Christian Island Elementary choir proud to take part in Pan Am Relay Opening Ceremonies
By Sharon Weatherall
BEAUSOLEIL FIRST NATION – A choir from Christian Island Elementary School was invited to participate in the Pan Am Torch Relay Opening Ceremonies in the Town of Midland. Eight girls from the Beausoleil First Nation community sang O’Canada in Ojibway at the event.
“The students were very happy to go and sing at this exciting event,” said school Principal Angela Johnson.
“They were very honoured – this is a moment in history and they got to be part of it.”
The TORONTO 2015 Pan Am Games Torch Relay is a 41-day journey that shares the Pan Am spirit in more than 130 communities. Deeply rooted in history and tradition, the Pan Am flame was lit in May 2015 during a traditional ceremony in Mexico, before it traveled to Canada.
The flame for the Pan Am Games is lit during a traditional ceremony at the Pyramid of the Sun, in Teotihuacan, Mexico. Following the lighting, the flame was handed over to a representative from the Host City. The flame was then flown back to Canada to begin its nationwide journey before arriving in Toronto to light the cauldron at Opening Ceremony, which signifies the start of the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am Games.
The torch relay started in Canada on May 30, 2015, and will make its final stop on July 10, 2015, at the Opening Ceremony of the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am Games. The 41 day trek involves 3,000 torchbearers travelling 5,000 plus kilometres on the road and 15,000 plus kilometres in the air to 130 communities using 60 plus alternative modes of transportation.
On Day 12 of the Relay the torch arrived in Parry Sound, Waubaushene, Victoria Harbour, Port McNicoll, Midland, Penetanguishene, Oro-Medonte and Barrie. The community celebration at Midland’s North Simcoe Sports and Recreation Centre greeted the flame and torchbearer Adam Dixon, a medal-winning Paralympic sledge hockey player.
The CIES choir sang at the opening and one student – Jade Jackson-Smith drummed and sang. Grade 8 student Larissa Kidd dressed in traditional regalia also danced with the community big drum at the beginning of the opening ceremony which commenced with singing and drumming.
“The entire school right from kindergarten sing O’Canada in Ojibway everyday however our choir students practiced in preparation for the event – Mr. King our music teacher had them working on tone and pitch,” said Johnson.
“They sounded really good and carried it off perfectly. The girls were very proud and at ease singing in front of such a huge crowd. They represented our school well.”
Johnson says the event was very exciting and the students really enjoyed themselves because they were able to take part in the activities.
“The event was very interactive with lots of activities and lots of giveaways to keep the kids involved. The first 500 guests at the event received a stuffy from ‘Patchy’ the hedgehog – a mascot for the event. They were handing out snacks, flags and organizers were walking around doing trivia with the kids,” said Johnson.
CIES was one of few schools from the area that had the good fortune to attend the event. Unfortunately there was a tornado warning that day and some other schools that were invited were in lock-down due to the weather and could not attend.
“Despite the weather our school made it. We had already left the island before the tornado warning and arrived at the recreation centre which is one of the safest places to be when there is a weather emergency. But the day turned out fine and everyone that attended was safe and had a great time. We were very happy and honoured to be there,” said Johnson.