August 22nd -23rd 2015 Program
Table of Contents Page Number 2 3 4 5 6 7-11 12 13 14 15 16 17-18 19-20 21 22 23
Content Aaniin! Welcome Message Powwow Weekend Agenda Welcome from Chief Noganosh A Message from Rama’s Emergency Services The Need-to-Knows Meet your Head Staff A Tribute to John Snake Powwow Grounds Map Local Area Information Merchandise Thumbs Up Sponsors of the 2015 Rama Powwow Photographs by Robert Snache (www.spirithands.net) Major Sponsor Casino Rama Powwow Prize Board Major Sponsor Mariposa Market
Program Information Created by the Chippewas of Rama First Nation Culture and Research Department (CARD) Mailing Address: 5884 Rama Road, Suite 200, Rama, ON L3V 6H6 Telephone: (705) 325-3611 ext. 1299 Sherry Lawson, Administrator of Heritage Services Beedahsiga Elliott, Cultural Coordinator Ben Cousineau, Audio/Visual Support, Research Wyatt Simcoe, Cultural Assistant www.ramafirstnation.ca www.facebook.com/ramapowwow 1 | 2015 Rama Powwow Guide
Welcome to the 30th Annual Chippewas of Rama First Nation Powwow! Facilities staff deserve an annual standing ovation. From those who put up and tear down fencing, to the guys who build the stage, to the ones who gather up picnic tables. We wish to acknowledge our sponsors and donors who gave us donations, goods, and gift certificates. Mariposa Market feeds our volunteers, Friends Diner feeds our guests breakfast, Leons’s Orillia donates a freezer. We as a community continue to be known for our long-standing generosity because of you.
Aaniin, boozhoo, sago, greetings: The weeks of planning are over and it is For thousands of years, this community finally powwow time! welcomed visitors from the Four Directions. Again this year, we will meet Our volunteers spend personal time to new friends and greet old ones. We ensure this weekend runs smoothly. There will share our food, songs, and stories. are so many jobs that are done by our volunteers with no brass band to announce their Thirty years ago, a small but dedicated group comings and goings: picking up garbage, launched our first powwow. Since then, many hauling water jugs, cutting up watermelon more have come to help. Miigwech James, for seniors, registering dancers, organizing Scotty, Aaron, and Emerson for your vision. giveaway gifts, replenishing toilet paper, cutting up cheese and preparing snacks, and From Tiny Tots to Golden Age, all are especialwelcoming VIPs, to name just a few. A ly welcome during inter-tribals this weekend. huge chi-miigwech to each and every volunteer. We could not do it without you. Miigwech to everyone who attends this year to help us celebrate and honour our beautiful Special thanks go out to cultural staff who went Anishinaabe language, culture, and traditions. above and beyond this year: Ben Cousineau, Beedahsiga Elliott, Jamie Wilson and Wyatt Simcoe.
Sherry L Lawson
Extra-special volunteers always willing to don a tool-belt, pick up donations, or sell tickets include James Simcoe, Larry Summerton, Dan Sherry Lawson Monague, and Anne Harrigan. The Ladies of Chippewas of Rama First Nation Finance can be counted on to man the busy Administrator of Heritage Services two gates for the weekend. Chief and Council continue to offer loads of support, both personally and financially. We are so grateful to each and every one of our dozens of helpers.
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Weekend Schedule*
Saturday August 22nd, 2015 6:13AM 12:30PM 1:00
4:00 5:00 6:30
Sunrise Ceremony at the Powwow Grounds at the Teepee Roll Call Drum Contest Grand Entry Inter-Tribal (Round 1 Drum Contest) Tiny Tots Exhibition (Round 1 Dance Contest - Adults) Contest (Round 1 Junior/Teen/Golden Age) (Drum Contest 2) Inter-Tribal 2 Hand Drum Contest Dinner Break Grand Entry Intertribals Contest Dance Team Dance Special
Sunday August 23, 2015 12:00 12:30
4:00
Roll Call Drum Contest Grand Entry Inter-Tribal Tiny Tots Exhibition Dancing Announcement of Winning Singers and Dancers Giveaway Retiring of Flags
We are being broadcast LIVE on powwows.com!
*Please note, the only firm times are Grand Entry and supper break. There may be special events and dances over the weekend which are unplanned and spontaneous. During dinner break, please browse the vendors and come back for highly competitive dancing under the lights!
