Indigenous Concepts

All religious traditions ...all original stories

provide a large map of where you are. (David Christian)

Through consciousness our minds have the power to change our planet and ourselves.

It's time we heed the wisdom of ancient Indigenous people and channel our consciousness and spirit

to tend the garden and not destroy it. (Bruce Lipton)

Hamilton Trustees Balk at New High School Name

Richard Leitner reports to Hamilton Community News: The search for a name for the new high school being built at Scott Park continues after the area's trustee couldn't get enough support for one favoured by an advisory committee. Fellow trustees rejected Larry Patterson's motion to approve Shannen Koostachin Secondary School by a 6-5 vote with those opposed calling for more student feedback and adding 3 names for consideration. Koostachin was an Indigenous girl who fought for a new school in her northern community of Attawapiskat before she was killed in a 2010 car accident ~ an effort that saw her nominated for the International Children's Peace Prize.

The Advisory Committee offered one alternative: Trillium Secondary

It scratched a third finalist: Hiawatha honouring a pre-colonial Indigenous leader who helped form the Iroquois Confederacy ~ because the Haudenosaunee community objected. The committee ruled out the three most popular suggested names in an online public survey that drew 1,281 responses:

Bernie Custis...Scott Park...and Nikola Tersla.

(currently awaiting official naming)

Technology, Art and Haudenosaunee Culture Combine at Innovative School

STEAM Academy has vision to provide a safe and holistic environment for students.

Nicole O'Reilly reported from Brantford to The Hamilton Spectator:

Fifteen-year-old Jarrod Wardell wants to work in engineering and coding, but didn't know there was more than one Indigenous language before stepping into the halls of Six Nations Polytechnic's STEAM Academy last September. Chevy Johnson, 14, with no interest in technology, wants to become a midwife. She speaks some Cayuga at home, where she anticipates one day becoming a 'clan mother' following in the footsteps of her aunt. Nolan Jon, who speaks some Mohawk at home, followed his friends to STEAM, but says he's been surprisingly interested in the technology he's learning to use.

These are 3 of the first 33 Grade 9 students

at the innovative technology, engineering, arts and mathematics program

at Six Nations Polytechnic's Brantford campus

that blends art, technology and Haudenosaunee culture into its foundation.

STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics.

Starting in Grade 10, students will begin taking dual-credit high school and Mohawk College courses that will allow them to graduate with a high school diploma and a software engineering technician college diploma after 5 years.

STEAM's principal, Aaron Hobbs says they wanted to start small,

but already they have interest from 107 new Grade 9 students starting in the fall.

Located at 411 Elgin Street in the city's former Mohawk College campus,

he has 5 teaching staff this year (but expected to more than double next year

including a counsellor and a Mohawk language teacher).

This is in addition to a Cayuga language class

that all Grade 9 students are taking this semester.

“The first crop of students are a mix of backgrounds. About 80% come from Six Nations, with the rest coming from Brantford and surrounding communities. It is about 60 to 40 per cent ratio of boys to girls. It's also been important to include a focus on arts ~ STEAM not just STEM.

“We really think that creativity is important

for a well-rounded education.

But, at its foundation, the school is about respecting Indigenous culture.” said Hobbs.

He further stated, “The technology pieces are important, really important to the entire program, but it's the language and culture that forms the atmosphere of the school.”

Indigenous people have discovered that Christianity is not inherently Western ~

but Universal. (Nancy Pearcy)

Weekly, The Hamilton Spectator selects and publishes a full page

called The Pulse ~ featuring news from a local Elementary or High School.

Last week's publication included Indigenous Nature Haiku Poems.

The Music of the Day by Gabriella Benvides ~ Grade 5

The Music of the day

         Is wind and trees rustling

       With some water sounds.

Sharing the Earth by Sophia Isabella ~ Grade 5

Nature is beauty

From trees grass and lightning storms

We share together.

Snow from Heaven by Avery Rose Robidas ~ Grade 5

White snowy terrace

Trees covered with bright white snow

As small flakes fall.

This page also featured a colour drawing called “Jumping for Joy” illustrating a body jumping above lake water with the shadow image in the water reflecting the child's jump.

