05252023 May 25 2023

ÉcoleSacré-CœurstudentsdiscoverFranco-OntarianMétisculture

ItiswithgreatinterestthatÉcoleSacré-Coeur

(Chapleau)studentsrecentlywelcomedMrs. Micheline Boisvert as well as Mr. Claude Boisvert who visited the school to offer workshopsonthepromotionofFranco-Ontarian Métisculture.Duringtwofulldays,studentshad thechancetolistentolegendsandhistoricalfacts in addition to participating in traditional activities. The students enjoyed playing a wide variety of drums as well as other exceptional musical instruments presented to them by Mrs. and Mr. Boisvert. These workshops were enriching for the students since they helped to promote pride and a sense of belonging to the Métisculture.

Découvrirlaculture

C'estavecbeaucoupd'intérêtquelesélèves de l'école Sacré-Cœur (Chapleau) ont accueillitoutrécemmentMmeMicheline Boisvert ainsi que M. Claude Boisvert afin de prendre part des ateliers sur la valorisation de la culturemétissefranco-ontarienne.Pendantdeux pleines journées, les élèves ont eu la chance d'écouterdeslégendesetdesfaitshistoriquesen plus de participer à des activités traditionnelles. Lesélèvesontadoréjouerunegrandevariétéde tambours ainsi que d'autres instruments de musique exceptionnels que leur ont présenté MmeetM.Boisvert.Ces ateliers furent enrichissants pour les élèves puisqu'ils ont permisdepromouvoirla fierté et le sentiment d'appartenanceenversla culturemétisse.

3

CouncilBriefs

Most readers of this column know that whilemycareerhasrecentlyhitsomeheavyseas of late, I believe that navigating such a trying stormhasprovidedmewithtremendousopportunities.Theexperiencehasallowedmetocontemplate my values, who and what I am and where my heart is leading me. It has not been fun; however, it's one of those 'what doesn't kill me, makes me stronger experiences.' So, rather than seeinggreyskiesandgloom,I'mencouragedby thepathbeforeme.

I shared the above with readers because theotherdaysittinginacoffeeshop,agentleman recognized me and initiated a conversation. Listening to his concerns, it was evident that he sufferedfromfatigue.Hetoldmehereadoneof my recent columns and asked, "Mike, how do youdoit?I'mtiredofhearingonthenewshowso manyfamiliesliveontheedgeandfeelhopeless. I'mtiredofhearingourpoliticiansarescheming andlyingratherthanconstructivelyplanningand helping.AndI'mtiredoflosinghopeeverytimeI amabletodredgeabitup."

Ihaveheardalotofsimilarcommentsin

recentyears,butthisgentleman'sremarksreally hit home for me. I quickly realized the man's observation was an ideal comparison of how DougFordishandlingtheissueofourhealthcare system. It is already no secret that Mr. Ford is orchestrating a mammoth-sized and injurious crisis so that he can say the only way to fix the problemisbyprivatizingthesystem.

PremierFordisnotsomuchplanningbut ratherschemingtoprivatizehealthcare.Hewants Ontarians to believe his claims that he is doing everything humanly possible to save public healthcare, but he is well-practised in the art of distraction. Some readers will recall the column PayNoAttentiontoThatManBehindtheCurtain inwhichIcomparedthePremiertotheWizardin the Wizard of Oz story. The thing is that Mr. Ford's act is getting old now. People have witnessed his sleight of hand so many times that everyoneknowswhathe'supto.Now,theydon't even bother to look to see what he is doing or saying. This leads me back to my original comment that people are absolutely fatigued by politicalschemingandhalf-truthsinthenameof patronageandfinancialgain.

Here'sanexample.Createashortageofa necessity, such as water.At first, it's just a hardship to be tolerated. But, deprive people long enough, and they'll pay for the water, which has been free until now. Eventually, if you prolong the artificial shortage, people will ultimately be willingtopayanypriceforjust a small bottle. Ever seen how much they charge for a little bottleofwaterinthosevending machines at rest stops on Hwy 400or401?Sothetacticworks.

Look at Ontario's healthcare system. A shortage of doctors was not only anticipated but orchestrated by the government by way of deliberate inaction and underfunding. The lack of doctors has led to unendingwaitlistsforsurgeries and treatments. And, just as with the water example, after languishing on endless waiting lists, people who can afford it willgladlypayforhealthcareif it moves them up the line, leaving those with lower financial resources out in the cold. This is just wrong all the wayaround.

