Living in the Bay again, after all of one year living with a man who is keen on Native Culture , but, pushes the issues and preaches a little too much for me. After all he is a White-Indian well, better yet said a Wanna-be I guess you would say. Well, it seems to me he would like to be Grey Owl the 2nd but, there was only 1 Grey Owl , John and will never be another like him. You think or try to make me or others believe you know alot but,,,anyhow. Think again.
I tried living with this White Indian since the month of November in 2006. Thought that this man was a person who I would have seemed to gotten along with and was able to be happy with but, after getting to know this Man (John) He was a very different Man he was. He was an unusual type of person , someone probably just about any woman would fall for but, once getting to know the real John he was sure strange to live with I felt anyhow.
But, not everyone knows everything they want to know about the real person they are until sometimes it is too late. Oh well, I tried my darndest and its unfortunate it just did not work out living together.
Never will I do this again , meet a man on the net. I will stay single for all that matters now , till later on down the road I find my True Love, One and Only Love .
I haven't done any Blogging for such a long time but, will try again to now get Blogging again now that I have peace of mind and feel at ease being myself again. I am not blaming anyone mind you but, myself for jumping the gun to fast maybe and moving with someone I really didn't know very well. Silly me...lol....Kicking myself in the ass now. Oh well, they say Life goes on and You Learn as you go ehh. Well, I have learnt. As my friends would say Hopefully Dort you did learn. Smarten Up ehh..
Anyhow will after all gone by but, trying to make someone happy and giving all my Love to one I thought I could spend my Life with is now done after One whole year. For now I leave this at that and will hopefully be Blogging more than I have been.
Thanks for Taking the time to read this and see you all soon....
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Monday, April 9, 2007
Surfing the Net on Ojibway Culture
As I sit here at 7 am with the sun rising (Easter Morning,, the morning of the rising Christ) I greet the morning and the day is so very beautiful. Noone on the streets. but the morning greets everyone the same.
But I am in front of the computer. Giving back.. Yes it is important to give back. (we receive and should appreciate it to the point of giving back)
So we will Surf on Ojibway culture. First... are there Museum on Ojibway
culture. The net shows (first) Museum on Ojibway culture at 500-566 N. State street, St. Ignace, MI (Michigan) To know what this museum offers surf with me to Hunts' Guide to Michigan's Upper pensinsula. or visit the museum's webpage ( Image of Ojibway from webpage of Museum on Ojibwa Culture)
The Ojibway spreads across the Canadian landscape from Lake Ontario, north to James bay height in Ontario an dwest into Alberta and south into S. Dakota along the Lake Michigan. Here the Southwestern Ojibwa spreads west and has similar languages with the Blackfoot. So it is not suprising that Michigan should have a Museum on Ojibwa Culture. (the sun is so bright as I write this .. as if saying... "off the computer and go for a walk to greet the day")
Web surfing offers a choice of bed and breakfast locations. near the museum. And then there is the support..
"This summer, the Museum of Ojibwa Culture in downtown St. Ignace will come to life with cultural programs and workshops exploring drumming and dancing, story telling, traditional medicine and how to make Native drums, flutes, regalia and dreamcatchers." from the The Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians Official Web Site which explains how St. Ignace Museum of Ojibwa Culture receives $25,000 tribal grant from the Chippewa.
And what is the internet if not to research and find out what you want to know... Do you want to learn to speak Ojibwa..
Boozhoo for Greetings or Aanii for Hello. ant then there is Aniish na? for How are you?
Of course we all know Migwetch (Thank you or Gi zah gin( I love you) or how do you greet some at the door. "Beindigain" for Come in ... These and many more from NativeTech,.org which is short for " Native American Technology" which offers links on Culture Arts History Language Books, News & Authors Anishinaabe People All of interest to the reader seeking information on the Ojibway culture. And each of us will find something interesting on surfing the web for ojibway culture.. As an example I find.
