The first ever Algonquin Days (September 18 and 19, 2026) began with a sunrise ceremony conducted by Kitigan Zibi fire keeper Peter Decontie. I arrived at the ceremonial site at 6:20 am and found a small group of Algonquins standing in the area where the sacred fire was soon to be ignited. ‘Fire’, one kindled with truth, pride and our commitment to the future generations, would keep the fire burning brightly throughout the day.
Seagulls glided on open wings high in the sky, crows cackled on the branches of nearby trees. The energies of Mino Manido, the Good Spirit, filled the breeze around those gathered.
When Frank McGregor (such a strong voice for our Nation) began smudging the people in attendance, I counted 13 persons but before he was finished purifying the space, the circle grew to number 17. The fire keeper began his communication, sending words of prayer in Anishinabemowin, going forth from the physical to the spiritual, as had been done for millennia. I was greatly moved by what I witnessed. A solemn spiritual moment for all in the circle, to be sure.
Frank spoke in English afterwards, letting all of us know how the elder’s prayer had unfolded, what was said and why it was said in the fashion directed by long ago ancestors. All of us in the circle had an opportunity then to speak words, any words we wished to share, the circle was ready to receive them. What is said in the circle is kept in the circle forevermore and all are at peace with knowing this. It was a powerful moment, this sunrise ceremony. I am so happy I was there to be part of it!
Algonquin Days, the first of many more to come in the future! Time with Algonquins, at a site where visitors are welcome, no matter the colour of their skin or cultural background. People of all creeds and ages came to learn about who the Algonquins are. Algonquins have been here since the beginning of time. Our creation story has its origins here, where our first breath of life was taken as human beings. We never came to our territory via an ice bridge at the Bering Strait. I have said many times, “Accept that 12,000 years ago some First Nations Peoples went out of this continent, crossed the ice bridge to see what was at the other side of it.” All people of the world have a creation story. I as a human rights activist defend your right to believe the creation story you tell of how you came into being. Allow me then, to believe my story.
The Algonquin chiefs who were in attendance spoke passionately and with eloquence on the stage of the Horticulture Building at Lansdowne Park. Grand Chief Verna Polson, Kitigan Zibi Chief Jean-Guy Whiteduck and Pikwakanagan Chief Greg Sarazin – such great representative of the Nation.
Anishinabe Algonquin Days are necessary!
Though it is very disturbing, the fact remains that there are many mean-spirited people still, who believe that the severe oppression heaped onto the First Peoples by Canadians through the force of the ‘Indian Act’ never happened! They refuse to believe that thousands of children died in Canada’s ‘Residential Schools’. “It’s all lies,” they shout! They believe that Canada ‘gives’ millions of dollars to ‘Reserves’ only to have the chiefs of these communities “take it for themselves and buy Rolls Royces with the cash.” They believe when the Pope said in his last visit to Canada, that a ‘genocide’ occurred here, was nothing more than evidence of how people can be fooled into believing the lies told by the Indigenous Peoples. Many Algonquins endured the abuse of the Residential Schools. It’s not a lie! It was the Indian Act in action!
What I describe above was the experience of my youngest sister last week when she held an Orange Shirt event in the town where she lives. Two of her lifelong friends scolded her for promoting ‘lies’. Sad as it is, I have come across people like them many, many times since my life as a human rights activist began in 1988. Those people, so good at bashing the Indigenous people would never have found the strength to survive the Indian Act if it had been their experience.
Anishinabe Algonquin Days will hopefully help the truth to be revealed. The Algonquins never sold, gave away or rented out their lands to ANYONE! We were never conquered! Do not make the mistake of treating us as if we have been!
Algonquins pay their own way on our resource-rich lands. We have always believed that the best of best of things are here. The settlers on our territory believe this to be a fact, too. If they did not believe it, they would leave here to live elsewhere. Our chiefs, like other political leaders everywhere, are seen by people who voted them in as trustworthy and honourable individuals who will do their best in bringing wellness to their communities. They are not thieves and pillagers.
I end by heaping tremendous praise on the City’s officials who helped out at Anishinabe Algonquin Days. These good, kind-hearted people did much more than I expected of them. These folks placed a song in my heart I will spiritually be in harmony with for many seasons to come. They include Lindsey Kirby-McGregor, Natalí Zúñiga, Dylan Whiteduck and many others. These people and other volunteers were at the service of the Algonquins throughout both days of the event. We had need for nothing. They put ‘hope’, a true and strong definition of what hope is into our hearts that tell us, “we step now into a new energized relationship with the City of Ottawa and her citizens.” I look forward to doing my part in bringing peace of mind to all who are honourable citizens of Ottawa.
Keep the Circle Strong,
South Wind (Albert Dumont)