Premier Ford's mantra is that privately delivered healthcare is cheaper than publicly funded care. For example, on March 14, 2023, the CBC posted that the Canadian Institute for Health Information(CIHI)didastudy that found " knee replacement surgery in a public hospital, paid by the province, costs about $10,000. The same

surgery in a private clinic can reportedly cost patientsupto$28,000."

ItseemstomethatMr.Ford'sbottomline isverymuchopentointerpretation.PremierFord tells Ontarians the bottom line is to provide Ontarians with world-class public healthcare. Butthefactsdonotbearouthisclaims.Weneed to sit up and take notice when it comes to our healthcare system. Ontarians must clearly understandandapproveofwhatourownbottom lineis.Manyhealthcareprofessionalsandpatient advocateswarnusthatFord'sbottomlineistofill the wallets of healthcare facility owners and investors,eventhoughhedeniesit.

PremierFord'ssolutionisBill60,which was passed by the Conservatives this week. VotersdidnotgiveMr.Fordanelectionmandate to cut core services such as surgeries and diagnosticsfromourpublichealthcaresystem.Bill60 transfers such services to private for-profit hospitals and clinics. The Ontario Health Coalition (OHC) states, "Initially, they (the government) plan to move 14,000 cataract surgeries to new private day hospitals thattheywanttohaveupandrunningbynextfall. Thegovernmenthasalreadyannouncedrepeated rounds of tens of millions of dollars for private clinics, even while underspending on public healthcare and failing to meet population needs for care. They announced that they plan to privatizehipandkneesurgeriesby2024."

And if privatizing these surgeries and morewerenotenough,theOHCgoesontopoint out that Bill 60 also privatizes "oversight of private clinics and deregulates health care staffing including who can call themselves a doctor,asurgeon,anurse,anMRItechnologist,a respiratorytherapistandmore."

Unfortunately, Doug Ford is leading us down a twisted pathway to disaster from which our healthcare system will never recover. So it is worrisome that Mr. Ford's scheme might be working. He's playing on people's waning resolveandstrength.

Like the gentleman I met at the coffee shop,weallarewearyofturmoil,strifeandstress inourdailylives.Manyofusarescaredbecause we fear losing out as we sit mired on some waitinglist.Butknowthis;allthosewaitinglists result from political scheming and distracting sleight of hand. So we must make things right now, for us and our children and grandchildren, beforeitistoolate.

Wecannotandmustnotallowweariness andapathytosetin.Inrepresentingthepeopleof Algoma-Manitoulin,mybottomlinehasnothing to do with profits and financial payoffs. My bottomlineistoprovideallOntarianswithaccess toalevelplayingfieldofexcellenthealthcarefor everyone, regardless of geographic location or income.

Asalways,pleasefeelfreetocontactmy office about these issues or any other provincial matters.Youcanreachmyconstituencyofficeby email at my new address, mmanthaco@ola.org or by phoneToll-free at 1-800-8311899.

Chapleau Moments

by MichaelJ. Morris

Imagine deciding to move to Chapleau in 1900 and making the entire journey by canoe and on foot from Moose Factorytoyournewhome.

That's exactly what contributed to a population increase to the fledgling community on the main line of the Canadian Pacific Railway as First Nations families made the journey and the opportunity for gainfulemployment.

Writing in Chapleau Trails, edited by Dr. William R. Pellow, Ian White mentions many of these families who migrated, but I will just share someofhisstoryinthiscolumn.

Mr. White is the uncle of John "Charlie" White born and raised inChapleau,whodiedonMarch 12,2009.

Mr. White writes in Chapleau Trails that his grandparents Stephen and Jane PottsleftMooseFactoryin1900, stoppedforthewinterinMattice andthenstayedattheBrunswick House Reserve on Missanabie LakebeforearrivinginChapleau. Hismotherwasnineyearsoldat thetimeandwithheroldersister Barbara walked most of the journey by following the shoreline.

He explains that this was necessary because his grandfather had only two canoes androomforthreepeopleineach vesselalongwiththepossessions they brought with them. In

Chapleau they builtahouseon Aberdeen Street.