"Since European contact many spellings of "Ojibway" have occurred. Depending on how it sounded to the ears of French and English speaking people, it has been written as "Otchipwe," "Ojibewa," "Ojibwe," "Chippeway," or "Chippewa." Because I am from Canada, near Thunder Bay, I will use the "Ojibway" spelling which is common in that area."
I was of interestin this because my companion and I come from north of Thunder Bay... Well enough...time to go to bed... (I work nights).So dear friend, enjoy all the links... have fun surfing. and enjoy Ekandasowin (the Knowledge)
But I am in front of the computer. Giving back.. Yes it is important to give back. (we receive and should appreciate it to the point of giving back)
So we will Surf on Ojibway culture. First... are there Museum on Ojibway
culture. The net shows (first) Museum on Ojibway culture at 500-566 N. State street, St. Ignace, MI (Michigan) To know what this museum offers surf with me to Hunts' Guide to Michigan's Upper pensinsula. or visit the museum's webpage ( Image of Ojibway from webpage of Museum on Ojibwa Culture)The Ojibway spreads across the Canadian landscape from Lake Ontario, north to James bay height in Ontario an dwest into Alberta and south into S. Dakota along the Lake Michigan. Here the Southwestern Ojibwa spreads west and has similar languages with the Blackfoot. So it is not suprising that Michigan should have a Museum on Ojibwa Culture. (the sun is so bright as I write this .. as if saying... "off the computer and go for a walk to greet the day")
Web surfing offers a choice of bed and breakfast locations. near the museum. And then there is the support..
"This summer, the Museum of Ojibwa Culture in downtown St. Ignace will come to life with cultural programs and workshops exploring drumming and dancing, story telling, traditional medicine and how to make Native drums, flutes, regalia and dreamcatchers." from the The Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians Official Web Site which explains how St. Ignace Museum of Ojibwa Culture receives $25,000 tribal grant from the Chippewa.
And what is the internet if not to research and find out what you want to know... Do you want to learn to speak Ojibwa..
Boozhoo for Greetings or Aanii for Hello. ant then there is Aniish na? for How are you?
Of course we all know Migwetch (Thank you or Gi zah gin( I love you) or how do you greet some at the door. "Beindigain" for Come in ... These and many more from NativeTech,.org which is short for " Native American Technology" which offers links on Culture Arts History Language Books, News & Authors Anishinaabe People All of interest to the reader seeking information on the Ojibway culture. And each of us will find something interesting on surfing the web for ojibway culture.. As an example I find.
"Since European contact many spellings of "Ojibway" have occurred. Depending on how it sounded to the ears of French and English speaking people, it has been written as "Otchipwe," "Ojibewa," "Ojibwe," "Chippeway," or "Chippewa." Because I am from Canada, near Thunder Bay, I will use the "Ojibway" spelling which is common in that area."
I was of interestin this because my companion and I come from north of Thunder Bay... Well enough...time to go to bed... (I work nights).So dear friend, enjoy all the links... have fun surfing. and enjoy Ekandasowin (the Knowledge)
Sunday, April 8, 2007
a GIFT of Heritage (e-bay)
Writing this Blog for Dorty, and attempting to guide her toward her heritage; I have only my own beliefs and force of the Almighty. The name of "Kitche Manitou" (or Great Spirit) is "The Almighty" to Dorty and natives whom attempt to be "Good" or "Human Being".
(photo of 1990 publication..not 1997 plain gray cover publication)
'Boozhoo niijii’ (Aanishinabowiin - it means ‘greetings, my friend.’)
Well, looking on e-bay for publications by Basil Johnston, I found for a few dollars Ojibway Heritage, the first publication which Johnston wrote. Basil Johnston, a Northern Ojibway, is one of the major writers of Native historial facts.
"I would like to state that I have not received any benifit from any patron, fund, foundation or council in the prepartion and writing of this book" (written by M.Johnston in his preface) Meaning this was his first writing and a heartfelt effort based on his love of his Heritage. Now it sits in front of me, thanks to Fred Abrey on Arvada, Colorado. Imagine, going to the southern USA to get a book written by a Canadian Ojibway.