And a colouful blue butterfly was painted by Kaitlyn in Grade 7.

A Cherokee Proverb...

spoken by an Indigenous grandfather to his grandson:

There is a Battle of two wolves inside us all.

One is Evil. It is anger, jealousy, greed, resentment, lies,

inferiority and ego.

The other one is Good. It is joy, peace, love and hope,

kindness, empathy and truth.

The wolf that wins the battle? The one you feed!

Scripted by Merle Baird-Kerr...June 27, 2018

To respond: mbairdkerr@bell.net or inezkate@gmail.com

Regeneration of Local Gardens

The Goddess of Old Europe and Ancient Crete

represented the unity of life in nature ~ delight in the diversity

of form, the powers of birth, death and regeneration.

(Carol R. Christ)

The Return of the Rose

“The RBG's Rose Garden is back ~ only this time without chemicals,”

writes Mark McNeil in The Hamilton Spectator.

“The Royal Botanical Gardens has created a brand new rose garden. But even more interesting, it has developed a whole new way to grow the flowers. On June 23, the RBG will officially unveil a $3 million state-of-art garden in Hendrie Park that rethinks how roses should be managed and the very purpose of horticultural display in an era of increased environmental awareness.

“The original rose garden began in 1967 as a centennial project

with the goal of creating a major spectacle of flowering beauty.

And massive amounts of pesticides and fertilizers were used for disease control.

“In 2009 the province banned gardening chemicals. And the RBG's rose garden ~ that was a large monoculture of disease-prone Hybrid tea and Floribunda roses in the shadow of large shade trees ~ began to suffer. Despite major replacements and weekly applications of sulphur and copper sprays (as well as other still-legal treatments) the rose garden was not nearly the display of its former years.

“Eric Abram, Hendrie Park, horticulturalist said, 'We completely removed everything and totally rebuilt the garden from the ground up ~ actually, we started a couple of feet below ground by replacing all the soil and building a new irrigation system.” From there, the project would use disease-resistant and cold-hardy roses proven to be sustainable in this area, along with 'companion plants' that would attract insects beneficial to the roses. Peter Kukielski of Portland, Maine advised:

Pick the right rose for your garden ~ plant it properly...and care for it.

. The trick is to find roses that are specifically suited to the climate of the area

where they are intended to grow.

“That's what the RBG has done with more than 300 varieties it has chosen.

A rose, aptly named the “Canadian Shield” is one.

“So a major feature of the new RBG rose garden is the addition of plants such as perennials, annuals, dill and coriander ~ as well as pollinators such as echinacea and milkweed.

Kukielski commented, “We've done everything we could do.

We used the best rose genetics and we companion-planted with plants

that are going to bring in all the beneficial insects.”

“We say that flowers return every spring, but that is a lie.

It is true that the world is renewed. It is also true that renewal comes at a price,

for even if the flower grows from an ancient vine, the flowers of spring are themselves,

new to the world: untried and untested.” (Author unknown)

TWO FAITHFUL SERVANTS TENDING GOD'S GARDEN

Jubillee Garden of Notre Dame Convent will open to the public ~ for the first time

during Hamilton Spectator Open Garden Week: June 29, 30,

“If you're of a mind to find ~ to talk to God, look in a garden,”

writes Rob Howard.

“But if you ARE of a mind to see a garden made by 2 of God's faithful servants, try a convent on the edge of Waterdown. For there is the Jubilee Garden of Notre Dame Convent, restored and lovingly maintained by Sister Katharine Reiter and Sister Doreen Norman, both residents for the past 10 years of the imposing 91-year-old building on Snake Road. You'll find these 2 nuns who are members of Notre Dame. Sister Katharine celebrated the 75^th anniversary of her vows in 2016 ~ now 96. Sister Doreen is a mere stripling at 87, next year marking the 70^th anniversary of professing her vows. To watch them in the garden, is indeed, just a number. Their love of plant-growing seems bred into them.

Sister Katharine grew up in Saskatchewan and had her hands in the rich soil there from toddler age on who says, My mother was a great gardener. Sister Doreen grew up in Kitchener. Her father bought a vacant lot next to a playing field across from their house and turned it into their extended garden. Because my brothers didn't want to help, I did. One of my brothers was golfing legend, Moe Norman.