After settling in Chapleau, Mr. White notes that the Elders of the community became devout membersofSt. John's Anglican Church, but as somecouldnot get out to attend services at the church, they gathered at homes for prayer and enlightenment. He notes that Esther (Sanders) Swanson was their self taught organist and choir leader on Sundayafternoons,and"theirjoy of singing could be heard in the neighbourhood."

At age seven Mr. White joinedthechoirofSt.John'swith Terry and John Way-White, David and Elbert Collinson, LorneandJohnWoodard,Edwin Good,JimandKeithSearlewith Reginald Thrush as choirmaster.

"Iremembermyfirstmorning,it was Easter Sunday 1927 and my grandpa was sitting near the entrance when we entered the church.Icanstillseehissmileof approval..."

Mr. White also writes about the "Lower Town" hockey team and some of the famous First Nations players from the early years."BobTurner

was the noted goalie. Tony Cachagee a fast skating forward. Mickey Linklater was called to play for Glace Bay of the Maritime League and Joe Wolotco, not of the First Nation but a member of the team was called to play for the Windsor Bulldogs of the Ontario HockeyLeague."

He also notes that his older brothers Donald and John (Charlie's father) and a cousin Oliver "Doc" Potts and the Corston boys and Mickey and FarmerLinklatercompetedinthe town softballleague,adding that Jack Shoup and "Bunt" Burrows shared umpire duties, "both of whom sometimes bore the brunt ofsharpcriticism."

Mr. White, served in the ThirdAntiTankRegimentofthe Royal Canadian Army in World WarII.

His brother Donald, who lives at Chapleau Cree First Nation also served inWorldWar II.IanlivesinLondon,Ontario

MovingtoChapleauin1900fromMoose Factorybycanoeandwalkingtheshoreline

DonaldandIanWhite

REPORT from OTTAWA Rapport d’Ottawa

by/par Carol Hughes Federal member of Parliament Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing

One of the more interesting features of CanadiandemocracyandtheworkoftheHouse of Commons is the confidence convention. On vitallyimportantmatters,suchasbudgetbillsor the Speech from the Throne, Members of Parliament vote not only for the substance of legislation, but also on their confidence that the governmentcancontinuetoworkonbehalfofthe people that elected them. This convention has been used, and in some instances, abused by Canadian Prime Ministers since Confederation. It too frequently makes the Prime Minister the final authority on whether the House of Commons can continue to work, particularly sincethereareveryfewrulesassociatedwithits use.Itallows,atthewhimofthePM,tothrustthe country into a general election without consulting parliament. There is hope that this couldchangeinthenearfuture.

Daniel Blaikie, the NDPs Critic for DemocraticReform,recentlyputforwardM-79, amotiondesignedtocodifytherulessurrounding confidence matters and prorogation that would ensuretheHouseofCommons,andit's338MPs, are the final intermediaries of what could be consideredaconfidencematter.

As the rules currently stand, while some votes such as budget bills, Speeches from the Throne, or supplementary budget measures, are alwaysconsideredconfidencematters,thePrime Ministerhastheabilitytomakeanyvoteamatter of confidence. This has been used as a tactic by numerous Prime Ministers in the past to ensure MPs are functionally bullied into agreeing with them or risk plunging the country into an election.Themostrecentexampleofthismisuse of the Prime Minister's authority was a threat to make a motion calling for a public inquiry into foreignelectioninterferenceaconfidencematter. Inthatcase,the PM eventuallyrelented,butthe threatofitsusehasseriousimplicationsonhow theHouseofCommonscanmanageitself.Using thismethodofforcingoppositionMPstodecide the fate of any sitting government through a confidencevotehasbeenabusedforfartoolong and eliminating this option for a Prime Minister shouldbeapriorityifwearetopushforgreater ethicsandaccountabilityfromourgovernment.