After the great flood which covered the earth, The Women spirit, whom had two new children but with out her man was invited to come live on earth by the water creatures.(photo by native)
"The water creatures observed what was happening in the heavens, sensed the weariness of the spirit women and pitied her. In their compassion, they sought ways to provide relief for her. Eventually, they persuaded a giant turtle to rise to the surface of the water and offer his back as a baven. When the great turtle agreed, the water beings invited the sky-women to come down."
"The sky-women accepted the invitation, left her abode in the skies, and came down to rest on the back of the great turtle. When sky-women had settled on the turtle, shed the water animals to give her some soil from the botton of the sea."
"Gladly, all the animals tried to serve the spirit women. The beaver was one fo the first to plunge into the depths. He soon surfaced, out of breath and without the precious soil. The fisher tried, but he too failed. The marten went down , came up empty handed, reporting that the water was too deep. The loon tried. Although he remained out of sight for a long time, he too emerged, grasping for air. He said that it was too dark. all tired to fulfil the spirit womens request. All failed. All were ashamed."
Finally, the least of the water creatures, the ruskrat, volunteered to drive. At his announcement, the other creatures laughed in scorn, because they doubted this little creature's strenght and endurance. Had not they, who were strong and able, been unable to grasp soil from the bottom of the sea? How could he, a muskrat, the most humble amoung them succeed when they could not?"
"Neverthe less, the little muiskrat determined to dive. Undaunted he disappeared into the waves. the onlookers smiled. They waited for the muskrat to emerge as empty handed as they had done. Time passed. Smiles turned into worried frowns. The small hope that each had nurtured for the success of the muskrat turned into despair. When the waiting creatures had given up, the muskrat floated to the surface more dead than alive, but he clutched in his paws a small morsel of soil."
"When the great had failed, the small succeeded" (This is similar to the Christian saying of "The last will be first and the first will be last" when being accepted in to Heaven.)
And so the earth was made by the Spirit Women.
"While the muskrat was tended and restored to health, the spirit women painted the rim of the turtle's back with the small amount of soil that had been brought to her. She breathed unto it and into it the breath of life. Immediately the soil grew and covered the turtle's back, and formed an island. The turtle had given his service, which was no longer required and he swam away. The island formed in this way was called Mishee Mackinakoug, the place of the great turtle's back, now known as Michilimackinac."
(photo of 1990 publication..not 1997 plain gray cover publication)
'Boozhoo niijii’ (Aanishinabowiin - it means ‘greetings, my friend.’)
Well, looking on e-bay for publications by Basil Johnston, I found for a few dollars Ojibway Heritage, the first publication which Johnston wrote. Basil Johnston, a Northern Ojibway, is one of the major writers of Native historial facts.
"I would like to state that I have not received any benifit from any patron, fund, foundation or council in the prepartion and writing of this book" (written by M.Johnston in his preface) Meaning this was his first writing and a heartfelt effort based on his love of his Heritage. Now it sits in front of me, thanks to Fred Abrey on Arvada, Colorado. Imagine, going to the southern USA to get a book written by a Canadian Ojibway.
After the great flood which covered the earth, The Women spirit, whom had two new children but with out her man was invited to come live on earth by the water creatures.(photo by native)
"The water creatures observed what was happening in the heavens, sensed the weariness of the spirit women and pitied her. In their compassion, they sought ways to provide relief for her. Eventually, they persuaded a giant turtle to rise to the surface of the water and offer his back as a baven. When the great turtle agreed, the water beings invited the sky-women to come down."
"The sky-women accepted the invitation, left her abode in the skies, and came down to rest on the back of the great turtle. When sky-women had settled on the turtle, shed the water animals to give her some soil from the botton of the sea."
"Gladly, all the animals tried to serve the spirit women. The beaver was one fo the first to plunge into the depths. He soon surfaced, out of breath and without the precious soil. The fisher tried, but he too failed. The marten went down , came up empty handed, reporting that the water was too deep. The loon tried. Although he remained out of sight for a long time, he too emerged, grasping for air. He said that it was too dark. all tired to fulfil the spirit womens request. All failed. All were ashamed."
