We Listened to the Story of the Mishkodeh
In 2015, Curve Lake First Nation scholar and Elder Doug Williams (Gidigaa Migizi) shared the story of how land in the heart of Bobcaygeon on the shallow rapids between Pigeon Lake and Sturgeon Lake was the site of a mishkodeh. The history of mishkodehs (meadows, according to Doug) date far back in time when the Indigenous peoples created clearings through controlled burning techniques to cultivate trees and medicinal plants and to have spaces for their communities to gather.
The Country Mourned Together
On May 27, 2021, the remains of 215 Indigenous children were detected, children who had been buried on the grounds of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School in B.C. The Truth and Reconciliation Community—Bobcaygeon decided to commemorate the lives of these children (and those who continue to be discovered – and those not yet found) with the “215+ Children Taken” Art Installation which is currently found in Bobcaygeon along the stone wall surrounding the Boyd Museum.
A Spark was Ignited
Inspired by the conversations with Doug, relationships we are building with First Peoples from Curve Lake First Nation and other local communities, the 215+ orange stones, and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 calls to action, the Mishkodeh Centre for Indigenous Knowledge was born. Our dream is to help educate through connections between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people, outside, on the land.
The Path to Success
Creating events such as “Strawberries and the Mishkodeh”, “Once in a Blue Moon” and more, will allow the opportunity for us all to learn together. Ultimately, we would love to have a piece of land that is dedicated to this healing. Our fundraising initiatives will help us be able to create and host these events and purchase land. The Mishkodeh Centre for Indigenous Knowledge Inc. incorporated in September of 2021 and we gained our Charitable Status in May of 2023. We are working with the Community Foundation of Kawartha Lakes towards our fundraising goals. We have been in conversation with Chief and Council of Curve Lake First Nation and the Mayor and Council of the City of Kawartha Lakes since June 2021 allowing the vision to continue to evolve with their input and support. NOW IS THE TIME TO WORK TOGETHER. Join us on a path of connecting, learning, and healing.
Join us on Friday, August 25th in the Murphy Barn at Settlers Village for Once in a Blue Moon for an evening of fun, feasting, music, and silent auction to support the Mishkodeh Centre for Indigenous Knowledge.
The Details
With August’s rare two full moons, it’s a chance to celebrate together. An appetizing meal will be created for us by Indigenous Chef Thomas Olszewski. Thomas is a chef, a gardener, and owner of Grandfather’s Kitchen and Catering located at Curve Lake First Nation where his goal is to feed the Anishinaabe community the best food possible. He uses his organic/traditional garden in Curve Lake to grow a lot of the food for his catering business. He is Anishinaabe from the Chippewas of Rama First Nation and lives at Curve Lake First Nation. The Dave Mowat Trio will fill the Murphy Barn with their expressive soulful blues music after dinner. Dave Mowat is a former Chief of Alderville First Nation. He cut his teeth in Winnipeg during the eighties, experiencing the amazing scene and sharing the stage with some of the greats. The Dave Mowat Trio do country, Delta, and Chicago blues in the old-fashioned way in an attempt to honor those legendary blues musicians that came before them. For Dave, Terry, and Clayton, making this music together is truly a labor of love and respect for the history of the artform. To round out the evening, you can browse and bid on an interesting collection of beautiful Silent Auction items.