www.ramafirstnation.ca 5884 Rama Road, Suite 200 Rama, Ontario L3V 6H6 T 705.325.3611 F 705.325.0879 A Proud Progressive First Nation Community CommunityCommunityCommuCommunity Biindigen Welcome
ChiefMiigwech,Ted Williams, Rama First Nation c. RamaCouncilPowwow Committee
Aaniin Boozhoo Kina Wiya,
On behalf of Council, it is with great excitement that I welcome you back to the Rama Powwow. This weekend is for all of us to celebrate being together. Thank you to the Powwow committee, staff, and volunteers who have all worked very hard and put in the time on planning, preparing and putting on this year’s powwow. This weekend is truly a reflection of the care you have for this community. Thank you to the elders, veterans, drummers, singers, dancers, and all of the families who continue to carry and pass on our culture with the next generation. Thank you to all of the food vendors, crafters, and information tables for bringing your very best to the commu nity. Thank you to all of this weekend’s event sponsors for helping make Rama Powwow one of the loudest, and proudest. Finally, we would like to acknowledge all of the ones who have gone before us and made contributions to the Rama Powwow, as their memory and impacts continue to be felt today. We welcome you all to celebrate and enjoy a fun and safe powwow weekend with friends and family.
We are fortunate to have such a beautiful place to host the Rama Powwow as well as many community events throughout the year. Gchi Miigwech to Rama Chief and Council and all the departments and staff for making the vision a reality.
This is a weekend about celebrating First Nations culture and history. Whether it’s your first Rama Powwow or your 37th please enjoy your time with us. Listen to those ancient songs and watch the beauti ful dancing, visit our food and craft vendors, re-connect with old friends or make some new ones, and enjoy every moment. This is a special
Aaniin, Boozhoo, and welcome to the 2022 Rama First Nation Powwow. Miigwech for choosing to spend your week end with us. We are proud to be one of the biggest and best powwows in Ontario. Last year, we held a small community powwow with some online contests. Although it was a success and we were proud to be able to hold a powwow despite COVID-19, it simply wasn’t the same. We missed the big Rama Powwow we all know and love. We are so thrilled to once again welcome the world to Rama, and we hope you have an amazing weekend with us. This weekend, you will get to see and hear some of the best powwow dancers and singers on Turtle Island. The singers will be competing for one of the biggest drum contest prizes in ontario, with first place receiving $10,000. Many of our dancers are also in competition for cash prizes, while others dance simply for the love of danc ing. We have specials lined up, including the ever-popular hand drum special.
The Rama Powwow simply would not be possible without the support of Rama Chief and Council, the Powwow Committee and our volunteers. As Rama’s biggest event of the year, with over 4,000 people attending, there is a tremendous amount of planning and work involved. Much of the work happens months in advance of powwow. Booking our world class line-up of head staff, obtaining sponsorships, renting tents and portapotties, organizing the feast, and creating this powwow guide are just some of the many jobs that are taken up duti fully by the Powwow Committee. It truly is a team effort. Gchi Miigwech to the Pow wow Committee, our volunteers, head staff, drummers, dancers, vendors, and specta tors for making Rama Powwow the best powwow around!
The Rama Powwow continues here at the John Snake Memorial Multipurpose Community Grounds. Every year, we continue to improve the grounds to work towards the original vision of John Snake’ban and the Powwow Committee.