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Welcome from Chief Noganosh
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Welcome from Our Emergency Services On behalf of the men and women of the Rama Police Service, I am pleased to extend this welcome to you while joining us for the 2015 Annual Powwow. Our officers patrol the community on a 24/7 basis and are here to ensure everyone’s safety and security. If you require an officer, call 1-888-310-1122 or dial 9-1-1 in an emergency. John C. Domm, M.O.M., BAA, MA, CMMIII Chief of Police Rama Police Service On behalf of the members of the Rama Fire & Rescue Services, I am pleased to welcome you and your families to the 2015 Chippewas of Rama First Nation Powwow. Rama Fire & Rescue Services provides full-time 24 hour fire and emergency coverage to members of Rama and our guests. Please don’t hesitate to drop by our 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. Michael French Fire Chief/CEMC, CMM III, CFEI, CFII Fire Suppression Professional Fire Prevention Professional Emergency Management Professional Aaniin and welcome to the Rama First Nation 2015 Annual powwow. Rama Paramedic Services are happy to keep you safe while you enjoy Rama’s 30th powwow. We are proud to have one of the highest skill sets for Primary Care Paramedics in Ontario to assist in providing the highest level of pre-hospital care for our community and visitors. Our Paramedics service the community on a 24 hour 7 day a week basis as well as we do some routine home visits to check on our community members that are in need. We are always here to lend a hand to our community and its visitors. If you have a medical emergency please dial 9-1-1 and ask for an ambulance. Please enjoy the Powwow safely and feel free to visit our first aid booth should you need anything. Just look for our ambulance. Carrie Hassberger Chief of Paramedic Services Rama Paramedic Services
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The Need-to-Knows Designated Smoking Area Initiative The Chippewas of Rama First Nation Powwow Committee have decided that, due to health concerns and appreciation for all of our guests, dancers, and drummers, we will create a designated smoking area at this year’s powwow. When on the powwow grounds, we kindly ask that you restrict your smoking to designated smoking areas. These areas will be identified by maps in your powwow program, as well as on-site signage.
New this year: Official Rama First Nation Powwow Merchandise The Powwow Committee is very excited to announce that we are selling Official Rama First Nation Powwow Merchandise.
Available are hoodies, t-shirts (both in a variety of sizes), sunglasses, and plastic reusable mason jars. Some of the merchandise features the logo you see on the cover of the powwow program, designed by Rama’s very own Nancy King (find her on Instagram @chiefladybird). Swing by the Merch Tent to pick up something soon - demand is high and Water Bottle-free Initiative Another new initiative undertaken by the everything is sure to sell out very quickly! Chippewas of Rama First Nation Powwow Committee concerns water bottles. Every Powwow Agenda year, long after our many guests, dancers, and Our agenda is a loose, informal schedule drummers have set off towards home, our for the weekend. As is custom at powwows, volunteers spend hours cleaning up the special events may pop up and some dances powwow grounds. What we have noticed is may run longer than others. Please listen to that there are an incredible amount of wa- the MCs, as they will keep the crowd up to ter bottles used over the course of the pow- date in regards to what is happening next. wow weekend. In order to do our part to reduce our carbon footprint, saving water After supper break on Saturday evening, bottles from a landfill and thus helping cre- Grand Entry begins at 6:30PM, leading into ate a more sustainable environment, the 2015 a highly-competitive night of dancing. Some Rama Powwow will adopt a water bottle-free of the best dancing of the weekend will policy. We have asked all vendors to avoid occur then, so we highly encourage guests to selling bottled water, and the powwow com- stick around. During supper break (provided mittee will not be giving away bottled water. to dancers and singers), we recommend our In lieu of water sales, we will have hydration guests visit some of the many vendors - you will find some delicious food and amazing, stations set up around the powwow grounds, unique works by talented artists and artisans. where you can fill your own reusable water bottle, free of charge. Miigwech (thank you), and enjoy the weekend!
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Head Staff
Host Drum
Charging Horse Singers is a 1st generation contemporary drum group from the Central Ontario region of Canada. Many First Nations tribes sit around the Charging Horse Drum with each tribe bringing a unique sound and style to the powwow trail. Charging Horse Singers was established in 2013 after an amalgamation of local groups in the Central Ontario area. A contemporary drum group with a unique blend of traditional roots complemented by contemporary singing practices, the group is greatly influenced by many Nations around the drum. Charging Horse Singers strives to produce the highest quality powwow singing that they can, constantly improving their repertoire so they remain new and fresh, wherever they go. 7 | 2015 Rama Powwow Guide
Head Staff Guest Drum The singing group Snake Island was formed in the late summer of 1998 by the father/ son combo (the late) John Snake Sr. and John “Meeg” Snake Jr. After John Sr. decided to retire the drum name “Otonabee”, he encouraged his son Meeg to start up his own drum group and that’s what he did with the help and guidance of his father. Over the years, some singers have come and gone but the main core of childhood friends/ brothers have remained along with their fathers and uncles. Snake Island has been very fortunate to have numerous, well respected singers/elders to teach and influence the group in a good way. Snake Island takes pride in keeping some of the “Goldie Oldies” songs alive, weekend after weekend, as well as pulling out a new original song as often as possible. Aho. Miigwetch!