Finally, the least of the water creatures, the ruskrat, volunteered to drive. At his announcement, the other creatures laughed in scorn, because they doubted this little creature's strenght and endurance. Had not they, who were strong and able, been unable to grasp soil from the bottom of the sea? How could he, a muskrat, the most humble amoung them succeed when they could not?"
"Neverthe less, the little muiskrat determined to dive. Undaunted he disappeared into the waves. the onlookers smiled. They waited for the muskrat to emerge as empty handed as they had done. Time passed. Smiles turned into worried frowns. The small hope that each had nurtured for the success of the muskrat turned into despair. When the waiting creatures had given up, the muskrat floated to the surface more dead than alive, but he clutched in his paws a small morsel of soil."
"When the great had failed, the small succeeded" (This is similar to the Christian saying of "The last will be first and the first will be last" when being accepted in to Heaven.)
And so the earth was made by the Spirit Women.
"While the muskrat was tended and restored to health, the spirit women painted the rim of the turtle's back with the small amount of soil that had been brought to her. She breathed unto it and into it the breath of life. Immediately the soil grew and covered the turtle's back, and formed an island. The turtle had given his service, which was no longer required and he swam away. The island formed in this way was called Mishee Mackinakoug, the place of the great turtle's back, now known as Michilimackinac."
Sunday, April 1, 2007
Hey.... I won the 6/49
Well, I did not win the 30 Million but anything is good to win. Now, how about $1000. That is a good win. 
Now what will we, Dorty and I do, with so much money. Well, I can think of a lot of things.
First, I am tired of Dorty using her phone Camera to take Ditigal Photos
and need to send them by web to Bell. who charges an Arm and a Leg for the sending.. Often in the middle of sending the communication is cancelled and the photos are not send. Yes a Digital Camera is on the Purchase list. Yes there is so much I want to buy. Even be nice to repair my car. Need a whole new exhaust system. (Only $600) still leaves a little.
Now what will we, Dorty and I do, with so much money. Well, I can think of a lot of things.
First, I am tired of Dorty using her phone Camera to take Ditigal Photos
and need to send them by web to Bell. who charges an Arm and a Leg for the sending.. Often in the middle of sending the communication is cancelled and the photos are not send. Yes a Digital Camera is on the Purchase list. Yes there is so much I want to buy. Even be nice to repair my car. Need a whole new exhaust system. (Only $600) still leaves a little.
Guess, I should say that I almost lost the ticket... Well I did lose the ticket. I came home from taking Dorty to the bus Terminal ,friday morning, and as it was around 7 and the store opens at 8; I decided to wait and get my morning beer. I bought the super 7 and 6/49 ($4 each) because the jackpot was so big. Well, Friday night after petanque and the draw of the Super 7 was done; I looked for the tickets. No where to be found. I looked everywhere. Even in the garbage. (It was dorty who on Wednesday, looked in the garbage for the 6/49 because as she said "I just cleaned the table top and throw everything into the garbage". 
Any way, I gave up after trying all my pockets (pants, jackets and shirts). So when I was puting on my jacket (which I stop wearing because it is a winter coat) I empty the pocket and found the tickets. I put them on the Computer to check when I got home after work.
Any way, I gave up after trying all my pockets (pants, jackets and shirts). So when I was puting on my jacket (which I stop wearing because it is a winter coat) I empty the pocket and found the tickets. I put them on the Computer to check when I got home after work.
Oh Dorty, hun... I will be coming up to North Bay on the 13th (friday) and will use the 1000$ to rent a car. Also when we are there, I would like to get a room at the Voyager on Friday night. Why... so we can have like a honeymoon suite after our dancing ... Ha ha.. Anyway. enough for this blog. Oh by the way,,, I found a nice site on the web which said "I love you" so click the I love you for the site...
Saturday, March 24, 2007
Writing waits until Dishes done.