“Sister Katharine was a teacher, who taught in several provinces and in every grade. Sister Doreen ran the mechanicals of many convents, including the water plant at Notre Dame before it was connected to municipal waterlines. But: Now they Garden! Both nuns came to Notre Dame from Sioux Narrows, up in the Kenora District of northwestern Ontario, in 2008. When the convent there closed, both came to Notre Dame. The Jubilee Garden had been laid out by 2000, but had fallen into neglect. It was a weed pit, says Sister Katharine. And so they weeded...turned soil...lifted and divided overgrown perennials...pruned and trimmed and planted. Through the winters, in an old carpenter's shop-turned- nursery, they grew on cuttings from past years' annuals...grew hundreds more from seed...overwintered tender plants...and waited patiently for the spring to come.

The garden they've restored, is a soothing peaceful space overflowing with a broad array of well-tended plants. Paths wind around and between the crabapple, cherry and pear trees. Flower borders are a lovely mix of shrub, roses, perennials and ground covers. Marigolds and geraniums from their shop-turned nursery are planted at the front.

Hydrangeas flourish here, Sister Doreen says...along with lilies; irises are in bloom and alliums are showing their deep purple heads and delphinium flowers behind a clump of lupines. She further chats about Angel trumpets and flowering dogwood. Deer come out of the nearby woods, feasting on what they like. To the nuns, this is a special garden:

a space where work and service and prayer come together.

Sister Katharine says gardening keeps her alive and young.

When asked if they find a connection to God by working in the garden,

they answer, “Oh yes ~ We plant it ~ God makes it grow.”

* * * * * * *

The first time I saw Notre Dame Convent (where retired nuns live,

some with limited mobility and others in wheelchairs...some have dementia),

it was several years ago ~ my son with me

and with interesting challenges to explore less- travelled roads,

we drove southbound out of Waterdown onto Snake Road.

WOW! Amazed we were to see this magnificent convent

along the winding picturesquely-scenic road.

Stunning was its architecture ~ wondering about this magnificent edifice!

Written by Merle Baird-Kerr...June 17, 2018

Comments welcome: mbairdkerr@bell.net or inezkate@gmail.com

New Rose Garden Features:

Extensive irrigation system and underground piping system

More than 2500 new rose bushes, including hardy Canadian plants.

Companion plants designed to bring beneficial insects to the garden.

Upgraded pathways, fences, stairs and lighting; water fountain and tunnel ceiling.

New arbours and benches; new retaining wall.

 

 

Indigenous Cultural Heritage

I believe very firmly that Indigenous populations had a really good, intuitive understanding of why we're here. And we're trying to gain that same understanding through psychology and intellect

in modern civilization. Serj Tankian)

We like the idea of Canada where all cultures are encouraged

to develop in harmony with one another ~ to become part of the great 'mosaic.'

If we are to be part of the Canadian mosaic, then we want to be colourful red tiles ~

taking our place where 'red' is both needed and appreciated.

(Harold Carpenter: a lifelong student of First Nations Law

as practised by Cree and other aboriginal Elders.)

The white man is not indigenous to Africa. Africa is for Africans.

Zimbabwe is for Zimbabweans. (Robert Mugabe)

An Inspirational Breakfast

John Rennison from The Hamilton Spectator submitted a colourful photo of happy musical women:

Leanne Rego holds her drum up as she performs with the Nya:weh Cathedral Drumming Group

at the Totally Awesome Young Women's Breakfast at LIUNA Station.

YWCA Hamilton, brought together 500 women in Grades 9 to 12

from both Hamilton school boards to share breakfast and be inspired.

Keynote speaker Jamie Medicine Crane, a board member with World YWCA, is a Blackfoot member from the Kainai and Piikani Nations. She is an educator, motivational speaker, a dancer, musician and a strong advocate for women and youth.

Tour of Ancient Indigenous Village Offers Unique B.C. Vacation

Huu-ay-aht First Nation, one of many opening up areas to tourism.