Master of Ceremonies Vince Beyl of Bemidji, Minnesota, is an enrolled member of the White Earth Nation Ojibway Tribe of Minnesota and is currently the Director of Indian Education in the Bemidji Public Schools. He is a United States Marine Corps veteran who served in Vietnam from 1970-71. He was a member of the Red Earth Singers from Tama, Iowa, who was a champion singing drum group in the 70s and early 80s, and travelled all over the United States and Canada. Before picking up the mike and announcing, he was a traditional dancer and competed and travelled to many champion powwows throughout the US and Canada. As an educator he has had the great honour and privilege to work with American Indians of all ages in promoting educational opportunities, personal enhancement, and spiritual growth among Native students. His strong beliefs of perpetuating individual success, nurturing spiritual values, encouraging tribal advancement and promoting positive change among Indian people have been a consistent message in Native communities and at powwows throughout North America for many years. “I would like to thank the Rama First Nation Powwow Committee for inviting me to be one of your announcers for this year’s celebration along with the rest of your head staff. We all are looking forward to enjoying ourselves and having a great time at your celebration. Miigwech!!!!!!!!”
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Head Staff
Master of Ceremonies
Allan J. Manitowabi of Beausoleil First Nation (Bear Clan) 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 powwow celebration.
Arena Director
Amos Key Jr of Six Nations carries the Spiritual name of Taehowenhs and is a Gayogohono’, a member of the Mohawk Nation of Six Nations at Grand River, Brantford, Ontario. He was born into the Turtle Clan of his mother. Born in the USA, in nearby New York state, he was raised at his ancestral home at Grand River, where he was educated and lived among the languages of his parents, Amos Sr., and Reta, who spoke four of the Six Nation languages plus English. Amos was steeped in his Longhouse Spiritual Tradition and was elevated to the level of ‘Faith Keeper’ for his people. For decades he was given a formal education from the wisdom of his eloquent Elders, Parents, Uncles, Grandparents and five siblings and was groomed to be a staunch defender and advocate for his Onkwehonweh people. Amos spends many volunteer hours on many local, regional and provincial Boards and Foundations including, the Ontario Trillium Foundation. Balancing his professional and volunteer career are his spiritual and artistic virtues and intelligences providing the energy for a healthy ‘artistic alter ego’…. wherein he sings, dances and plays. For the past 40 years, he could be found leading the Mens Traditional Dance tradition at powwows around the Great Lakes. Now Amos dances in the new Mens Golden Age category when time allows. Today, many communities seek his knowledge, leadership and advice in the Pow wow Traditions and often invite him to work with them at their annual celebrations as a Head Judge or Arena Director. His working motto is simple: “We all need to help and become the architects of our destiny in our communities and for our First Peoples by leading, by following or, by simply getting out of the way to let the others through…” 9 | 2015 Rama Powwow Guide
Singing Judge
Head Staff
Gary Parker of the Tonawanda Reservation Sge:noh, my name is Gary Parker and I am Onan’dowa’ga (Seneca) from the Tonawanda Seneca Territory in New York State. The Seneca Nation is part of the Six Nations Confederacy, also known as the Iroquois Confederacy or Haudenosaunee People (People of the Longhouse).
I have been singing in the Longhouse since my early childhood but have also been singing at powwows since my early teens. I have had the opportunity to sing with many different Drum groups throughout the years as well as I have travelled extensively throughout Turtle Island (North America) singing at powwow celebrations as well as Round Dances. I am currently working with First Nations youth providing traditional teachings as well as providing culturally based educational services to the mainstream. It is a great honour to be asked to work with the Rama Community and serve as the Head Drum Judge for this year’s celebration. Nyaweh/ Thank you.
Dance Judge
Wesley Cleland of Pontiac, Michigan “Boozhoo, it is an honour to be serving as your head dance judge this weekend. My family and I have been travelling across Indian Country dancing for as long as I can remember. I have danced traditional and grass but for the past 20 plus years I have danced the men’s fancy style. I dance at powwows to be around friends and family but also to meet new friends. My goal this weekend is to do my best to provide everyone with a fair and honest competition. So enjoy and jam out!”