It is snowing outside, and we, (Dorty 
and I), have just finished biking to the Nature Park. It was such a nice day, only a few minutes ago. I am wanting to write this blog but first, I asked Dorty; "Do you want me to help you with the Dishes?". She replied "Well it will get done faster and we can have supper sooner." So this blog will wait for the Dishes. Hehehe... SO NOW DISHES ARE DONE..
This blog is written for Melissa who said she reads everything and like to hear about all the nothings. As I look through the computer for a photo for this blog and find this one of Mellisa, I am told she will say ""FIHTP, Why did you use that picture. Hehehe (the obijway laugh).
Well, as we did the dishes; I turned off the light over the sink so we could look out the kitchen window at the snow in the tree. A native love of nature. As we looked, a Seagull flew by, and I said "I bet that is the big Sh.. on my car..Those damm birds.. I think I am going to buy a BBgun and sit on the pouch and keep them off the hydro line above my car. Well, this is the story that Dorty told me about her life on Bear Island.
"My dad, use to build Bird feeders and put out Seeds for the birds. He hated those big black birds, like crows and black birds. He would sit out there, near the door and watch for them with his Slingshot. To shoot and scare off the big birds... He loved the Chickadees. Even when we moved from the Island to Temagami he would use his BBgun and protect the feeder for the small birds. He would even open the Bedroom window and yell at the big birds or shoot at them." Yes even the natives on the reserve can have a perference of who feeds in his bird feeder.
"There is Don Cherry" dorty saids as the Toronto and Buffalo game is starting. "Babe are you coming to watch this with me?" So this is all the nothings for now... hehehe... But than again I did get the dishes done and I did get that good picture of Melissa posted.. Apaenimohaung (ojibway for "From our hearts" I believe)
and I), have just finished biking to the Nature Park. It was such a nice day, only a few minutes ago. I am wanting to write this blog but first, I asked Dorty; "Do you want me to help you with the Dishes?". She replied "Well it will get done faster and we can have supper sooner." So this blog will wait for the Dishes. Hehehe... SO NOW DISHES ARE DONE..
This blog is written for Melissa who said she reads everything and like to hear about all the nothings. As I look through the computer for a photo for this blog and find this one of Mellisa, I am told she will say ""FIHTP, Why did you use that picture. Hehehe (the obijway laugh).
Well, as we did the dishes; I turned off the light over the sink so we could look out the kitchen window at the snow in the tree. A native love of nature. As we looked, a Seagull flew by, and I said "I bet that is the big Sh.. on my car..Those damm birds.. I think I am going to buy a BBgun and sit on the pouch and keep them off the hydro line above my car. Well, this is the story that Dorty told me about her life on Bear Island.
"My dad, use to build Bird feeders and put out Seeds for the birds. He hated those big black birds, like crows and black birds. He would sit out there, near the door and watch for them with his Slingshot. To shoot and scare off the big birds... He loved the Chickadees. Even when we moved from the Island to Temagami he would use his BBgun and protect the feeder for the small birds. He would even open the Bedroom window and yell at the big birds or shoot at them." Yes even the natives on the reserve can have a perference of who feeds in his bird feeder.
"There is Don Cherry" dorty saids as the Toronto and Buffalo game is starting. "Babe are you coming to watch this with me?" So this is all the nothings for now... hehehe... But than again I did get the dishes done and I did get that good picture of Melissa posted.. Apaenimohaung (ojibway for "From our hearts" I believe)
Friday, March 23, 2007
Mi- Gweetch Kokomis
Well Dorty is off to North Bay on Friday. Going to help with the first grandchild. so Kokomis finally. (Kokomis is grandmother or old-women in ojibway)
The oldest son of Dorty, Dave always said to his grandmother.. "kua-qua Kokomis". (Hi Grandma) As we grow in the language of Dorty we learn more and more words.