Bamfield, B.C. Surrounded by old-growth rainforest against the rocky shoreline on the south-west edge of Vancouver Island lies a centuries-old-Indigenous village where traditional longhouses accessible only by foot remain undisturbed. The Huu-ay-ahat First Nation began offering tours of the ancient capital Klixin ~ pronounced kee-hin ~ last year in an effort to share their cultural heritage with the world and revitalize the quiet coastal town of Bamfield.

Trevor Cootes, a member of its executive council, says,

“Opening up the rare archeological site to the world has been years in the making.

Truth and reconciliation has to do more with ourselves and how we put our own culture back into our day-to-day lives.” The Huu-ay-aht is among several Vancouver Island First Nations to sign a treaty in 2011 and is self-governing. The Canadian government declared the village and fortress,which dates back to the 19^th century, a National Historic Site in 1999.

In roughly a 3-hour tour, guides tell stories reflecting the beliefs and traditions of the Huu-ay-aht people, including a tale of how their warriors reclaimed the land from a neighbouring nation and spiritual beliefs rooted in the land, the water and stars.

“In our culture, when you come to our territory and we share something with you,

a part of that responsibility is that you now are a witness to who we are

as Huu-ay-aht people,” Cootes says.

“Visitors can also learn about significant plant life in the area used for cutltural and medicinal purposes.

Visitors can also take trips hiking in the forests, kayaking or boating from Bamfield.The number of Indigenous cultural activities across B.C. has grown significantly with more than 400 new tourism businesses taking off between 2012 and 2017. Tracy Eyssens, chief executive officer with Indigenous tourism BC states: “No, we don't live in igloos, no, we don't live in tepees. We are changing those cliches...or those myths...or the perceptions that consumers have about Indigenous people in B.C.”

A wonderful mature forest, lushingly invites visitors to view

and experience life in an Indigenous village.

A smaller colour photo depicts guides like Robert Dennis Junior (Wiisqi) sitting atop a high rock while holding a drum. Small islands can be seen in the adjacent coastal waters.

(The foregoing are excerpts written by Linda Givetash published by The Canadian Press)

Insights from Indigenous Artists

Tanya Tagaq (Inuk throat singer): I trust myself and my instincts and my emotions. Every day, I do everything I can to be a good and better person.

Rebecca Belmore (mixed media artist): As someone who grew up with very little access to our history through the education system, I feel compelled to witness and articulate and in some way, visually mark current history.

Adam Beach (actor): We put our minds and our hearts to succeed ~ and success isn't about money ~ success isn't about the biggest house in the world. Success is about loving your family and taking care of your child.

Jeff Barnaby (film-maker): I couldn't care less about my audience ~ what stereotypes or prejudices they bring into the theatre. I'm there to be honest to the characters that I created and the people I grew up around.

Tomson Highway (musician, storyteller and eternal optimist): Native theology works in a different way: There is no heaven ~ there is no hell ~ there's just a circle. The circle of life and death interconnect ~ and when we pass away, we don't go up or down. We stay in another part of the circle.

WWII Navajo CodeTalker ~ Samuel Tom Holiday Dies at Age 94

(Recently, my son forwarded the following to me)

From St. George, Utah published in The Associated Press: Samuel Tom Holiday, one of the last surviving Navajo Code Talkers, died, at age 94, in southern Utah, surrounded by family members. Holiday was among hundreds of Navajos who used a code, based on their native language to transmit messages in World War II. The Japanese never broke the code.

The accompanying colour photo: Samuel Tom Holiday and Peter McDonald (U.S. Marine Corps Navajo Code Talkers), both Navajo dressed, wave to the crowd before an Arizona Diamondbacks vs.Los Angeles Dodgers baseball game at Chase Field, Phoenix, September 11, 2015.

After the war, Holiday returned to the Navajo reservation

and worked as a police officer, a ranger and later, started his own equipment company.

In 2013 he wrote a book about his experiences as a Code Talker

called “Under the Eagle.”

Compiled by Merle Baird-Kerr: April 25, 2018

Comments welcome: mbairdkerr@bell.net or inezkate@gmail.com

Introductions and Invitations

“The Stonehouse Home was Where Everyone Congregated”

writes Paul Wilson ~ Special to The Hamilton Spectator.