TheMiigwech,weekend.PowwowCommittee
Welcome to Rama Powwow
6:00AM Sunrise Ceremony at the Powwow Grounds 11:45AM Drum Roll Call 12:00PM Grand ExhibitionIntertribalsEntry- Tiny Tots Contest - Golden Age Contest - Juniors ContestJingleIntertribalsExhibitionTeens-AdultsDressSpecial 5:00PM Supper Break 7:00PM Grand Entry 7:30PM Woodland Special - First Round Community Member Special 8:00PM Intertribals 8:30PM Exhibition - Golden Age Exhibition - Juniors Exhibition - Teens Contest - Adults Hand Drum Contest - First Round Intertribals Weekend Schedule 12:15PM Drum Roll Call 12:30PM Grand Entry 1:00PM Intertribals 1:30PM Exhibition - Tiny Tots Contest - Golden Age Contest - Juniors Contest - Teens Contest- Adults 3:00PM Intertribals 3:20PM Woodland Special - Second Round Hand Drum Contest - Second Round 5:00PM Retiring of AnnouncementFlags of Winners Giveaway Sunday August 28th 2022 Saturday August 27th 2022 *Please note, the only firm times are the times for Grand Entry. Other times and order of events are subject to change. The emcees will provide updates as the day moves along.
JerelMiigwech,(Jerry) Swamp Chief of Police Rama Police Service
OnAaniin,behalf of the staff and crews of Rama Fire & Rescue Services, I am pleased to welcome you and your families to the 2022 Chippewas of Rama First Nation Powwow. Rama Fire & Rescue Services provides full-time 24 hour fire and emergency coverage to members and guests in Rama First Nation. Please drop by our booth and see a fire truck, or stop by the fire hall at 7454 Williams Road and one of our firefighters will take you on a tour of our facilities. We hope you have a safe time as you enjoy our annual powwow.
RamaOperationsHarriMiigwech,anything.HamalainenManagerParamedicServices
WelcomeAaniin, to the Rama First Nation 2022 Annual Powwow. Rama Paramedic Services are here to keep you safe while you enjoy Rama’s 37th Powwow. We are proud to have highly trained Paramedics to provide high level pre-hospital care for our community and visi tors. Our Paramedics serve the community work 24 hours 7 days a week, as well as some home visits to check on our community members that are in need. We are available to serve our community and its visitors. If you have a medical emergency please dial 9-1-1 and ask for an ambulance. Please en joy the Powwow safely and feel free to visit our first aid booth by our ambulance should you need
Welcome from Emergency
On behalf of the men and women of the Rama Police Service, I am pleased to welcome you to the Chippewas of Rama First Nation while joining us for the 2022 Annual Powwow. Our officers patrol the community on a 24/7 basis and are here to ensure everyone’s safe ty and security. If you require an officer, call 1-888-310-1122 or dial 9-1-1 in an emergency. Have a safe & enjoyable weekend.
Services
DirectorJeremyMiigwech,ParkinofEmergency Services/Fire Chief
Rama
As far back as we can remember the Chippewas of Rama First Nation has been a meeting place for visitors. We are a community that is known for its hospitality; from the earli est explorers, to the fall fairs in the 1920’s. From the powwow under the big tent at the Rama Ball Field, to the competition pow-wows at the MASK arena, our community continues to enjoy being a host to the many guests who frequent our community on a daily basis. In the early 1970’s, there was no song and dance happen ing in Rama First Nation and no sign of local powwows in the surrounding area.
Powwow: Also known as the “sharing powwow”. This powwow, like a traditional powwow, also of fers honorariums to all participating drummers, singers, and dancers. Like a competition powwow, ‘Specials’ (songs and dances for prize money) are sometimes performed.
Emerson also recalls how Rama had al ways been noted for its hospital ity. In 1977, with the support of Rama First Nation band members, the nualheldcommunityitsfirstanThanksgiving Powwow at Victoria Park. “It was a real community event [and] there was a lot of volunteerism at that time.” For gen erations people have gathered at Rama, particularly in the autumn or harvest months, to celebrate, socialize, eat, and have fun together. The following year, the entire community and the Social Services Department got involved in what was then a non-competition powwow held every Thanks giving weekend. The Old Mall, which now houses Casino Rama Administrative Offices, Victoria Park, the ball field at Rama, and the Orillia Roller Skating Place were all used as venues for the annual powwow. In 1986, the Rama Powwow again made another transfor mation as a result of a ‘Social Recreation Needs Assess ment’ (SRNA) the first Community Visioning Process, which began in 1983 and extended into 1985. The community was canvassed in what was referred to as ‘Kitchen Dialogue’ by former Chief Ted Williams who held leadership dur ing this time. Members of the SRNA committee went to each household to ask a series of questions and sit in the kitchen (a place of comfort) to discuss the people’s dreams and aspirations that they had for the community. “Many of the success’s we find we have today have come from these kitchen table discussion,” relates Ted Williams. “Powwow was part of that talk and some members of the community built on this.”
