Drums beat again for Nawash community

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After 150 years of silence, the drums have returned to the site of a former Ojibway village on the shores of Owen Sound Bay, Lake Huron.

In an emotional ceremony, the Return of the Drums traditional powwow reunited the Ojibway people now called the Chippewas of Nawash with the home of their ancestors for the first time since they were relocated in the 1850s.

For the Chippewas of Nawash, who now live on a small reserve on a rocky headland about 25 miles to the north, the powwow was a reminder of the life their ancestors enjoyed in this beautiful location that is now a park in downtown Owen Sound, said Chief Ralph Akiwenzie.

"I think history has borne out that there is continuity and the continuity is that these are our ancestral homelands. We're not very far from home. We're very close," he said.

Leeann Eamer, executive director of the M'Wikwedong Native Centre in Owen Sound, said the powwow was an opportunity for the Nawash to share their heritage with the non-Natives.

"It helps bridge the gap for us to share the positive side of our culture," said Eamer, who organized the event.

Gail McCartney, a non-Native woman who helped Eamer plan the powwow, said it was a privilege to have been involved.

"It was wonderful to build up a relationship between our cultures," she said.

Owen Sound Mayor Stew Taylor, who joined in the grand entry with Akiwenzie, couldn't agree more. He said that in 20 years of municipal life he hadn't experienced "anything more special."

"It's truly an historical moment. We're delighted that the drums have returned. Welcome home," said Taylor.

"I've found this to be a very emotional experience. It's a special feeling to hear the drums and somehow your heartbeat matches it," said Taylor, fighting back the tears.

He noted the mayor's chain of office, which is worn at special events, has symbols depicting the city's heritage. One of the symbols is a bronze, gold and silver figure of a Native person at the original Nawash village.

Sergeant Warren John is the police chief in the area's other Ojibway community, the Chippewas of Saugeen, located about 20 miles west of Owen Sound. John led the veterans during grand entry and said it was a special moment when non-Native veterans joined in.

"It feels good to see that. The patriotic feeling is important," said John, who was a gunnery sergeant in the U.S. Marines for five years in the 1980s.

As well as uniting the non-Native and Native community, the powwow brought together the people of Cape Croker and their brothers and sisters from Saugeen, said Akiwenzie.

Eamer hopes the powwow becomes an annual event.

"Now the drums have been heard here again, it would be a shame if they were silent again," she said.