POWWOW 101 Don’t forget to grab your Powwow 101 booklet, on sale around the powwow grounds for $5. Powwow 101 offers an in-depth look at powwow history, protocols, and styles of dances. This guide was written by various contributors from Rama First Nation, and published by the Rama First Nation Culture and Research Department (CARD).
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Head Veteran
Head Staff
Gerry Dore of Ottawa, ON has been a long-standing friend of the First Nations people as well as both past and present veterans from the Chippewas of Rama First Nation. Currently residing in Ottawa, Gerry joined the military early in life and served with the Royal Canadian Army Service Corps until 1965.
Mr. Dore remained with the Reserve Forces until 1976. At that time, he became Deputy Commander of the Cadet Corps. Mr. Dore has been a member of the Royal Canadian Legion for over 45 years, having joined in 1967. During these 45+ years, Mr. Dore has held many positions including Poppy Trust Fund Chairman, Veterans Services Officer, and Long Term Care Surveyor with Veterans Affairs Canada. Mr. Dore is also a member of the National Aboriginal Veterans Association. In May of 2012, he was presented with the Queens Jubilee Medal for his outstanding work. Mr. Dore is a caring and passionate individual who has worked hard for many years with both First Nations and non-First Nations military.
Head Veteran
Barbara Whitehead O’Rourke is an enrolled member of the Fort Peck Assiniboine & Sioux Tribe in Montana. Barbara was born and raised in the Great City of Chicago. Her mother is from Wisconsin and her father is from Nebraska.
Barbara joined the United States Marine Corps in September of 1983 on the Delayed Entry Program. She was then stationed in Parris Island, South Carolina; Fort Lee, Virginia; Okinawa, Japan; Camp LeJeune, North Carolina; and Vieques, Puerto Rico. Barbara saw active duty from January 1984 through January 1988. Barbara began working for the Social Security Administration in July 1991, thus giving her 28 years of Government Service. Barbara has attended powwows in the United States and Canada. Although she much rather prefers to attend powwows to visit with friends and listen to good music, Barbara has competed and placed in several contest powwows as a fancy shawl dancer. Barbara has been given the honour of being the caretaker of the Chicago American Indian Community Eagle Feather Staff. The Eagle Staff has always been a part of the Chicago American Indian Community. Andrew Aitken, a Chippewa from Minnesota, made it in the 1960s. When he had taken ill, he entrusted it to the Winnebago Club of Chicago. The feathers were donated by community members. We are honoured to have Barbara Whitehead O’Rourke attend the 30th Annual Chippewas of Rama First Nation Powwow. 11 | 2015 Rama Powwow Guide
A Tribute to John Snake
J
ohn Snake’s day job was as Cultural Coordinator for the Chippewas of Rama, but he was much more than that. He passed on to the Spirit World in January of 2014. John was well-known throughout all of Turtle Island as a singer, pow wow dancer and protocol expert. He sang at many drums with many different people of all ages. He spent time with the young people of Rama from the youngest in day care to the teenagers at MKES patiently teaching them about their beautiful culture. He mentored many, was a teacher to all, and left an enduring mark on people from all walks of life. His funeral was attended by approximately 700 people and men jostled for a spot around the big drum when that Honour song was sung. John was a walking talking filing cabinet of songs and stories. He was fiercely proud and protective of his community of Rama and made sure to remind us to continue to pray for our leadership, who have difficult work to do. He was truly beloved by politicians, professors, reporters, police officers, teachers, five-year-olds, elders, pre-teen hand-drummers and so many others. We continue to miss him and will continue to honour his memory by continuing his work by keeping our Anishinaabe language, ceremonies and cultural teachings and the powwow tradition alive.
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Local Area Information
Rama First Nation, formerly Mnjikaning First Nation, is a small community of about
Where can I find an ATM? There is an ATM in the Scotiabank adjacent to the powwow grounds. There is also an ATM in the Rama Country Market gas bar next door to the powwow grounds. In addition, there are several ATMs located on the Casino Rama gaming floor. While in the Casino, be sure to check out The Gathering Place, a great shop with a wide variety of gifts and goods!