Emerson Benson, Co-founder of the Chippewas of Rama First Nation Thanksgiving Powwow, was working at the Native Canadian Centre in Toronto and had been surrounded by drumming and dancing on a weekly basis. Being inspired to bring back tradition in his own com munity, he said “I’m from the area, there’s nothing going on, so hey let’s try it”.
Over the years, Rama First Nation has witnessed an ex ponential growth of the powwow, which was once mainly a small event where about a dozen community veterans would attend along with guests from Walpole, Wiky, Sarnia, and even Milwaukee. Now a competition powwow, the event has grown substan tially, hosting between 3000 and 5000 visitors each year. It is an honour to have so many guests visit Rama to take part in the event which has been part of the community’s culture for several decades and continues to evolve. Had it not been for the indomitable will of a few individuals in the 1970’s, we would not be celebrating so many years of powwow at the Chippewas of Rama First Nation.
Powwow 101: History and Types of Powwows
Powwow: A time to send prayer to our Mother Earth. We send our prayers through the dance and move ments of our feet. This powwow focuses on taking care of creation and all our relations. This powwow also offers honorariums to all drummers, singers, and dancers ensur ing that they walk away with something to help them get back home and to give thanks for the blessings they have offered the host community through song and dance. It is usually free for visiting spectators to attend these powwows. It is rare for a ‘Special’ to be performed at these powwows. Specials are dances and songs that are performed for prize Non-Competitionmoney.
Types of Powwows All powwows practice the four virtues of Honour, Respect, Generosity and Kindness. Each powwow has its importance and they are all equal to each other. They are celebrations and social events where everyone is welcome participate, have fun and give thanks for the blessings we receive. Each type of powwow is a little different than the next, but they all share the same underlying values and traditions.
The 1986 Powwow was organized by Emerson Benson, James Simcoe, Aaron Benson, Ned Benson and Scott Snache.
with information provided by John Snake’ban, Vicki Snache, James Simcoe, and Ryan Stiles, 2013
Competition Powwow: A dance and drum contest event for prizes. These powwows give dancers and singers the oppor tunity to be the best that they can be, much like the Olym pics. Categories for dance contests are determined by age and dance style. Rama First Nation recognizes all tiny tots (0-5) as winners. As such, we do not have competition for them. Instead, they receive an honorarium for their partici pation and are encouraged for their interest in dancing as a leisure activity. Any dancers who do not wish to enter into contest are still welcome participants during all intertribal Traditionalsongs.
The second song we hear at a powwow is the flag song. Once all the dancers have entered the dance area after grand entry, the flag song is “sent up” to acknowl edge our Eagle Staff and memory of our past and present veterans. A flag song is given the same respect as a Na tional Anthem. After the flag song, eagle staff and flag car riers are introduced during the posting of the colours. This honors all warriors and veterans of the past and present for the sacrifices they have made. This is a moment of respect given to those who gave the ultimate sacrifice. During this time, we remember and honour them.