M-79 sets out clearer guidelines to determine what confidence matters are. The motionitselfstatesthat“theHouseitself,notthe

It'sTimetoSetGuidelinesforConfidenceMatters

PrimeMinister,shouldbethefinalauthorityasto whether the government of the day enjoys the confidence of the House.” This is important, as the confidence convention as it currently stands makes the Crown, and therefore the Prime Ministerhimself,thearbiter.Thismotionwould changetherulessothatthePrimeMinistercould not just determine any matter is a confidence matter at his own designation. It also sets terms for prorogation, which is a tool to allow the governmenttoresetitsagendabuthasinthepast beenusedbyPrimeMinisterstoavoidscrutinyor threats to their leadership. This was used by the current Prime Minister to avoid investigations intotheWECharityscandalandhasbeenusedby formerPMHarpertoshutdownthepossibilityof acoalitionpactwiththeNDP,LiberalsandBloc to replace his government. It forces the PM to explainhisuseoftheprorogation,andthenforces a vote in Parliament as a matter of confidence, which should be enough for any Prime Minister to think twice about using prorogation as a

Laconventionsurlaconfiancereprésente l'unedescaractéristiqueslesplusintéressantesde la démocratie canadienne et des travaux de la Chambre des communes. Lorsqu'une question essentielle se présente, comme un projet de loi budgétaire ou un discours du Trône, les députés votentnonseulementsurlateneurdutexte,mais également pour signifier qu'ils croient que le gouvernement peut continuer de travailler au nom des électeurs. Depuis le début de la Confédération,lespremiersministresduCanada ont recours à cette convention, parfois de façon abusive. Trop souvent, elle donne au premier ministre le pouvoir ultime de décider si la Chambre des communes peut poursuivre ses travaux, notamment parce qu'il y a très peu de règles entourant son application. Cette convention permet à un premier ministre de déclencher une élection générale sur un coup de tête, sans consulter le Parlement. On espère pouvoir changer cette situation dans un avenir rapproché.

Daniel Blaikie, porte-parole du NPD en matière de réforme démocratique, a récemment déposé la motion M-79, qui vise à codifier les règlesapplicablesauxquestionsdeconfianceetà la prorogation afin que la Chambre des communesetses338députéssoientlesderniers intermédiairesdecequiestconsidérécommeune questiondeconfiance.

Selon les règles actuelles, certains votes sonttoujoursconsidéréscommedesquestionsde confiance (p. ex. projets de loi budgétaires, discours du Trône ou budgets supplémentaires des dépenses), mais le premier ministre peut

methodofsidesteppingscrutiny.

This motion should be a no-brainer for anyMPtosupport.Itsetsoutclearguidelinesfor the Standing Orders (the rules the House of Commons abides by) that ensures that MPs are empowered to keep the work of Parliament moving forward and does so without needing to opentheConstitution.Itholdsthegovernmentto account,ensuringtheycan'trunroughshodover electedMPs.Prorogationandthepowertomake any matter a confidence matter are two of the greatest gatekeeping powers that any Canadian has, and it would be utterly hypocritical for any MP who rails against gatekeepers to refuse to supportsuchacommonsenseissue.

Supporting a strong democracy means having rules in place that keep any individual fromconsolidatingtoomuchpower.Thismotion eliminates the concentration of power, prevents abuse, and ensures that the will of the House is heldabovethewhimsofaPrimeMinister.

transformer n'importe lequel en question de confiance. De nombreux premiers ministres ont déjàeurecoursàceprocédépourcontraindresur leplanfonctionnellesdéputésàserangeràleur avis ou risquer de plonger le pays dans une campagneélectorale.Plusrécentexempledecet abus de pouvoir : une menace de faire d'une motion demandant la tenue d'une enquête sur l'ingérence étrangère dans les élections une question de confiance. Dans cette situation, le premierministreafinalementrenoncé,maiscette menace a d'importantes incidences sur la façon dontlaChambredescommunespeutsegérer.Ily atroplongtempsqueceprocédéestemployéde façon abusive pour obliger les députés de l'oppositionàdéciderdusortdugouvernementau pouvoir par un vote de confiance. Nous devons faire de l'élimination de cette possibilité une priorité si nous voulons renforcer l'éthique et la redditiondecomptesdugouvernement. La motion M-79 établit des lignes directrices claires pour déterminer ce qui constitue une question de confiance. Selon cette motion, « la Chambre elle-même, et non le premierministre,devraitdéciderendéfinitivesi le gouvernement de l'heure jouit ou non de la confiancedelaChambre».Cettedispositionest importante puisque, selon l'actuelle convention surlaconfiance,laCouronne,etparconséquent le premier ministre, tient le rôle d'arbitre. La motionmodifieraitlesrèglesdemanièreàceque le premier ministre ne puisse simplement pas déterminerparlui-mêmesiunequestionengage la confiance. Elle définit aussi les conditions SuiteP.7