Maxime Stonehouse put her house up for sale ~ she had been there 50 years. Her first home was a 2^nd floor appartment on the main street of Dundas. She was born there on a hot day in June, 1931, early days of the Great Depression. Her parents had 4 other children.

After High School, Maxine worked in accounting at the Robinson's department store. Not for her, she headed to Calgary ~ her parents were horrified. She came home on a holiday, and a girlfriend asked her to the Alexandra roller rink on James South. Not knowing how to skate, she crashed into a young man named Harvey Stonehouse. A month later, in Feburary 1952, she married him. “It sounds like I was a real nut,” Maxine says. “But I'm very stable. I just get feelings about things.” And her feelings about Harvey were all good. He worked at Dominion Glass and Maxine stayed home, because that's what women did. They had a little 'starter house' in the east end, Vansitmart near Woodward.

Son David arrived in 1954, Michael 2 years later.

In the summer of 1967, Maxine found them a new house at 67 Duncombe Dr., costing $17,000 (to them a fortune). It had a great backyard...a wide drive...three bedrooms. In 1968, Christopher was born!

Much as she loved her house, Maxine had to get out of it!

She enrolled in the social services program at Mohawk (3 years full time).

Part-time, it took Maxine 10 years. “But I aced it,” she says, “and on the honour roll.”

Celebrating Three Decades of Service

A colour photo of 4 proud immigrant women, who, introduced to ESL and high school equivalency classes (and eventually employment opportunities in Hamilton and beyond) graduated in early April

at Lincoln Alexander Theatre ~ celebrating the 30^th anniversary of the Immigrants Workers Centre.

As per custom, the full graduate class 'tossed their caps' following the ceremony.

Introduction to the Stage

“On Easter Sunday evening, Jesus Christ Superstar, from New York was presented live on TV.

The show was a collision of religion and theatre and pop culture that could have been one holy mess.

“But by the grace of God, or maybe a great cast and lots and lots of expert staging, a

great musical became a great TV production,” wrote Lorraine Ali (Los Angeles Times).

“The pop star raised his hands, striking a messianic pose from the stage as the adoring crowd strained to touch the edges of his flowing robe ~ a savour greeting his disciples.

Singer, John Legend didn't have the presence of a theatre performer,

but he did know how to command a venue full of fans, which is exactly what NBC's

“Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert called for.

Legend (Jesus), pop crooner-turned-Broadway star Sara Bareilles (Mary Magdalene), veteran rocker Alice Cooper (King Herod) and Hamilton's Brandon Victor Dixon (Judas) artfully walked the line between Broadway musical, pop concert and contemporary TV drama during the two-hour-plus production broadcast live. Black leather jackets and motorcylcle boots took the place of bell bottoms and bare feet in the live television adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's long-haired 1971 Broadway musical chronicling Christ's last days.

It was Legend, Bareilles and Dixon who carried most of the production.

The multiple dancers and performers who shared the stage, brought the songs to life for a modern audience without forsaking the original charm of the numbers. It featured 40-plus cast members, a large onstage orchestra and an interactive audience throughout the production.

Invitation to Readers

Have you seen and enjoyed an advertisement of great appeal to you ~

viewed in a magazine or seen on TV...seen a signboard or vehicle quote?

To most advertisements, I pay little attention; if shown in a TV program, I prefer to fill in that time gap, whether 2 or 3 or often 10 of them, to have a cup of coffee, read a few extra pages in a novel...or return a telephone call to someone. However, two amuse me.

CBC's TV circular logo previously showed a majestic lion, within the ring, roaring;

And now, a small orange and white tabby within the ring, softly 'meows'!

Hundreds of thousands of people watch the National Football League's 'Super Bowl' in January which for the past few years have been of keen interest...especially for their commercials.

A good advertisement is one which sells the product without drawing attention to itself.

Jerry Della Femina states, “There is a great deal of advertising

that is so much better than the product; the end result ~

it will put you out of business faster.”