Invocation: Ancestral teachings tell us that prayer is what comes first for anything in life. As such, we will begin our event with an invocation. This blessing is brought by a re spected elder of the community. Whistles: Wooden, copper, and silver whistles may be heard at the powwow. They are sometimes used by whistle carriers for the purpose of keeping a song going during social events like a powwow. Some whistle carriers have Eagle bone whistles which are generally used for ceremo nial purposes, by those who have been given the honour to carry Giveaway:them.We provide gifts as a way of giving thanks. The powwow giveaway is how the Chippewas of Rama First Na tion offers thanks to visitors for coming to dance and sing on behalf of our community. Pow-wow singers and danc ers perform for various reasons: for the blessings they have received, to dance for someone who is ill, or for those who cannot dance. Dancers and singers also perform out of joy, for good health, and happiness. When spectators enjoy the sights and sounds of a powwow, they have an opportunity to feel blessed by receiving a release of any trials or nega tivity; thus the opportunity to feel good takes its place. The giveaway is also a means of thanking dancers and singers for all of the good feelings that they brought and for hon ouring a host community with their visit.
Grand Entry Song: The Grand Entry song is the first song that brings in the spirit and sets the tone of the day. This is when a procession of all dancers enter the dance arena according to dance style and age. Eagle staffs, flag carri ers, veterans and dignitaries lead the way during the grand Flagentry.Song:
Grand Entry: This is the time when all dancers line up by dance style and age to enter the powwow arena. The com munity Eagle Staffs lead the way. Following Eagle Staffs are the Canadian and American flags, Veterans flags, visiting eagle staffs, Missing In Action flags, Union Jack, the On tario Flag, and any other visiting flags to the community. Veterans will usually carry flags. Often, Chief and Council, and other special invited guests, will be asked to be part of Grand Entry. It is customary to stand and remove your hat during the Grand Entry.
Honour Song: These are songs that are requested to hon our someone; for example, a son returned from war or in memory of a relative that has passed on. Honour songs are usually requested prior to the powwow. These are also sung for the accomplishments of community members and can also be requested to welcome people home. Inter tribals: Once the grand entry and opening ceremonies are finished, the Master of Ceremonies will call the drums to offer songs in the way of ‘inter-tribals’, which mean everyone can dance: wearing regalia or not. These songs are open to all and give the drums an opportunity to sing. Inter-tribal means all inclusive. People of any age and every ethnicity, religious or spiritual belief, and cultural back ground are invited to dance.
Sneak-up: This is a specialty or exhibition dance. where male Traditional dancers tell a story of sneaking up on game or simulate a confrontation with an enemy. The sneak up also represents storming the shores of Norman dy, in WWII.
Songs and Dances Songs are a mixture of chanting and language and they tell a story of our past. Like several cultures around the world, our songs and dances act as a filing cabinet. They repre sent a living past and tell us stories of our life and history. Each song and dance has its very own unique meaning and Carriersimportance.ofsongs are a type of historian, in that the singer not only carries the song, but also the origin and signifi cance of it. Although First Nation music is vast and predates written history, many songs and dances were hidden away during a time in which our ancestors were not allowed to practice their culture and heritage. Today, several songs and dances that were hidden away have slowly made their way back into dance or powwow arenas. Just as song is a way to send prayers to creator and creation, dance is a way to send prayers to mother earth, through our feet.
Chicken Dance: This dance imitates the mating dance of the bird. It reflects how the male bird seeks the attention of the female.
Snake dance, Smoke dance, Switch dance, Clown dance, Crow Hop, Round Dance, Blanket Dance, and Jingle Dress Dance are just a few more that have been performed at the Chippewas of Rama First Nation Powwow. Each one has its own unique significance and purpose. The Master of Ceremonies at a powwow will usually explain songs and dances in more depth. There are countless songs and dances that one can enjoy along the powwow trail. Keep an eye (and ear) out for all the different kinds today!
Powwow 101: Traditions, Songs, and Dances
Powwow Traditions
Dunk and Dive: A warrior dance that represents our war riors charging onto enemy or prey. It is a story of how they came to be victorious re-enacting the battle or hunt.
