Bartleman visits Manitoulin chiefs and Elders

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The appointment of Ontario's first Aboriginal lieutenant governor is a morale boost for First Nations communities throughout the province. James K. Bartleman included Manitoulin Island on his recent goodwill tour of Northern Ontario.

"I have never had the pleasure of visiting Manitoulin before," he said. "I am very happy to visit the largest fresh water island in the world, this island named after the Great Spirit."

Since taking over the five year posting in March of this year, Bartleman has been consulting with Elders' groups and reconnecting with the land. "I just like to shake hands with the people I meet and to acknowledge their cares, their aspirations and their family life," he told a welcoming committee at the Ojibwe Cultural Foundation (OCF) in M'Chigeeng. "It is nice to meet people throughout the province and to see how similar we are."

Paul Nadijiwan, director of the foundation, assisted by Sam Senecal, conducted a pipe ceremony "to commemorate this wonderful day."

"It is good to see a First Nations person appointed to such an important position in the province," Nadijiwan said. "I hope it will help to communicate First Nations goals to the public and the government."

Accompanied by his youngest son, Alain, the lieutenant governor enjoyed the Thunderbird pipe song and the Song of the Sun Spirit performed by the Sucker Creek drum group.

M'Chigeeng Chief Glen Hare told the gathering, "It is a giant step forward for us that a First Nations individual has achieved this title. The appointment will assist our lobbying efforts and help us in our work. I look forward to the partnership."

"We have a lot of pride knowing that a First Nations member is in this high position," added Chief Leona Nahwegahbow of the Birch Island band. "He is doing a lot of role modelling for young people. He is demonstrating that there are opportunities for youth beyond their dreams."

Violet McGregor, chair of the OCF Elders Advisory Committee, agreed that Bartleman appears to be more visible and accessible than previous appointees. In her role, McGregor said she has met many lieutenant governors over the years.

"People are more apt to visit him because he's one of us," she said. "He's more understanding of the needs of Aboriginal people."

She hopes to make Bartleman aware of the goals of the OCF in its mission to preserve First Nations culture and language. Of particular importance is the expansion of the museum at the M'Chigeeng cultural centre. "We will make sure he knows what the museum is all about," McGregor stressed. "Perhaps in the future he can assist us with getting more support for the museum. I know good things will happen from this visit."

Sagamok Elder, Madonna Toulouse, travelled to Manitoulin to meet the provincial dignitary. "It is the first time an Indian has been nominated for an honor like this," she said. "This is a breakthrough for us to have a First Nations person as lieutenant governor. The next step is for a Native person to be premier and prime minister."

Gertrude Lewis of Serpent River First Nation echoed Toulouse's dream. "We are getting there," she said of the appointment. "He is getting to know all the different areas where the First Nations people live. A lot of the politicians just stay in the cities and are unaware of the problems that people face in terms of housing and transportation," she said."

The lieutenant governor toured the art exhibits and museum artifacts before continuing on to the Queen Mother M'Nidoo-M'Nissing Provincial Park, established two years ago by the Nature Conservancy of Canada.

Parks Ontario personnel introduced Bartleman to a variety of endangered flora and fauna now protected in the M'Nidoo-M'Nissing conservation area.

Reflecting on the events of the day, Bartleman said, "The theme of the day is definitely harmony. I note the harmony between nature and human settlement; I observe the harmony that exists between the local people and the summer visitors. I have ben spending my summers in Muskoka for the past 35 years and there's a similar feeling here on Manitoulin, but this is really quite unique."