Peggy Revell
After years of hard work and planning, Nigigoonsiminikaaning First Nation is set to celebrate this weekend with the community’s newly-built pow-wow grounds.
“This is designed for our people, for many generations,” Chief Gary Allen said about the new grounds that overlook a sandy beach on Rainy Lake’s Swell Bay.
“It’s for everybody,” he stressed, extending an invitation to everyone to join Nigigoonsiminikaaning this weekend for its annual pow-wow that will celebrate the new grounds.
All of the facilities are new, noted Chief Allen, since there have been no pow-wow grounds for some 30-40 years within the community, which is located on Highway 11 about 40 km east of Fort Frances.
The design of the grounds is a “little bit different,” said band general manager Judy Morrison, pointing to the U-shape of the arbour seating—designed so people can see out over the beach and onto the water.
“We wanted people to get as much as the view as possible,” she said, noting the design also means room for those attending pow-wows to set up lawn chairs.
People also can take in the view from the two observation areas that have been built further back from the water that overlook the site.
Constructed near the community’s roundhouse that was built two years ago, the grounds also include campgrounds, room for vendors, access to the beach, as well as a loop road and access roads being built all the way around the site.
An important part of the set-up design of the grounds was making it accessible for the elders, Chief Allen said, explaining they’ve located elder parking right next to the stadium, vendors, and other facilities.
With the sod for the dancers having been freshly laid down this week, they will be ready to go for this weekend, he said, but will continue to make additions to the grounds—such as laying down more sod in the parking area—afterwards.
“I find it really exciting,” Morrison said of the project, adding they’re slowly looking at what else can be added to the site in the future—from a children’s playground, spray park, docks, and further campsites to possibly even eco-tourism.
And with the building of these grounds, or any projects which the community is working on, Chief Allen encouraged anyone with questions to come see them.
“We like to see people here, come and ask questions,” he said, stressing it’s part of education to build understanding between communities and neighbours.
“Come and see us, we’re very open,” he remarked.
The building of the new grounds has been a “really big community effort,” said Larry George of Fort Frances, who was the general contractor for the project.
The band has committed a lot of resources to the project, Chief Allen explained, with the funds being raised within the community. Local residents have been employed to build the grounds, as well, he added.
“It’s leaving a legacy, a positive legacy, for children,” Chief Allen said about being involved with a project like this. “It really instills pride in the community.”
For those who wish to see the new grounds, Chief Allen said they should come out their sixth annual pow-wow running Aug. 21-23.
Warm-ups are scheduled for the Friday. Then on Saturday, grand entry is scheduled for 1 p.m. and 7 p.m., with a fish fry also that evening from about 5-6 p.m.
On Sunday, the grand entry is scheduled for 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
The community will be welcoming numerous guests for the grand opening, added Chief Allen, including Chief Shining Turtle of Whitefish River First Nation (located on Manitoulin Island), Angus Toulouse, Ontario’s Regional Chief for the Assembly of First Nations, and local MP John Rafferty.
For more information about the new grounds, as well as this weekend’s pow-wow, visit www.nigigoonsiminikaaning.ca