Lemomentestvenud'établirdeslignesdirectricespourlesquestionsdeconfiance

RedDressDayobservedat ÉSCTrillium

On May 5, students and staff at École secondaire catholique Trillium (Chapleau) wore redinhonourofmissingandmurderedAboriginal women, girls and two-spirited people as part of

Red Dress Day. Through various activities, they weremadeawareofthesymbolismofthisdayand theimportanceofhumanrights.

These symbolic red dresses represent

death and absence to honour the missing Aboriginal women and girls of Canada. On this Red Dress Day and every day, we remember them.

Township of Chapleau

20 Pine Street W P O Box 129 Chapleau, ON P0M 1K0

t (705) 864-1330

f (705) 864-1824

www chapleau.ca

THE CORPORATION OF THE TOWNSHIP OF CHAPLEAU

Is accepting applications for the position of Chief Administrative Officer/Clerk

As the Clerk/Chief Administrative Officer, your impact on the municipality will be significant in several ways:

Administration: You will organize and attend all Council meetings; ensure by-laws and resolutions are in place and up to date; advise council on land-use strategy and policy; recommendnewinitiativestocouncil;andoverseetheimplementationofCouncilpoliciesby responsible departments.

Human Resource Management: You will recruit and develop all municipal management employees, and develop a plan to attract and retain employees.

You will have technical skills in municipal administration, financial management and human resource management. Strong communication, analytical, and leadership skills are just someoftherequirementsoftheposition.Candidatesshallhaveapost-secondaryeducation in a relevant discipline. Bilingualism an asset (English/French).

The Township of Chapleau is located in Northeastern Ontario and offers a full service recreationalcomplex, arena, curling club,golf course,elementaryandsecondaryschools in both the French and English languages hospital and medical centre. Chapleau has a population of 1,950 residents and a $7 million annual budget. To learn more about what we have to offer, we would encourage you to review ourWelcome Guide

To be discussed with candidates being considered for employment: salary and a quality of work life benefits.

Deadline: Interested candidates may send a resume and cover letter as a single PDF attachment to mayor@chapleau.ca, no later than FridayJune 2, 2023 at 4:00 PM.

In accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, the information gathered is collected pursuant to the Municipal Act and will be used for the purpose of candidate selection. Weare an equalopportunity employer. We thank all who apply and advise that only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.

OnsouligneleJourdela roberougeàl'ÉSCTrillium

Le 5 mai dernier, dans le cadre du Jour de la robe rouge, les élèves et les membres du personnel de l'école secondaire catholique Trillium (Chapleau) ont porté du rouge en l'honneur des femmes, des filles et des personnes bispirituelles autochtones disparues et assassinées. Par le biais d'activités variées, ils ont été sensibilisésausymbolismedecettejournéeetl'importancedesdroitsdelapersonne. Ces robes rouges symboliques représentent la mort et l'absence afin de rendrehommageauxfemmesetfillesautochtonesdisparuesduCanada.EnceJour desrobesrougesainsiquetouslesjours,nousnoussouvenonsd'elles.

Lastweekssolutions

MOMENTS IN TIME

OnJune9,2020,Dr.KathySullivanbecamethefirst womantoreachthedeepestpartoftheocean,the Mariana Trench (36,201 feet). Sullivan had earlier achieved notoriety by becoming the first American womantocompleteaspacewalk,in1984.

NorthernLightsFordSales

Andrew G. McKenzie Travis Gendron

Highway 17 North P.O. Box 1033

Wawa, ON. P0S 1K0

Business 705-856-2775

Fax 705-856-4862

tgendron@northernlightsford.ca sales@northernlightsford.ca

ALLEMANO, FITZGERALD PASCUZZI & BERLINGIERI Barristers and Solicitors

MICHAEL C. ALLEMANO, B.A., L.L.B.