The greatest thing to be achieved in advertising is believeability

and nothing is more believable than the product itself. (Leo Burnett)

My Favourite Advertisement/Commercial: Several ducklings were rescued from an oil spill in lake water. After being washed and cleaned, they happily and hurriedly waddled back with tiny feet in the beach sand toward their lake waters, singing I'm home...I'm home...I'm home! Nearing the water, a huge 4-lettered word appeared in the sky above them: DAWN!

This one word remains in my memory bank!

Other DAWN ads read: Tough on Crude Oil ~ Soft on Ducklings

One I recently saw illustrated a small pale yellow & brown duckling

lovingly in a person's hand with caption: Dawn Cleans More Than Dishes!

To you, my faithful readers, I extend an invitation to email to me your favourite ad/commercial that impresses you. With a few or several, I'll document them and post in a future writing. I can refer to you as...a reader....your first name only...or both Christian and Surname; please advise me.

Written by Merle Baird-Kerr...March 9, 2018

Comments welcome: mbairdkerr@bell.net or inezkate@gmail.com

Discoveries Today and Tomorrow

“Civilization has advanced from the Stone Age

all the way to the Space Era and beyond.

Planet after Planet expands through influence throughout the Universe.

In the future, we'll endure a wide range of dynamic events ~ and natural disasters.”

(Unknown author)

Frederick Seitz's Overview of Our Universe Development: “Darwin recognized that thus, for the civilization of mankind has passed through four successive stages of evolution, namely those based on fire ~ the development of agriculture ~ the development of urban life ~ and use of basic science for technical advancement ~ every age has been one of discovery.”

The Hidden Caves of a Rum-Runner

They are one of Hamilton's best kept secrets:

Dark and musty rooms ~ belonging to notorious bootlegger ~

Ben Kerr ~ that housed illicit booze and fuel for fast boats 'to outrun the feds.'

As The Spectator's Mark McNeil reveals, changes in the West Harbour

will provide a rare glimpse into the city's infamous Prohibition Era.

A large black and white photo (by George Urban) captured my attention with byline:

Ben Kerr of Hamilton used this boat to transport liquor to the United States

during the Prohibition nearly a century ago.

A small inset colour photo by John Rennison illustrates:

“Concrete rooms behind the West Harbour marina building were used

to store gasoline and marine supplies for fast boats running booze across Lake Ontario”.

Mark McNeil continues: “For decades, they have sat in obscurity and musty neglect behind a West Harbour marina building, three crumbling concrete rooms in the side of a hill, overgrown by weedtrees and burrs, and littered with junk. They're known as the 'Rum-runner's Caves' and with McDonald Marina closing down ~ and moving out this summer, they will become more visible than they have been for decades. The city, eventually plans to turn the caves into some kind of Rum-runners Heritage Interpretive Feature as part of a shoreline redesign that will remove docks and boat storage facilities from the area. What secrets, did these holes in the hill keep so long ago?

“They were part of a former marina that boats used to run illegal liquor

into U.S. It's believed that 2 of the caves stored gasoline and marine supplies.

There are doors leading into those ~ but the 3^rd room, with a crawl-space entrance

hidden behind a building that no longer stands ~ was clearly a hiding spot for illicit booze.”

A Viking settlement, Vinland was the name given to part of North America

by Icelandic Norseman, Leif Erikson about the year 1000.

L'Anse aux Meadows (from French) is an archeological site on the northernmost tip

of the island of Newfoundland in Canada's province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Discovered in 1960, it is the only certain site

of a Norse Viking settlement in North America.

New ~ Found ~ Land

Natural wonder has been discovered by the outside world!

Tourists Flocking to Peru's New-Found 'Rainbow Mountain'

The following are excerpts from Franklin Briceno's writing, published in The Associated Press:

From Pitumarca, Peru, he asserts, “Tourists gasp for breath as they climb for 2 hours to a peak in the Peruvian Andes that stands 16,404 feet (5,000 metres) above sea level. They're dead tired , but stunned by the magical beauty unfurled before them. Stripes of turquoise, lavender and gold blanket what has become known as “Rainbow Mountain,” a ridge of multi-coloured sediments laid down millions of years ago ~ and pushed up as tetonic plates clashed.

It's only been within the past 5 years that the natural wonder has been discovered

by the outside world, earning it 'must see' status

on Peru's burgeoning backpacker tourist circuit.

