Anishinawbe Blog

MR. PETER ROSENTHAL: “Is it conceivable, Mr. Commissioner, that John Carson would still have allowed those officers to march on these people at eleven o’clock at night if that had been the political message he had received?”

“Sorry, I just got stung by something.”

“It’s not just a fly.  It was—excuse me.  All right, it was a very big fly.”

COMMISSIONER SIDNEY LINDEN:   “A very big fly.”

MR. PETER ROSENTHAL:   “The OPP has agents everywhere.”

COMMISSIONER SIDNEY LINDEN:   “Do you want to have a moment?  Do you want to take a…”

MR. PETER ROSENTHAL:   “It’s actually a sting of some kind.  No, it’s okay.  It’ll inspire me to greater venom.”

“But I did interrupt myself at a rather crucial point and so may I reiterate that…”

ALGONQUIN PARK – What makes a good pow-wow? Great weather. Lots of good food. Hospitality. Good singing and dancing. It isn’t really about the numbers, although it is good to have hundreds of dancers in beautiful regalia, and dozens of drums given their best. Most importantly, I feel it’s about having lots of friends and a great organization.
I attended the Algonquin Park Annual Pow-Wow for the second straight year at beautiful Centennial Ridges. These beautiful bluffs look out over the Lake of Two Rivers, home of the Algonquin people and traditional territory of the Anishinaabe. This is a spectacular backdrop for the pow-wow and for some great camping.Once again, I was really impressed and happy to be there. This pow-wow isn’t put on by seasoned vets of the pow-wow trail. It’s put on by highly motivated, hard working people each and every year. They strive to make everyone happy and comfortable. They work to uphold our traditions by holding teaching and sharing circles every morning.I was happy to be the MC at the gathering this weekend. There was only three drums and about 20 dancers or so – but that didn’t matter. We all felt the good feeling at this little pow-wow. There were many visitors, tourists and almost all stayed the whole day, either Saturday and Sunday. It was an excellent time.I was pleased that Lisa-Marie and Stan Taylor honoured the organizers with a special giveaway on Sunday afternoon. The couple presented Lisa Boldt with an eagle fan and Michael Boldt with an eagle whistle for their appreciation. Congratulations Lisa and Mike, these honours are well deserved.
I also enjoyed the two hoop dance specials to raise money for neutro-fibromatosis. First-time hoop dancer Penny showed us all the teaching of bravery not only by dancing with over twenty hoops, but in sharing her book called “I am NF”. Penny’s book features revealing photos of her, illustrating not just her disorder, but her courage and outward personality.Neurofibromatosis (NF) is a genetic disorder of the nervous system which causes tumors to form on the nerves anywhere in the body at any time. NF is one of the most common genetic disorders affecting one in every 3,000 to 4,000 births.
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For more information on Neurofibromatosis, visit:

http://www.nfon.ca/
http://www.nfinc.org/

The Pyramid of Kukalcan was build by the Mayans almost 2000 years ago. It is build in perfect symmetry with the cosmos. The Mayans studied and understood the sky with greater accuracy than their contemporaries in Europe. The building of the Temple is so exact, that at the Spring and Fall Equinox, an illusion appears (cast by light and shadow). Combined with the effigy of a snakes head at the bottom of the great staircases, it gives the appearance of a serpent falling from the sky and slithering down the staircase. There are 91 steps to the top.

Underwater Photography by Bob Goulais.

Watch out below. Bob swinging into the Mayan caverns.

LONDON, ON – Boozhoo… greetings everyone. I apologize for not posting anything new on my Blog in over a month! I’ve been on vacation. Spending time with my Princess, Katherine Faith.

We’ve been having a blast, at the same time I’m also needing the rest to recover from a pretty serious abdominal infection. I spent three nights in the hospital at the end of July. Was on intravenous anti-biotics for the entire time and had to have an abscess removed. It was potentially very serious if I had complications, being diabetic, and all. However, my blood sugars are well under control. Eating well and getting some exercise.

Yesterday, we returned from a week in Cancun and the Mayan Riviera of Mexico. It was great for recuperation. The salt water is actually good for my wound/incision and there was a lot of time for rest, sleep and good food.

We spent some time at Xel-Ha, one of the largest open-water aquariums in the world. We all enjoyed a full day of snorkeling the Mayan Reef and the caves within the park.

We also got to spend a day at Chichen Itza, site of 1000 year old Mayan ruins and the great Temple of Kukaclan. This pyramid and amazing Mayan city was awe-inspiring and spectacular.

I’ve missed quite a bit of the current events and haven’t been accessible to my e-mail, cell phone or even television news.

- OPP Commissioner Gwen Boniface is retiring from the OPP and moving on to a post in Ireland. Best of luck Gwen.

- Former UOI President and Ontario Regional Chief and Elder Fred Plain passed away.  Fred was a great leader, orator and a fellow Midewiwin from the Three Fires Lodge. We will miss you Fred. My sympathies to Mike and the rest of the Plain Family.

- Chief Marianna Couchie was elected to lead my community of Nipissing First Nation on July 9th, 2006. My good friend Aandozed, Perry McLeod-Shabogesic was elected to Council, along with Meriza George (Deputy Chief), June Commanda, Rick Stevens, Mike Restoule, Doug Chevrier, and Darryl McLeod. Congratulations everyone.

- Finally, my Guestbook was been disabled (thanks Ray and Chuck). There has been a lot of spam posted by spambots and it’s become a royal pain. I’ll come up with a better system to get away from the spammers.