Sharing Native culture with the world

Page 10

Thousands of Catholic people from hundreds of nations around the world flocked to Toronto this past July 22 to 28 to take part in World Youth Day 2002 where youth celebrated religion.

Clinging to each other, groups of 20, 30, sometimes 50, individuals would pass through the crowds chanting, "John Paul II, we love you," some in English and some in their mother tongues.

But as you walked through the crowd and ventured around to the other side of one particular building, where people became scarce and all was quiet again, a group of people were doing some celebrating of their own.

Shaded by the leaves from maple trees were Aboriginal people from Australia as well as those from Canada's First Nations.

Though many sat silent, others were busy dressing for a traditional powwow.

"I'm the chief flag stick maker," joked Larry McLeod, as he whittled away at a piece of wood he was making for Francilla, a visitor from Australia.

McLeod, a member of the Nippissing First Nation in the North Bay area of Ontario, made more than 10 flag sticks that day, and never charged anyone for his time or his materials.

"These people have traveled to a place where they thought there would be a lot of wood, but we are here in a cement desert in Toronto," said McLeod pointing past the chain link fence that separated this oasis from the buzz of the city.

"There are people who are here from Northern Quebec. They couldn't get enough sticks together to build a ceremonial lodge." But even with the lack of resources, McLeod was able to send every one of his customers away proudly displaying their nation's colors, as well as taking away knowledge as to what Canadian Aboriginal people believe in regards to colors, human nature and mother earth.

McLeod was requested to set up a display at the event after the World Youth Day cross passed through his community last year and he told stories of how Aboriginal life was back in the early years of Canada.

To fulfill this request, McLeod brought along some of his traditional crafts, including snowshoes, canoes, bowls, tiny boxes, knives and clothing.

"Most of these displays describe life and how the Creator gave us life," explained McLeod. "I use my crafts (to teach people), you have to start with something. They have to develop that connection to the earth, the Creator, God. When you come to a mixed group like this, I try to talk in their way."

When McLeod shows a stranger his work he often tells the story of how it was made and what it would be used for.

Like the tiny intricate snowshoes he had displayed. They will not be used for anything other than decoration, he explained, but while he made these shoes his grandson watched and now also knows how to make snowshoes.

He speaks of when taking from Mother Nature you must give something back such as tobacco. When cutting a tree tell the tree how it will feel pain, and when hunting an animal thank it for giving you its life to fulfill your own.

"If I wanted to simplify it, it is to show that our Aboriginal people are very spiritual people and if you follow what they know about their connection, the churches would make better followers or believers," said McLeod.

McLeod said when he was asked to be a part of this celebration of Catholicism he had no reason not to despite the controversy surrounding First Peoples and their history in residential schools.

"My mother went to residential schools. She learned a lot and carried those teachings on to us," said McLeod.

A belief that was echoed by Steve Teekens of Toronto Native Child and Family Services, who was busy hand making a ceremonial drum.

"[This event is] a cultural exchange and this allows us to inform people about our culture," said Teekens.

Teekens leads a drum group called the Red Spirit Singers who danced and sang for Pope John Paul II during the historic mass on July 28.

"I don't see anything wrong with this, drumming at such an event, but some people do because of residential schoolin and stuff," said Teekens. "But this is about forgiveness for the youth of today and it gives these youth drummers and dancers a chance to be in front of so many people."