Five vie for chief in Wikwemikong

by Michael Erskine

WIKWEMIKONG---Candidates in the August 21 election for chief and council of Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve have been nominated, and after the initial withdrawal period, five candidates remain in the race for chief.

The five candidates remaining in the race for chief are Stuart Assiniwe, Robert (Bobby) Corbiere, Raymond Gerry Kaboni, Stanley Peltier, Gladys F. Wakegijig.

Incumbent chief Walter Manitowabi did not let his name stand for re-election.

Candidates vying for the 12 seats on band council are Stuart Assiniwe, Gail J. D. Assiniwe-Shawana, Dominic Beaudry, Harvey Stephen Bell, Gilbert Dokum, Hazel Fox-Recollet, Art Jacko Jr., Kenneth Jacko, Raymond Jackson, Gerry Raymond Kaboni, Phyllis V. Kimewon, Wanda Kimewon, Daryl King, Rosella M. Kinoshameg, Darren Kozeyah, Eugene A. Manitowabi, Margaret (Tish) Manitowabi, Rolanda Manitowabi, Ron (Toke) Manitowabi, Medora Manitowabi-Hicks, Anna (Tillie) McGregor, Lloyd Thomas McGregor, Ellen J. Murray, Karen Neganigwane-Pheasant, Ron Odjig, Cecilia J.C. Pitwanakwat, Connie (Constance A.) Shawanda, James Simon, Jeffrey Toulouse, Howard (Small-Boy) Trudeau, Nellie Bertha Trudeau, Honorine Trudeau-Wright, Mary Jo Wabano, Gladys F. Wakegijig, Evelyn Mary Wemigwans.

Chief Electoral Officer Sonya Pitawanakwat said that candidates may still withdraw up to the date of the election.

"Their names will still appear on the ballot," she said. "But they don't have to run."

There will be one poll for the election, located in the band office, open from 9 am to 8 pm. The ballots will be counted the following day, August 22.

Inquiries on the election may be directed to Ms. Pitawanakwat at either her parents' number, 859-2086, or (416) 604-9115, Ms. Pitawanakwat's Toronto number. (Ms. Pitawanakwat is in Toronto working on her bar admission exams).

by Neil Zacharjewicz

WHITEFISH RIVER - The Whitefish River First Nation is set to receive $2.5 million from the Indian and Northern Affairs Canada for the construction of a new school.

According to Whitefish River Chief Franklin Paibomsai his community has received a commitment from Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) to fund the construction of a new school in 2009-2010. But that does not mean the community intends to wait that long to begin construction of a new facility. Chief Paibomsai said now that the community has received a funding commitment, they will work out a financing arrangement with a bank to ensure that construction can begin in the spring of 2005.

"I am so excited we were able to work out this agreement with INAC," Chief Paibomsai said. "It is a good business practice."

The agreement  to allow the community to finance the project in advance of receiving the funds was only made possible because of the good audits the band has achieved over the years. Chief Paibomsai said it was a real testament to the management structure the band enjoys. The funding arrangement also illustrates a strong political commitment to meet the needs of the community members of the Whitefish River First Nation, he added.

If all goes well, Chief Paibomsai indicated, the new facility could be open by as early as 2006. Presently, the masterplan calls for a school capable of handling students from Junior Kindergarten to Grade Five, but he said the community is looking to explore the idea with the Ministry of Community and Social Services of housing a daycare within the same building.

The new facility will replace the current Shawanosowe School, which the chief admitted is due to be "retired."

"That facility has lived its life," he said.

The new school will be built in the new Maple Heights subdivision, which officially celebrated its grand opening last Friday. According to Chief Paibomsai, the community hopes to build the school using local materials such as slate, limestone and white pine, and the workers will be hired locally.

"We are going to try to use local materials and labour to the greatest extent possible," Chief Paibomsai stated.

by Michael Erskine

MANITOULIN---Little Current is out of duct tape. News of the Red Green binder drought followed swiftly on the heels of an announcement of a cardboard boat race as part of the events surrounding the 2004 Mackinac-Manitoulin Yacht Race.

"Duct tape was sold out in Little Current, as early as July 16," said Ms. Van Camp, the Little Current Yacht Club organizer of the weekend's events. "Joanne at Tim's assures me they have ordered plenty of red, yellow and blue duct tape."

Would-be shipwrights have been raiding local businesses for building material, and the run on cardboard has almost matched the drain on duct tape. Judging from the reports from the street, the event should see a huge flotilla of cardboard vessels taking to the waters of Low Island on Saturday, July 24.

As the final days count down to the yacht race, organizers are taking stock of the many events planned for the weekend, and quite a weekend it is shaping up to be.

But there are some serious undertones to the race as well, it is not all fun and games, as the race has given Manitoulin a much higher profile in the Michigan area, an area with ancient connections to the Island and the North Channel.

When the race begins on July 21, at Mackinac Island, Michigan, it will be following much of the historical route of the first of the two international races now based in that sailing mecca. That first race was largely an excuse to cruise the famed waters of the Georgian Bay area.

When the racers reach Little Current, on Friday, July 21, they will arrive in the midst of a new major summer event for the area, and putting that all together has been quite an undertaking for the many volunteers involved.