The popularity of Rainbow Mountain, which attracts up to 1,000 tourists each day, has provided a much-needed economic jolt to this remote region populated by struggling alpaca herders. Enviromentalists, however, fear the tourists could destroy the treasured landscape,

which is already coveted by international mining companies.

From the ecological point of view, they are 'killing the goose that lays the golden eggs,' said Dina Farfan, a Peruvian biologist who has studied threatened wildlife in the area, just a few hours from the Incan ruins of Machu Picchu. As proof, he points to a 2.5 mile (4-kilometre) dirt trail climbed by tourists to reach Rainbow Mountain that has been badly eroded in the past 18 months, scarring the otherwise pristine landscape. A wetland, once populated with migrating ducks, has also been turned into a parking lot (the size of 5 soccer fields) that fills each morning with vans of mostly European and American visitors. There are more serious threats, too.

Camino Minerals Corp., a Canadian-based mining company,

has applied for mining rights in the mineral-rich area that includes the mountain.

(The company did not respond to a request by The Associated Press

for comment on its plan.)

Yet, the flood of tourists has meant jobs and hard cash for the local Pampachiri Indigenous community, which has struggled with high rates of alcoholism, malnutrition and falling prices of wool for their prized alpaca. Many have abandonded nomadic life for dangerous gold-mining jobs in the Amazon.

Now, they charge tourists $3 each to enter their ancestral land,

netting the community roughly $400,000 a year ~ a small fortune that has triggered

a tax battle with an impoverished, nearby municipality

which has seen no part of the windfall.

The surge in tourists also comes with a responsibility to be good stewards of the environment and their new guests and Pampachiri community leader, Gabino Huaman who admits he is not sure they are ready to fully handle it. He states, “ We don't know one word in English...or First Aid.”

Despite the challenges, roughly 500 villagers have returned in the last couple of years to take up their ancestral trade of transporting goods across the Andes. The difference is that now, they are hauling tourists on horseback. “It's a blessing,” said Isaac Quispe, 25, who quit his job as a gold-miner after 6 of his camp mates were murdered. He returned home and bought a horse that last year earned him $5,200 hauling tourists uphill.

For much of the past decade,a group of shepherds had been quietly taking small groups of tourists to the mountain as part of a 5-day hike around the fast-melting Ausangate glacier. Today, the shepherds manage 4 lodges, made of eucalyptus wood with a capacity for 16 tourists each. Lighted only by candle, the lodges do have hot water : “We want them to feel the greatest comfort at 16,404 feet.”

Written by Merle Baird-Kerr...May 27, 2018

Comments welcome: mbairdkerr@bell.net or inezkate@gmail.com

National Indigenous History Month

Shylo Elmayan, a senior project manager for urban Indigenous strategies

for the City of Hamilton listens as Jacke Labonte speaks at the

Indigenous flag-raising at Hamilton City Hall.

Four different Indigenous flags will fly at City Hall for the month of June

to mark National Indigenous History Month.

In the European tradition, rivers were seen as divisions between people. But, in Aboriginal tradition, rivers are seen as the glue ~ the highway, the linkage between people (not the separation).

And that's the history of Canada: our rivers and lakes are our highways.

(John Raiston Saul)

National Indigenous Peoples Day ~ June 21 in Canada ~

represents diverse cultures and outstanding achievements

of First Nations, Inuit and Metis.

Started in 2009 with the passing of a 'unanimous motion' in the House of Commons, it marks the 150^th anniversary of the Royal Proclamation of 1763 which is the foundation of the relationship of Canada's original inhabitants and the newcomers. In recent years, Indigenous communities have been more vocal ~ demanding that their traditional rights be respected by governments.

In the winter of 2012-13, the Idle No More Indigenous movement

was the focus of protests across the country.

Native Tribes of Ontario

Ontario is an Iroquian Indian word (from the Mohawk name) meaning 'beautiful lake.' The originial inhabitants of the area that is now Ontario include: The Algonquin, Cree, Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) tribes...the Huron, Mississauga, Nipissing, Ojibwe, Oj-Cree, Ottawa, Saulteaux, Neutral and Petun tribes. The Onondaga (People of the Hills) are one of the original 5 constituent nations of the Iroquois Confederacy (Haudenosaunee). They were centrally located among the natives with the Cayuga and Seneca to the west...and the Oneida and Mohawk to their east.

