Spring celebrated with urban feast

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Once a year, Clara Prince, 65, makes a four-day pilgrimage from her home in Timmins to Kitchener, to take part in the White Owl Traditional Spring Feast at the Victoria Park Pavilion hall.

The Weejeendimin Native Resource Centre in 1985 began holding a feast in the spring and fall for Aboriginal people who they believe would not otherwise get a chance to celebrate the rites of their heritage.

"It's something we believe in," said Carol Musgrove, director and organizer for the event. "You can keep holding onto your traditions even though you live in the city."

This desire to hold on to tradition is one of the reasons why Prince began taking part in the feasts in 1987.

At that time, Prince and her late husband, Ambrose, were living in Kitchener and were attending many events the centre held, in an effort to keep their traditions alive.

When Ambrose passed away in 1996, she soon left Kitchener and moved up to Timmins.

It was then she began to miss the friends she had made at the centre, so she decided to pack up her vehicle and make the eight-hour drive south to Kitchener every year.

"I like to be with the people," said Prince. "I like to see all the people I used to see everyday."

While in Kitchener, Prince also takes time to visit her husband's grave, which she says keeps his memory alive.

"We used to go together," she said. "Now I go to the cemetery and put flowers there."

Prince also uses the feast as a way to share different traditional foods and recipes with people who may never have tried them.

"This year I'm bringing rabbit, partridge and beaver meat," she said.

Bringing food is something Musgrove asks all of the 250 expected guests to do.

"I will have some moose and venison, plus we supply cheese trays and cold meat trays," said Musgrove. "There is a lady here at the centre who makes bannock and corn soup, and then people are asked to each bring at least one plate. If you have traditional food, bring that, and if you just have regular food, bring that."

She also encourages people to bring along dish packs rather than using the provided Styrofoam plates, to help preserve the environment.

"April is Mother Earth environment month," explained Musgrove.

Those attending the spring feast will also be entertained by drum groups from Guelph and Kitchener, and will have the opportunity to take part in some traditional dancing.

The event will be held on April 13, at the Victoria Park Pavilion from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.

For more information contact Carol Musgrove at the centre by calling 519-743-8653.