PORT MAITLAND – A group of Onkwehon:weh and settler allies from the Two Row on the Grand canoe paddle met in Port Maitland, Ont. on the weekend to say their goodbyes and complete the paddle with a closing ceremony.
“It was the best day,” said Ellie Joseph, who is part of the event’s steering committee. “The creator watched out for us.”
During the closing ceremonies, everyone at the event was invited to partake in helping plant a white pine tree near the esplanade at Port Maitland, everyone was invited to take some tobacco to place by the tree’s roots and surround the hole with mulch. The tree is very important to the Haudenosaunee.
“These roots of peace have an incredible reach,” said Rick Hill, from the Indigenous Knowledge Centre at Six Nations Polytechnic as he told the story of the symbolism behind the white pine to the group.
“We’re going to live in perpetual harmony with each other, provided we treat each other as if we’re members of one family. That’s how you make peace.” said Rick. “And we’re going to resolve things using our good mind rather than violence. And we’re going to share and we’re going to respect one another.”
The Two Row on the Grand canoe paddle is a symbolic renewal of the Two Row Wampum — raising awareness of the original peace-treaty between First Nation and settler communities made more than 400 years ago. The paddle began on July 1 in Paris, Ont. and finished up in Port Maitland on July 9 where supporters, paddlers and Six Nations Elected Chief Ava Hill met to close the event with a time of fellowship, storytelling and eating fresh corn soup with scone. Participants were able to paddle for the entire length of the event or could join up for a day or two at a time.
“I made a point to come to these closing ceremonies today and would have been upset if I missed it,” said Ava. “Seeing everyone here, the paddlers and supporters, is very encouraging and I wouldn’t have missed it for anything.”
After a few more speeches and the Thanksgiving Address spoken in Cayuga by Leroy “Jock” Hill, two young girls performed a water song. Then Joseph said a few final words to the group.
“This [paddle] has been an amazing experience and I thank you all for being a part of making it a success,” said Joseph, holding back tears. “You are all family to me and I look forward to meeting you all again.”
Future paddles are in the works and Joseph said that maybe the group would consider organizing paddles on different rivers in the area, but that the Two Row on the Grand canoe paddle is not meant to be an annual event and that the idea is to simply bring together like-minded Onkwehon:weh and settler allies to re-polish the tarnished chain of friendship.