"This has been an incredible learning experience for all of us," said Race Chair and Little Current Yacht Club Vice-commodore Don Gray. "The orientation of the weekend is on family activities and Marg Van Camp has really done an incredible job in setting up the events."

The racers will be stopping over in Gore Bay on Thursday, July 22, where they will be treated to social events that include a Rotary Fish Dinner for the racers and their crews, and a public social with several musical performers including the Manitoulin Swing Band, Colleen McQuarrie, and Sudbury's Wind Chill. The social runs between 4 pm and 11 pm, and is concurrent with a beer and wine garden.

The Gore Bay Fire Department is running the beer and wine garden, with proceeds going to support that organization.

"We are hoping all members of the public will take part," said Social Event Committee Member Chris Blodgett, who noted the Little Current Yacht Club plans for the event are much more elaborate than the single-night Gore Bay plans.

There will be 37 complementary events going on in Little Current between July 23 and 25, that's in addition to the main event Friday afternoon, when over 20 sailboats come into Little Current harbour for the inaugural race to the finish line at the town docks.

From a sailboat colouring contest at Guardian Pharmacy, to a 2 pm puppet show at the Cenotaph, with face painting, fish ponds, and an Origami Boat Craft session, the afternoon will be a child's garden of delight.

Throughout Friday and Saturday, buskers (street musicians) will fill the air with music and a great Italian dinner will help top up the evening in style.

A little history will be provided by local historian Sandy McGillivray while you take in a horse-drawn wagon ride through the town of Little Current, and there will be plenty of things to talk about at the Lions Club hospitality tent down at Spider Bay Marina.

Don't stay up too late Friday night though, the events start early on Saturday, and there is a lot going on that visitors and residents will not want to miss.

After breakfast at the Anglican Church, shooting a few hoops in the post office parking lot will tighten up your game before the 3-on-3 later at Low Island; the United Church Silent Auction will have plenty to bid on and to stretch out the kinks there will be a Yoga session at the 4elements Studio. The Manitoulin Fine Arts display will provide an afternoon diversion as well.

In fact art in its many forms will provide a lot of the focus for the day, with Lorne Haddad's watercolour demonstration at Turner's, Nick Cywink's agate painting at the Rain Barrel, Gwen Bond's art and quilt show at Dreamer's Cove and the 4elements Art Gallery at the studio.

The kids certainly haven't been left out of the picture, with pony rides, kite flying at Low Island and kayaks and canoes at Spider Bay and the three-on-three basketball tourney at Low Island will also be quite the event.

The cardboat boat races are going to be a major event of the weekend.

In more sedentary pursuits, De-ba-jeh-mu-jig Theatre Group will be bringing their latest production, 'The Gift' to the Low Island portico and it is just a short hop from there to the hospitality tent.

"They have something very special planned for Saturday night," said Little Current Yacht Club Commodore Roy Eaton. "We were looking for something different, a little unique to set us apart from the other races, races that have been going on for a 100 years."

Seek and ye shall find, so they say, and in seeking the Yacht Club found that the Antique Car Owners of Manitoulin would be willing to ferry each captain and their crew to the awards dinner at the NEMI Recreation Complex aboard an antique vehicle.

There Manitoulin Sea Cadets will serve delicious local smoked fish, courtesy of the Northern Ontario Aquaculture Association, while Brant Gebhardt entertains on the harp. Brian Chapman will pipe the guests into the Italian themed upper hall for a delicious roast beef dinner.

The night will conclude with Steve Nunn's indoor sailboat races.

Come Sunday morning Mayor Joe Chapman will lead an early morning run (7 am), and then an ecumenical service led by Rev. Faye Stevens will take place at the Cenotaph before the captains and crews begin to make their way home.

Putting an event together like this for the first time may have presented a lot of challenges, but it has been well worth it.

"This has been like another full-time job for a lot of us," laughed Mr. Gray. "The first one is always a lot more work; there are a lot of little details we didn't know about at the start.'

One example of something that came up unexpectedly was the need for transportation of the boats race crews back to Mackinaw, so the sailboat owners themselves can stay and cruise the local waters for a few days after the race.

"Who knew there wasn't a bus service connection to Mackinaw from Espanola," said Mr. Gray. Luckily, a tour bus operator in Gore Bay came to the rescue, agreeing to provide charter buses to return the crews to their home ports, and because of that, two more boats were able to enter the race.

Advertising for the event has stretched all the way to Michigan, and with a $41,000 marketing budget, advertising coordinator Bruce O'Hare has managed to parlay the event into international awareness. The budget, $35,000 of which came from FedNor, the balance from the Little Current Yacht Club, has placed the race in every major boating and yacht race magazine. In addition, numerous articles in major boating magazines have placed Manitoulin in the forefront with visibility far in excess of the purchased advertising. Manitoulin is truly on the global boating map with this race.

"We have been so very lucky with the number and quality of people who have stepped forward to make this race a success," said Mr. Gray. "It has truly become an event for the entire community."