The Munsee Delaware people, not originally native to Ontario, but migrated here after the Americans forced them out of their own homelands. Their descendants still live in Ontario today.

The Tribes' longhouses served as spiritual, cultural and social activities,

the seat of government and symbol of security.

Did you know that Hamilton has a Regional Indian Centre

located at 34 Ottawa Street North? (Telephone 905-548-9593)?

Its vision: Creating Change that Empowers Urban Aboriginal People.

Its mission: To provide Urban Aboriginal People with the tools

to achieve a balanced wholistic lifestyle.

Indigenous Fashion Event Weaves Identity, Tradition and Progress

Indigenous Fashion Week Toronto (May 31-June 3 at Harbourfront Centre

featured runway shows, a curated exhibition, panels and lectures, hands-on workshops and a market-place with Indigenous artists including those from Canada, the United States and Greenland.

Metis fashion designer, Evan Ducharme from Vancouver

says he welcomes more opportunities to celebrate and promote Indigenous artists and different points of view that often prioratize sustainable materials, ethnic sourcing and reduced waste.

A 25-year old artist from the Metis community of St. Ambroise, Manitoba said, “Some people looking at my work ask, “Where's the fringe? Where's the deer hide? Where's all the bead-work? Because Metis people are renowned for their bead-work. But where I was raised, none of the women in my family ever did bead-work.

Sage Paul, founder of Indigenous Fashion Week Toronto, states, “Despite the fact that many ethnic artists from Indigenous communities boast master weavers, beaders, and applique artists ~ they have yet to receive broader recognition for their talents. You can go to any Canadian tourist store, and buy a really cheap piece of beaded work that's not even made here in Canada. Those on remote reserves are at a further disadvantage because tools, materials and shipping are more expensive.”

She points to the inspiring work of Janelle Wawia, a self-taught artist

from northwestern Ontario who traps her own furs and leather.

The food goes into the community to feed community members...bones are used for tools...

and the fur is used for whatever is being made out of the clothing

.

Evan Ducharme comments: My work is always going to be an ode

to those ancestors who did everything that they could so that my generation

and the generations to come after me, would have a better tomorrow.

Grassy Narrows Health Worse Than Other First Nations

Reported by The Canadian Press in Toronto: A new health survey by Grassy Narrows First Nation shows that decades after mercury was dumped into a river system, the physical and mental health of people there is significantly worse than that of other First Nations in Canada. With fewer elders in Grassy Narrows, it suggests that people there are dying prematurely. One-third of residents of the northern Ontario reserve have lost a close friend or family member to suicide which is 5 times an average rate documented by other Ontario First Nations...and 28% had attempted suicide...and more than double the rate of other First Nations. The study also indicated that adult residents over 50, who reported eating more fish as children had experienced poorer success in school and are 2 times more likely to have an annual income of less than $20,000.

A mercury expert at Universite du Quebec, says it is the strongest evidence

that links 'grave health problems to eating mercury-contaminated fish.

A paper mill in Dryden, Ontario dumped 9,000 kilograms of the substance into the English-Wabigoon River systems in the 1960's. The Ontario government has pledged to spend $85 million to remediate the contamination of the river.

Thanks to one of my readers for the following bit of humour:

Mom, Why Did You Call Me My Name?

An Indian boy goes to his mother one day with a puzzled look on his face. “Say, Mom, why is my bigger brother named Mighty Storm?” She replied, “Because he was conceived during a mighty storm.”Then he asked her, “Why is my sister named Cornflower?” “Well,” she said, “Your father and I were in a cornfield when we made her.” He then asked, “And why is my other sister called Moonchild?” The mother replied, “We were watching the moon-landing when she was conceived.”

Pausing, the mother said to her son,

“Tell me, Torn Rubber, why are you so curious?”

Scripted by Merle Baird-Kerr...June 4, 2018

To respond: mbairdkerr@bell.net or inezkate@gmail.com