Certified by the Law Society as a Specialist in Real Estate Law P.O. Box 10, 369 Queen St. E. Suite 103 Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario P6A 1Z4

Phone (705) 942-0142

Fax (705) 942-7188

BERRY’S FREIGHT SERVICES

TIMMINS - CHAPLEAU - TIMMINS

Monday to Friday: 1 lb. to 10,000 lbs

Monday to Friday

P.O. Box 1700, 37 Broadway Avenue, Wawa, Ontario P0S 1K0

Phone (705) 856-4970

Fax (705) 856-2713

Lemomentestvenud'établirdeslignes directricespourlesquestionsdeconfiance

SuitedelaP.4

applicablesàlaprorogation,soituneméthodequi permet au gouvernement de réinitialiser son programme,maisquedespremiersministresont déjà utilisée pour éviter un examen ou une menace pesant sur leur leadership. Ainsi, le premier ministre au pouvoir a eu recours à la prorogation pour éviter une enquête sur le scandaleentourantl'organismeUNIS,tandisque l'ancienpremierministreStephenHarpers'enest servi pour écarter la possibilité que le NPD, le Parti libéral et le Bloc québécois forment une coalition pour remplacer son gouvernement. La motionobligelepremierministreàexpliquerson recours à la prorogation et à tenir un vote de confiance à ce sujet, ce qui devrait suffire pour inciter n'importe quel premier ministre à bien réfléchir avant d'utiliser cette méthode pour échapperàunexamen.

Appuyercettemotiondevraitallerdesoi pour les députés. En effet, elle établit des lignes directrices claires pour le Règlement (auquel la Chambre des communes se conforme) afin que les députés aient le pouvoir de permettre la poursuite des travaux du Parlement sans avoir à rouvrir la Constitution. Elle oblige le gouvernement à rendre des comptes, ce qui l'empêche de faire peu de cas des députés. La prorogationetlesmotionsdeconfiancesontdeux des plus grands pouvoirs de protection dont un Canadienpeutdisposer.Undéputéquirécrimine contre les gardiens et qui refuserait de soutenir une motion aussi sensée ferait preuve d'une

FORQUALITYSERVICESAT INEXPENSIVEPRICES

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1-705-363-7804

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grandehypocrisie.

Une démocratie solide signifie avoir des règles pour empêcher quiconque de détenir trop de pouvoirs. Cette motion éliminerait la concentrationdespouvoirs,empêcheraitlesabus et ferait en sorte que la volonté de la Chambre l'emportesurlescapricesd'unpremierministre.

Pimii Kamik Gas Bar & Gift Shop

Located on the Chapleau Cree First Nation SUMMER HOURS

will be from 7 a.m. - 10 p.m., 7 days a week

Drop by and check out our line of Authentic Native Crafts, Unique Gift Ideas, Jewellery, and Gift Certificates TOO!

We also carry road trip snacks, which includes Subs, Chips, Pop, plus a whole lot more.

Your Propane Refilling Station

705-864-0781

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (A.A).Open discussion meeting every Monday evening. Brunswick House First Nation Band office lounge 7pm.NarcoticsAnonymous(N.A)everyTuesdaysameplacesametime. NNADAPWorker@864-0174info.

CHADWIC HOME, FAMILY RESOURCE CENTRE. Offers shelter, emotionalsupport,andinformationforwomenandtheirchildrenwhoarein crisissituations.WehaveaTollFreeCrisisLinewhichisstaffed24hoursa day.WecanarrangeforfreetransportationtotheCentreforwomenwho liveintheAlgoma/Chapleauarea.Wealsooffersupporttowomenwholive in the communities of Chapleau, White River, Dubreuilville, and HornepaynethroughourOutreachProgram.OurOutreachWorkertravels tothosecommunitiestomeetwithwomenwhoneedemotionalsupportas wellasinformationabouttheirrightsandoptions.Ifyouneedtospeakwith the Outreach Worker when she is in your community, you can call the Centre at any time to set up an appointment. You do not need to be a residentoftheCentreinordertouseourservices.Ifyouneedsomeoneto talktoorifyoujustneedsomeonetolisten,callourTollFreeCrisislineat1800-461-2242oryoucandropinattheCentre.Wearehereforyou.

