Maroc - MYMUSKOKANOW.COM - A La Une - 21/Jun 17:38

‘See Muskoka Through Our Eyes’ powwow being hosted in Bracebridge

Annie Williams Memorial Park in Bracebridge will host the first-ever "See Muskoka Through Our Eyes" powwow.  It was organized through a partnership involving Christopher Stock, Linda Nicholson, and the Parry Sound Friendship Centre.  "We want to share our culture, our history, some of our languages, some of our arts and crafts, our food but more importantly help connect us as the greater Muskoka community to learn about each other and who we are," explains Stock.  The powwow will be hosted on June 29 and 30.  It will begin with a sunrise ceremony on Saturday just after 5 a.m. with the powwow officially opening later that morning at 8. A drum roll call and "grand entry" will be done at noon with music, dancing, and vendors open until 5 p.m.  The powwow resumes Sunday at 7:30 a.m. and continues until 4 p.m. when the closing ceremony will be held.  Stock explains the idea for the powwow stems from the orange benches that were installed throughout Muskoka in 2023, including at Memorial Park in Bracebridge, along with the formation of the Muskoka Area Indigenous Leadership Table that was formed in 2019.  Nicholson explains Annie Williams Memorial Park was chosen because of the significance the Muskoka River has to Indigenous culture locally.  "It's where our people came together in the past and met and journeyed off in their different ways," she says. "It was a gathering spot."  Nicholson explains they would rest and wait to see who else survived the winter. After taking time to enjoy each other's company, some would travel down the south branch of the river while others would go north towards what is now Algonquin Park.  "We want to bring back the full attention to what makes Muskoka special: it's the water, it's the land, and it's the tree," continues Nicholson. "It's all of nature. And that's why everyone comes here."  Stock says it's an opportunity for everyone to step back, take a breath, and enjoy what we have. "We tend to get caught up in the everyday way of living, but we don't see the forestry or the rest of nature," he adds.  Over the past few years, Nicholson says there have been a lot of lessons learned about Indigenous history, including about residential schools. "I know a lot of people sit in a place of feeling like they're being blamed for what happened in the past," she says. However, she reassures this is not about blaming anyone, but about learning something. "What we want you to do is think of that and go forward in a good way," she outlines. "Understand where we come from, why some of the things you see in the negative, why they're happening and why they happened."  Delores McKay, chief executive officer for the Parry Sound Friendship Centre, explains how they’re based in Parry Sound, but offer some services in Muskoka, with plans to expand further into the area.  "We have a wonderful team that's always open and willing to help," she says, noting how they were on the six initial friendship centres founded in 1966.  She says with the conversation surrounding Truth and Reconciliation continuing, along with more pressure on the government to adhere to the 94 calls to action in the Truth and Reconciliation Committee of Canada's June 2015 report, now is the time to bring the community together.  "This is a real time of healing," says McKay.  She echos what Nicholson said about learning. McKay says they're hosting the powwow in a public place for that very reason.  "Everyone will be more than happy to share with you," she says.  The post ‘See Muskoka Through Our Eyes’ powwow being hosted in Bracebridge appeared first on My Muskoka Now.