Rama Powwow Head Staff
Head Veteran: Walker Stonefish Aanii, My name is Walker Stonefish, I was honorably asked to serve your community as Head Veteran for this year’s annual Pow-wow. I am from Walpole Island by way of Moraviantown First Nations, Lenape/Pottawatomi First nations. I served in the United States Marine Corp. Born and raised in the beautiful Pow-wow circle. I have also raised my children in this way of life. Looking forward to seeing old friends & meeting new ones. Safe travels everyone!
Arena Director: Allan Manitowabi Allan J. Manitowabi (Bear Clan) of Beausoleil First Nation comes to us originally from Wikwemikong First Nation, Manitoulin Island. Presently, he is living with his family on beautiful Christian Island (Beausoleil First Nation) where he is married, has two children, and five grandchildren. He has served his community in various capacities in Culture, Recreation, Health and is currently the Fire Chief. His outstanding career in the field of Fire & Emergency services is evident in that he has over 30 years as a volunteer and is a real advocate in fire prevention and education for First Nations and the Ontario region. He has received many awards and commendations including a Lifetime Achievement Award. Allan has travelled across Turtle Island and is known by many on the powwow trail. Allan has been on the powwow trail for over 49 years as an Emcee, Singer, Fancy Dancer, and Arena Director. He shares many stories of song and dance, and brings a wealth of knowledge, respect and honour to our pow wow celebration.
John “Meegwans” Snake is an Ojibwe-Bodewadomi, Turtle clan, from Aamjiwnaang First Nation. He currently resides in Peterborough, Ontario with his wife and children. He is a proud father of four, whom he travels with to various powwows throughout Canada and the United States. Meegwans has been a singer for 35+ years and has been fulfilling duties as Master of Ceremonies and Arena Direc tor at various celebrations within the powwow world. Meegwans is grateful for the teachings he has received from his father and many adopted uncles and grandfathers which has allowed him to main tain proper etiquette and protocols within our celebrations.
MC: John “Meegwans” Snake
MC: Beendigaygizhig Deleary Biindigegizhig (Biin) Deleary is Anishinabe from the Loon Clan, currently residing in Walpole Island First Nation. Engaged since birth in Anishinabe spiritual and cultural practices, Biin has made it his lifework, assisting the lives of Indigenous people through the promotion of Anishinabe ways of know ing and being. Biindigegizhig is requested throughout the Great Lakes region as a recognized cultural and spiritual practitioner. In his professional career, Biindigegizhig works as a consultant, providing his expertise to supporting Indigenous Communities in project-based initiatives. Utilizing Indigenous approaches and pedagogy, combined with academic experience, Biindigegizhig brings a unique and innovative approach to every project. Since a young age, Biindigegizhig has been a part of the Pow Wow circle, dancing and singing at Pow Wow’s throughout North America. Today, with his wife and four children, they travel extensively every year to Pow Wows and Communities in which they haven’t been, meeting new friends and learning about the traditions of those Communities!
Dance Judge: Wesley Cleland My name is Wesley Cleland, I am turtle clan of the Ojibway Nation. I grew up in Pontiac, Michigan, but now reside in Wikwemikong, Ontario with my wife and 5 children. I have been dancing all of my life traveling across turtle Island. It is with great honor that I am to serve as your head dance judge this weekend. Miigwetch Singing Judge: Rodney Stanger Rodney Stanger is (Eagle Clan) from Timiskaming First Nation, Quebec, in Algonquin territory. Cur rently Rodney is living in Shawanaga First Nations with his fiance Danielle, and their 4 children. For the past 9 years Rodney Stanger has been working for the Near North school board where he teaches junior k to grade 12 students about native culture, native history, and the drum. Rodney Stanger has been a well-respected singer for over 30 years on the pow-wow trail. Over the years Rodney has sang with some of the most respected drums in POW wow country like Whitetail Cree, Midnite Express, and Grammy nominated Bear Creek singers drum group from Sault Saint Marie, Ontario. Some of the groups achievements include, 2 Canadian Aboriginal people choice awards, Gathering of nations singing championships, Juno award, numerous singing championships, and also have been part of 2 Grammy award winning CD’s.