1900 people. We are a proud, progressive First Nation which hosts Casino Rama as well as other businesses such as Ojibway Bay Marina and the Mnjikaning Arena Sports Ki (MASK) Our biggest event of the year is this weekend’s Powwow. We’re thrilled you are able to join us. You may be unfamiliar with the Rama area. As such, we have tried to an- Where are the washrooms? swer some questions you may have below. There are portable washrooms located around the powwow grounds, including Where is the nearest hospital? handicapped washrooms and hand wash staThe nearest hospital is Soldiers’ Memorial tions. For exact locations, please refer to the Hospital, located at 170 Colborne Street West powwow grounds map in this guide (next in Orillia. There is a 24 hour emergency ward page), or find one of our many volunteers. there. To get there, follow Rama Road 44 to Highway 12-N (towards Orillia). Turn right at I’m hurt or sick. Where can I find help? Highway 12-N. Follow Highway 12-N for about Rama First Nation’s excellent Paramedic Ser5km. Pass over the Atherley Narrows bridge vices are on site and ready to assist. Please refer (observe the Mnjikaning Fish Weirs on your to the map on the previous page to see where right!). On your way to the hospital you’ll see they are located, or ask a powwow volunteer landmarks such as Tudhope Park on the right (identifiable by their yellow volunteer shirts) to and KFC on the left. Highway 12-N turns into call paramedics. Atherley road and then Front Street. Continue on Front Street. Turn left onto Colborne Street Is there anywhere nearby to eat? East. Follow Colborne Street East for 1km. Firstly, there are all kinds of food vendors Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital is the big build- here, and all are happy to serve you. We ing located on the right with the big “H” on it. encourage you to support our vendors, many of whom work hard on the powwow trail. Rama Where is the nearest pharmacy? has a Subway restaurant adjacent to the Rama The nearest pharmacy is Ben’s Pharmacy, locat- Country Market. There is a great diner in Orillia ed at 5884 Rama Road (right next to Scotiabank, called Friend’s Diner (Tues-Sun, 7-2), specialadjacent to the powwow grounds). There is also izing in breakfast! They’re at 400 Laclie Street. a Shoppers Drug Mart at 70 Front Street in Oril- Mariposa Market (7-6) is another great option, lia (follow above hospital directions, but con- with so much to choose from in a beautiful, histinue to 70 Front Street), open 8AM-midnight. toric building. You can find them in Orillia at 109 Mississauga Street East. Theos Eatery in Are there hotels nearby? Orillia makes arguably the world’s best baked The nearest hotels are the Casino Rama pastas and caesar salads! You can find them Hotel across the road, and Days Inn Rama at 214 Memorial Avenue, open until 11PM. about 500M south of the powwow grounds. Due to the busy nature of the weekend, you If you have any questions or require any may need to seek accommodations in Orillia. assistance, please find one of our Powwow volunteers. 14 | 2015 Rama Powwow Guide
Get your merch! On sale today and tomorrow are official Rama Powwow Merchandise! We have a variety of items available. Visit the merch tent to find hoodies, T-shirts, reusable plastic mason jars (fill for free!), sunglasses, Powwow 101 booklet, and 4 Colours flags. Some of the items feature the newly-designed Rama Powwow logo, and are a great souvenir of the 30th Annual Rama Powwow!
We are live on Powwows.com! For the first time ever, the Rama First Nation Powwow is being streamed live on the internationally renowned website, Powwows.com. This means that people all over the world are tuning into the powwow! As a result, you may appear in the livestream feeds. We will primarily be focussing on the dancing, but our camera operator(s) may occasionally focus on crowds. For those interested, we will be making the livestream feed available after the powwow. Please be sure to tell your friends who can’t be here this weekend that they can watch us online at Powwows.com! You can also follow along on your smartphone! Remember, you can find us on Facebook at www.facebook. com/RamaPowWow. We’re also on Twitter @ramapowwow. “Like” and “Follow” us for year-round updates, news, and best of all, pictures and videos of past and present Rama Powwows! 15 | 2015 Rama Powwow Guide
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Gchi-Miigwech to all of our 2015 Sponsors!
Silverado Sheriff 705-329-2000
20 Mulcahy Ct. West Ridge Place jimwilsonchevrolet.com 17 | 2015 Rama Powwow Guide
Gchi-Miigwech to all of our 2015 Sponsors!
Mkwa (Bear) Level Sponsor
Ma’iingan (Wolf ) Level Sponsor
Mik(Beaver) Level Sponsor The Bartleman Family
Cornucopia Catering Ron and Leanne Douglas Spirithands Photography (www.spirithands.net)
Councillor Gina Genno Keesic Douglas (www.keesic.com)
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Photographs by Robert Snache at www.spirithands.net 19 | 2015 Rama Powwow Guide
Photographs by Robert Snache at www.spirithands.net
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Miigwech for attending the 30th Annual Rama First Nation Powwow! On behalf of the Powwow Committee, thank you for joining us this year and we hope you have a great weekend. Baa maa pii and safe travels!
Save the date
for the 2016 Chippewas of Rama First Nation Powwow August 20-21, 2016 22 | 2015 Rama Powwow Guide
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