Library Hours

Monday 1-5 pm

Tuesday & Wednesday 1-7 pm

Thursday & Friday 1-5 pm

Website : www.chapleau.ca

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8mm & Super 8 mm

SuperiorHeightsUnveilsIndigenousWoodlandStyle MuralCelebratingCultureandReconciliation

Superior Heights Collegiate and Vocational School (SHCVS) is proud to announce the unveiling of a new, five-panel muralcelebratingIndigenouscultureandvalues withintheschool.Measuring8’x20’,themuralis a beautiful piece of Woodland style art that was created over the past few weeks by a dedicated group of students from the Northern Indigenous YouthCouncilandtheArtClub,withthesupport of local Anishinaabe artist Lucia Laford (WaawaaskoneKwe).

The mural is a symbol of Reconciliation and reflects Superior Heights' commitment to honouring the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's 94 Calls to Action. Through the creationprocess,thestudentshavelearnedabout AnishinaabeculturefromLucia,whosharedher knowledge and perspective with them. Her guidance and expertise were invaluable in shapingthisprojectandensuringthatitauthentically represents local First Nation values and spirit.

The mural process commenced with an explorationofWoodlandartanditsfundamental concepts.Next,thestudentsdevelopedtheirown ideasonthemeandcomposition.

Collaboratively, the group converged on a shared idea, incorporating multiple perspectives. The central themes of the mural were connectionandenvironmentalstewardship,with eachindividualinvolvedcontributingimageryto thefinalpiece.

Throughout the process, important symbols were discussed such as the turtle and TurtleIsland.Centraltothemuralisaturtlewith a sacred fire on its back. The flames and smoke fromthefirecarryupwardsandsurroundMother Earthintheshapeofaheart.

Thisremindstheviewerofourobligation totakecareofthelandandallofcreation.Above the earth is a bird embracing the heart with its wings.Thisbirdcanrepresentmanyspecies,one interpretationwouldbeoftheEaglethatfliesso high,closetothespiritworld.

On either side of the turtle are three people. Each side represents our ancestors, the grandmothers,thegrandfathers,themothers,the fathersandallthechildren.Theyfaceinwardto thesacredfireandareinsideateachinglodgeto represent the importance of education and continuallylearning.

Each side of the mural depicts elements of creation. On the right water and water beings are honoured, including, salmon, cranes, frogs, and water vegetation. The water flows into the teachinglodgeandtouchesthebaseoftheturtle.

The women are standing in the water to depict the sacred connection that women have to water. The moon is above the water to show the connection of Grandmother moon to the water. The stars and planets represent connection to our ancestors.Ontheleftside the forest, the plant life and many creatures that walk the land are honoured. The tree that cradles the left side showcases all four seasons and the changes that occur in nature but also the changes that occurinusastimepasses.

The four sacred medicinesareseenthroughout the mural and are tied to the medicine wheel and many teachings discussed in the process. Animals are shown with their young as a reminder to care for Mother Earth for the many generations after us that will inherit what we leave behind. Insects and mushrooms are included to remind us of the variation and the importance of biodiversity in all organisms big and small. The sun is painted with giant rays of light that remind us of the connections between alllife.

The mural has many more symbols and deeperlayersofmeaning,butWoodlandartalso calls upon the viewer to interpret what they see. The mural prompts viewers to discover their personal connection and embrace their role as caretakersandstewardsoftheland.

The mural is a testamentto the power of arttoinspire,connect,andtransformlives.Itisa reminderthatweareallpartofalargercommunity and that we must work together to build a betterandmoreinclusiveworld.

Thestudentswhoworkedonthisproject haveleftalegacyatSuperiorHeightsforgenerationstocome.Theirdedication,passion,andhard workhaveresultedinabeautifulpieceofartthat celebrates Indigenous culture and promotes understandingandhealing.

Superior Heights teachers Ms. Sarah Bingham and Ms. Sarah Cormier organized the project.“Weareincrediblyproudofthestudents who worked on this project and grateful for the

opportunity to have worked alongside Lucia Laford,” Ms. Bingham said. “The mural is a reflection of our school’s commitment to Truth and Reconciliation, and we hope it will inspire others to learn about and celebrate Indigenous culture,”Ms.Cormiersaid.

Superior Heights Collegiate and Vocational School would like to thank the Northern Indigenous Youth Council, the Art Club, Lucia Laford, theAlgoma District School Board, the teachers involved and all the parents and community members who supported this projectandhelpedmakeitareality.