Participants canoeing during the National Aboriginal
Day activities at the Canadian Canoe Museum in
Peterborough. Click here for larger picture.
Submitted by: MNO Peterborough and District Wapiti Métis Council Chair Christa Lemelin
On June 21, 2017, the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) Peterborough and District Wapiti Métis Council (PDWMC) President Andy Dufrane, staff and citizens had the opportunity to participate in National Aboriginal Day (NAD) activities hosted by the Canadian Canoe Museum in Peterborough.
The morning started with an opening ceremony and welcome, then continued on with an Aboriginal Craft Workshop for the public. Special guests at the event included members of the Miawpukek First Nation from Newfoundland and Labrador, who travelled all the way to Peterborough to gift a handmade birchbark canoe to the museum. President Dufrane presented Chief Joe Mi’sel and the canoe makers each with a sash during the opening ceremony.
MNO PDWMC participants had the opportunity to partake in the NAD activities including a ceremonial paddle with the First Nations community and a tour of the canoe museum. It was a memorable day.
At the end of the day, President Dufrane and MNO PDWMC Chair Christa Lemelin had the honour of participating in the ceremonial paddle with the Miawpukek First Nation canoe builders, in a 36 foot Montreal voyageur canoe owned by the Canadian Canoe Museum. The voyage took place at the famous Peterborough Lift Lock on the Trent Severn Waterway.
Posted: August 15, 2017