Rama Powwow runs smoothly throughout the day thanks to these six “Head Staff”. Gchi Miigwech to our Head Staff for making Rama Powwow one of the best!
Powwow 101: Types of Powwow Dances
In North America there are many different na tions, each with their own unique dance tradi tions and styles. Throughout history we have adopted, purchased, and traded with each other’s dance styles and traditional regalia. Dancing is a physical expression through movement of how we feel. There are some dances that originated from ceremony and have been brought into our social powwow arena, for many different reasons. Dance is a celebration of life, but also, dance has a healing power. Many powwows will hold “specials” which showcase other traditional dance styles from around North America. Here are some dance styles that you may see at our powwow:
Men’s Fancy: These dancers depict a faster movement which is much like that of horses. The regalia includes bustles, moccasins, cuffs, and headbands and often have bells on their ankles. A crowd favourite, the fancy dances are fast and furious examples of technique and conditioning.
Men’s Grass: The dance steps are fast and con sist of sweeping movements. The sway of the grasses in the wind is symbolized through the grass dancers regalia and movements. The regalia is decorated with brightly colored fringes made of yarn or Woodland:ribbon.This style of dancing is said to represent an old style of the Ojibwe, Pottawatomi, and Odawa nations, otherwise known as the Anishi naabe. This style does not have a bustle but there are some eagle feathers. It is a gentleman’s dance where the dancer floats upon the earth in a very natural way. The regalia beadwork represents nature and is often decorated with flowers which is a traditional beadwork style. Keep an eye out for all of these styles of dances this weekend! with information provided by John Snake’ban, Vicki Snache, James Simcoe, and Ryan Stiles, 2013
Women’s Jingle Dress: Originally part of ceremony, and adopted into powwow tradition. This dance style is for healing. Jingle dresses are accompanied with moccasins and leggings, and hair ornaments. The dresses are often decorated with ribbon work and sometimes feathers and plumes. Jingle dancers may carry an eagle fan.
Women’s Fancy Shawl: A spinoff of women’s traditional. This is a young person’s dance because of its high energy and fast intricate physical dance steps. The regalia is made up of a cloth dress, leggings, and moccasins and a fringed shawl. The dance style of Fancy Shawl is sometimes compared to the butterfly.
Women’s Traditional: When dancing at a medium, fast, or slow pace, the feet of the women’s traditional dancer never leave the ground. Buckskin or cloth dresses are worn and decorated with beading, fringes, quillwork and other ornaments. Women “of a certain age” have earned the right to not dance quickly or in a fancy way. They take small steps.
Men’s Traditional: Through their movements, Men’s Traditional dancers tell stories of battle and hunting. The regalia is made up of a vest, belt, moccasins and cuffs. This is accompanied with a feather bustle, porcupine roaches, breast plates, war shields, bags and dance staffs.
This booklet produced by: Chippewas of Rama First Nation Heritage Place 6145 Rama Road, Rama First Nation, ON L3V 6H6 culture@ramafirstnation.ca705-325-3611
www.oscardo.com Partners with Indigenous artist since 1997 Royalties are paid for each product sold Wishing Rama First Nation a successful 2022 Pow Wow.
*The alleged surrender of the Coldwater Narrows reserve was the subject of a $307 million land claim settlement 2012. **The Williams Treaties were the subject of the 2017 Williams Treaties First Na tion Settlement Agreement, in which signatory nations were granted recogni tion of pre-treaty harvesting rights; federal and provincial apologies for the treaty; financial compensation in excess of $1 billion; and additional reserve lands.
