunday is open to the public. We suggest a $15-dollar donation, which will go to Josh for doing the ceremony and opening his doors to us.”

Zelinski is amazed at how many people were receptive to being part of the book in writing quotes, chapters, or forewords in the book.

“With the representation, photographically, of all the Nations on Manitoulin and Saugeen Peninsula and the southern area with the Six Nations and Mississaugas of the Credit [First Nation] over a 14-year-period, I’ve really amassed a huge library of images documenting all the communities of the escarpment, non-Indigenous, but very much the Indigenous communities over the last 14 years. So, this book and the presentations is really my tribute to the land and the peoples who live on this land.”

Mark Zelinski says making many connections has been the best part.

“I’ve been welcomed into these communities and I have made many, many good friends that will last a lifetime. Some of my best friends are part of this presentation. I’m really looking forward to this weekend.”