Couple circumnavigate the Island in kayaks

by Michael Erskine

SOUTH BAYMOUTH---Teachers Wendy Killoran and Michael Bradley added the circumnavigation of the world's largest fresh water Island to the list of their many accomplishments, pulling into Southbay Resort last week for a well deserved rest in a soft bed.

The couple were enjoying a fine meal, one not cooked over a coleman or small wood fire, at the Garden's Gate restaurant in Tehkummah when they took time to talk about what drew them to Manitoulin, and what they liked most once they got here.

First of all the pair explained how two teachers, separated by the better part of two provinces, managed to meet and come to decide to explore the Manitoulin.

"Wendy is a writer and a photographer," said Mr. Bradley, who hails from Hatley, Quebec. "I read one of her pieces in a magazine and dropped her a note on-line."

Ms. Killoran, who teaches in London, Ontario when she isn't adventuring or writing, wrote back, and during the course of conversation discovered a mutual love of the outdoors and kayaking in particular.

When planning the destination for this trip, the short list included Prince Edward Island, but Manitoulin had a number of things going for it that eventually won out.

"The Island is close enough for both of us," said Mr. Bradley, "and the fact that it is fresh water played a part as well."

Both of the teachers have a love of geology, and the wide range of rock and fossil formations on the shores of Manitoulin and its accompanying Islands, were a major attraction for the duo.

"The textures are absolutely astounding," said Ms. Killoran. "The water is incredibly clear and the most amazing colour of green."

"You could see fish swimming, 20, 30 feet down," said Mr. Bradley.

The trip around Manitoulin by kayak took the couple 12 days, but that included only 10 days of actual paddling.

"We had seven really short days," said Mr. Bradley. "On the first day off the ferry, we only paddled for two-and-a-half hours."

At the end of each day, the perfect spot to camp would appear.

"We laughed and said that the Great Manitou would provide for us," said Ms. Killoran.

"Well, it would only be a few minutes later that we would come upon the perfect spot," recalled Mr. Bradley. "It was almost eerie."

The unspoiled shoreline of Manitoulin was the backdrop for their trip, and the couple were astonished at just how quiet and peaceful the journey proved to be, and how few other paddlers and boaters they actually encountered.

"We saw almost nobody else out paddling," said Ms. Killoran. "This is one of the most beautiful places to kayak in the world, but there were only a handful of fisherman out on the water. We thought we would see lots of people."

The relative accessibility of Manitoulin Island's rocky shores was a big factor in attracting the couple to the area, but the word of her pristine shores has not spread very far yet.

"It is amazing really, when you consider that Manitoulin is one of the most accessible places for wilderness adventure in the world," said Ms. Killoran.

"The people we did meet here were very friendly and helpful," said Ms. Killoran, who singled out Southbay Resort owner, Roy Bryant, as being particularly helpful.

"I try to be helpful to everybody," laughed Mr. Bryant. "We had one fellow last year who went around the Island all by himself, a fellow by the name of Jim Stillman, of Michigan."

Mr. Bryant said his own personal philosophy is to provide as much help to visitors as possible. The more people who enjoy a Manitoulin experience, he said, the more they will tell their friends to come here.

"Roy Bryant was wonderful," said Ms. Killoran. "He took care of everything, he seemed to know just what we needed, and he really went that extra bit to make everything come together."

In addition to memorable people, the attraction of memorable places and experiences is a strong draw for Island visitors, and for the kayaking teachers the most memorable place fro them was a small island in Smith Bay, a spit of land the couple nicknamed 'Tern Island,' stood out among the stops on their journey.

"The water had unbelievable clarity," said Mr. Bradley. "We saw a lot of terns and cormorants."

As they came closer, they discovered that terns had built their nests amongst the crags and outcroppings lining the shore, while the island itself was a fascinating study in yellow rock formations.

The trip was not without its challenges, however, as the couple discovered while they were navigating the south shore.

"We thought it would be easier travelling east on the south shore, with the prevailing west winds at our back," said Mr. Bradley. "We figured that the North Channel would protect us somewhat going into the wind."

Progress paddling upwind in the channel was down to three kilometers an hour at one point.

"We usually average around six to seven kilometers and hour on a good day," said Ms. Killoran.

Even when they neared the quarry at the furthermost tip of the Island, the unspoiled beauty remained just that.

"We camped on the shore one night," recalled Mr. Bradley. "When we got up in the morning, we paddled for barely 10 minutes when we came around a bend and there was a big laker being loaded with stone."

With small maritime communities dotting the shoreline, lighthouses and museums easily accessible from the water, and a host of friendly welcoming people everywhere they turned, Manitoulin Island is a place any kayaker should add to their list," said Ms. Killoran. She is definitely qualified to know, as she has kayaked from Greenland to Iceland, across rivers and lakes throughout the world.

"The waters around Manitoulin stand out amongst them all," she said. "I just love it here."

Over coffee and some sinfully decadent dessert at the Garden's Gate, the kayakers recalled the people and sights they had experienced on their Manitoulin adventure.

"There is a spirit here, something in the air, the rocks and the water that really makes Manitoulin a special place," said Mr. Bradley.

"We called it the Spirit of the Manitou," said Ms. Killoran. "Whatever it is, it is really something special."