Coming together in community and ceremony

Dan Kimewon, left, and his students, Ritchie Carter, Ira Kimewon, Avery Kewageshig and Ryan Root Jr. performed an honour song before the feast started.

Hub Staff

The Community of Saugeen First Nation gathered for a Summer Feast Ceremony and Community Fun Day to celebrate National Aboriginal Day at the James Mason Memorial Cultural And Recreation Centre, June 21.

This year marked the 20th anniversary of National Aboriginal Day, which celebrates the cultures, heritage and achievements of First Nation, Inuit and Métis peoples in Canada.

Saugeen First Nation Chief Vernon Roote welcomed everyone and gave thanks to the organizers and volunteers of the event, with Elder Priscilla (Ningwakwe) George doing an opening prayer. George said the day was to celebrate their very unique cultures, heritage and languages. “It's basically to celebrate who we are. I think that's a beautiful thing,” she said. “We're here as individuals, we're here as families, we're here as a community.”

She also mentioned that this year was special as the June full moon, also known as the Strawberry moon fell on the Summer Solstice, June 20. “The last time that happened was 68 years ago,” said George.

Before the Feast began, people were given the opportunity to make a food offering in the sacred fire outside. “They come up and choose whatever food items there are and offer it into the fire,” said Cultural and Wellness Coordinator and co-organizer of the day’s event, Lori Kewaquom. “It can be for the ancestors, their relatives, earth, whatever it may be,” she explained.

Kewaquom said that food offerings can go into a fire, go into water or be placed under the ground. “It's a way of feeding our ancestors,” she said. “We always have connection with the spirit world.”

Kewaquom said that they were honouring the change of season with the Summer Feast Ceremony. “We acknowledge when the seasons change, we acknowledge the Summer Solstice and the time of the Strawberry moon,” she said. “The Strawberry moon is very important. The strawberry represents the heart.”

Outside the recreation centre various games and activities for children took place from pony rides, a Sponge Bob inflatable and tug of war games to ice cream, cotton candy and popcorn. A fireworks display at the south end of Sauble Beach at dusk ended the day’s activities.

Left to right, Chief Vernon Roote and organizers of the day’s event, Cultural and Wellness Coordinator, Lori Kewaquom and Recreation Director Anissa Nashkewa stand with a sign that the local daycare had made for the event.