A performance of Song of Hiawatha this evening is among opening-day activities for the Three Fires Confederacy Gathering at Garden River First Nation.
The photo shown from the play was provided by organizers.
Up to 5,000 Anishinaabe people from different parts of Canada and the United States are expected to attend the week-long gathering.
It continues until Friday.
For more photos from the Song of Hiawatha performance, please click on the image gallery below.
Meanwhile, the Assembly of First Nations has issued the following news release in advance of an address tomorrow by National Chief Phil Fontaine.
************************* Assembly of First Nations national chief to attend historic Three Fires Confederacy Gathering hosted by Anishinabek Nations, August 20-24, 2007 at Garden River First Nation, Ontario
SAULT STE. MARIE, ON (August 20) - Assembly of First Nations National Chief Phil Fontaine will join Anishinabek Chiefs and hundreds of delegates from across Canada and the United States for an opening address at the historic Three Fires Confederacy Gathering, tomorrow, Tuesday, August 21, 2007 at 10:30 a.m.
The gathering is taking place August 20-24, 2007 in Garden River First Nation, Ontario, at Ojibway Park, just off of Highway 17 East.
The Anishinabek is the nation and people known also as the Ojibway, Odawa and Pottawatomi who together form the Three Fires Confederacy.
Historically, the tribes met regularly for social, spiritual, military and political purposes.
The first two days of the gathering will be devoted to sharing the history and the protocol of the Three Fires Confederacy.
Issues such as relationships with governments, border crossing issues, water and Great Lakes management will be discussed.
Highlights:
Tuesday, August 21
9 a.m. - Opening - Welcome
10:30 a.m. - Grand Entry - Eagle Staffs
Welcome address by dignitaries:
- Chief Lyle Sayers, Garden River First Nation
- National Chief Phil Fontaine, Assembly of First Nations
- Grand Council Chief John Beaucage
- Anishinabek Nation Ontario Regional Chief Angus Toulouse
- Chiefs of Ontario Andy Rickard
- Shingwauk Anishinaabe Students Association Jim Dumont
- Easter Doorway Chief
- Three Fires Society Charlie Nelson
- Western Doorway Chief
- Three Fires Society Leona Stevens
- Chief Kwe
- Three Fires Society Grand Chief Edward Benton-Banai
- Three Fires Society
1:30 p.m. - Introduction & history, Three Fires
2 p.m. - Anishinabe history, Anishinabe creation & Turtle Island homeland
4 p.m. - The clan system
5 p.m. - Traditional governance
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
9 a.m. - Concurrent workshops, culture-based education panel, fisheries & harvesting
10:30 a.m. - Anishinabemowin treaties
1:30 p.m. - Concurrent workshops (continued), water heritage preservation
3:30 p.m. - Calling of the Eagle Staffs, history & vision of Eagle Staff Gathering
Introduction of Eagle Staffs, recognition of staff carriers
Thursday, August 23, 2007
9 a.m. - Concurrent workshops (continued), youth
11 a.m. - Final plenary discussion & resolution, discussing the next Three Fires Confederacy Gathering, adopting a declaration/resolution
12 noon - Raising of the Unity Poles ceremony *************************