Rama’s Chiefs, including Chief Yellowhead, went to York and signed a document, believing it would fi nalize the transfer of the land and buildings to their communities. Instead, they were misled into surren dering the land to the Crown. The Chippewas of Lakes Simcoe and Huron had few options. They petitioned in vain, before ultimately deciding to split up into three smaller communities, known today as: Chippewas of Rama, Chippewas of Georgina Island, and Beausoleil First Nation. Rama’s ancestors moved first to the Narrows before pur chasing Rama (including the land you’re on today) for $3,200, using their annuities from their War of 1812 pensions (many Rama warriors fought alongside the British in this war).
In 1923, the Williams Treaties** were signed by Rama and 6 other First Nations and the government. These treaties surrendered over 12 million acres of land including much of central and towards northern Ontario. The government interpreted the surrender to mean that we gave up our rights to hunt, fish, and harvest on the territories...that was not our ancestors’ intention. Regardless, they were now unable to prac tice their traditional way of life, something they had done for thousands of years. Our ancestors had to turn to wage earning jobs, including working as guides to tourists in Muskoka; selling crafts; and working at local timber mills. Rama was a simple and humble place for a long time. Throughout much of the 1900’s, work and money were scarce. Our people endured residential schools, the 60’s scoop, and systematic racism. We persevered. We survived.
More recently, our ancestors lived on the northern and northeastern shores of Lake Huron and Georgian Bay. During this time (around 1200-1650), the HuronWendat Nation lived in the area near modern-day Rama First Nation. It is said that our ancestors let the Wendat move into our territory as they were fleeing war further south with the Haudenosaunee people.
Our history begins like many Anishinaabeg commu nities: with a great migration. Our ancestors migrated from the east coast to inland North America, espe cially around the Great Lakes.
A Brief History of Rama First Nation
Gradually, settlement by Europeans increased. Until suddenly, settlers were everywhere. Rama’s ancestors found themselves surrounded by settlers, and were increasingly pressured by the federal government to give up their traditional ways of life. One strategy employed by the federal government was to re-locate Rama’s ancestors to one of the first “reserves” in Canada. Called the “Coldwater Narrows Experiment”, the government was attempting to curtail First Nations’ traditional hunting and gathering ways of life (as this took up lots of land), and to assim ilate First Nations into Euro-Canadian culture. Rama’s ancestors lived on this 10,000 acre reserve for about 6 years, which spanned between Coldwater and the Atherley Narrows. In 1836, the government gave up on the experiment, realizing that our ancestors remained true to their traditional ways of life. In addition, settlers began demanding the fertile land our ancestors had expertly farmed and developed (including a road which be came Highway 12).
Rama’s ancestors moved to Rama Township and be came known as the “Rama Indians”. They toiled away, farming the land, travelling to Muskoka to hunt, fish, and harvest, and dealt with the ever-changing world around them.
War between the Wendat and Haudenosaunee con tinued. After many battles, the Haudenosaunee de feated the Wendat, and the surviving Wendat fled the region forever. The Haudenosaunee took control of the area nearby (Simcoe County and much of cen tral and southern Ontario) before the Anishinaabeg came back. Many battles took place right here in and around Rama throughout the 17th and 18th centuries. The Anishinaabeg defeated the Haudeosaunee, and they then retreated back to their homeland further south. Wampum was exchanged and the two power ful nations agreed to eternal peace, which remains to this day. The Anishinaabeg, Rama’s ancestors, were in control of the area. They took control of the fur trade, and continued to demonstrate their political, war, and economic prowess.
In 1996, Casino Rama opened, and our community’s future was changed forever. Within a few years of the casino opening, Rama built an elementary school, arena, health centre, fire/police/EMS stations, band office, and more. Our community developed very Today,quickly.we are prosperous and successful. We have several exciting business ventures. We have over 100 young adults in post-secondary education. Our people have jobs and bright futures. Our culture and language is becoming revitalized. We are a proud, progressive First Nation.
PROGRESSTOCOMMITTEDPOWERINGTOGETHER We are a proud sponsor of the Rama Pow Wow
