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Sudbury

First Beach

We moved to the Atikameksheng Anishnawbek First Nation for 6 months then in Lively, less than 10 minutes away, for another 2 years. We were less than a half hour drive from Sudbury.  

Reserve Road

Whitefish Lake, pictured here and above, is my favorite spot to date.  I feel an attachment to the First Beach on the reservation.  One of my earliest memories is of being in a hammock made from a blanket strung between two trees on the beach.  Midnight bonfires on the beach are magical.  It is just you and someone special sitting in the complete dark with only a bonfire and a gazillion stars that seem so close that you could reach out and touch them. You feel like you are sitting among the stars.  Very romantic.  Let's go skinny dipping!

pow-wow

Pow wows are usually 2-3 day events where family, friends and communities come together to eat, drink, dance and trade.  They are started with a Grand Entrance by  the chief and the elders and the dancers into the arena through the Eastern gate, then a prayer for which everyone stands. 

Watching the dancers is fascinating.  Jingle dress and shawl dancers are beautiful but the grass dancers draw your eye with their footwork and gyrations.  Dances tell stories of animals and of natural elements and they are celebrations.  Dancing is a part of the healing process.

Native art and crafts are on display for purchase at many stalls as well as my favorite native fare, scone and salt pork.  We are invited to join the dancers and the girls put on their new moccasins to join the dancers.  

Pictures are not allowed without proper consent. There  are a few rules of etiquette so if you are not sure about a procedure just ask someone.  The drummer's music and singing is very powerful. The regalia that the dancers wear is usually made for them,  given to them or won at a pow wow.  The dancers compete often for large prizes.

I still laugh when I remember Rob's reaction to seeing this tipi in my dad's front yard.

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