At work, the other night, I was saying to Dorty, as she worked on the other machine; "Qua-qua Kokomis" and she was answering'"qua-qua Shumis" (ojibway for 'Old Man'). with that cute ojibway smile of hers. Hehehe... Photo is the grandfather and grandmother of the APTN children's program "Tipi Tales".
The oldest son of Dorty, Dave always said to his grandmother.. "kua-qua Kokomis". (Hi Grandma) As we grow in the language of Dorty we learn more and more words.At work, the other night, I was saying to Dorty, as she worked on the other machine; "Qua-qua Kokomis" and she was answering'"qua-qua Shumis" (ojibway for 'Old Man'). with that cute ojibway smile of hers. Hehehe... Photo is the grandfather and grandmother of the APTN children's program "Tipi Tales".
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Life Living on an Island
Well, in this Blog I will be telling everyone about my Childhood living on the Island near Temagami, Ont. (Bear Island) that is , which is up in the North country when talking up North I mean about 3 1/2 hrs North of the City of Toronto, Ont.
Yes 3 1/2 hrs. of driving up North is the small town of Temagami , Ont. a town so small that if you blink your eyes going through it you will miss it.
That at least is what everyone used to joke about. I would have to say it is a small town of 1,200 population wise. It was a mining town at one time there was a big mine there called Sherman Mine. At that time of the Mine being in Temagami I guess the town was booming then.
But, to get to the access road to go to Bear Island which is on Lake Temagami you have to go about 10 miles south of the Town of Temagami, Ont. and travel up this dirt road to the Landing where all the boats land, this road is called the Mine Access Road, which is a winding road for at least 15 kilometers or more but, for part of that road it is up and down like a roller coaster for a bit at the beginning like coming from the highway I mean
That trip driving down the Mine Road takes all but, at least 20 minutes to get to the Landing then from there you get in a boat and travel across the lake to get to Bear Island which again , the boat ride is about 15 minutes across part of Beautiful Lake Temagami.
I remember coming and Living on the Island, called Bear Island since about Grade 3 , back then living there on the Reserve was like living in the Old days with no running water , no inside washrooms , which meant you had only outhouses then.
That to me was the memory of living on the Island I still have in mind the most of.
Cause, getting up through the night at like 3 am and having to go outside to the Outhouse to go to the Washroom was to me , just not a pleasant memory especially when it was Winter and 35 below zero outdoors.
And you gotta remember the outhouse was not just outside the door we had to walk on a little bit of a path to get there, during Winter was not too bad not too scary I mean. But, during the summer months getting up at that time in the Morning and going to the Outhouse was always to me a little scary as there used to be alot of Bears on the Island , there was always a fear of seeing one on your way to the Toilet.
Another clear memory of Living on the Island is the fact we had no running water and carrying water up the big hill we had in front of our house to get to the Lake was pretty steep I guess in the summer months it was not bad carrying water in a couple of pails up the hill was not too bad but, it was the Winter Months that it was hard because, well first off in the Winter months we had to begin by chopping the hole first in the ice to get it. Then well, at nights you would put a cover on the hole so that it would not freeze up too much overnight to keep the hole open you would put a board over top the hole , but of course if it got very cold at nights then the next morning when you go to get the water again you would usually have to chop the ice away from the hole first , then carry a couple of pails of water up that steep hill to the house.
Once in the house then we had wood stoves back then also so put a pot of water on the wood stove to heat up enough to fill the old bath tub so we could then have a bath.
Yes wood stoves was another memory , there were many days and mornings that I remember we were asked to go outside and split some wood and get a good fire going in that stove to heat the house up on those cold Winter mornings. But, yes all of those good memories of my childhood was part of being an Ojibway Indian. Those memories taught us how we had to work for what we wanted , to me all of those things we had to do growing up there on the Island was to me just good experiences in Life.
Those experiences and lessons My Father, and Mother taught us are now good memories those things teach me to now appreciate everything that Witcha Manitou puts in front of me today.
That to me was just a natural way of living.
Now today you go up on the Island on Lake Temagami and now you will see the difference in living back then to now. On Bear Island now today they have roads all over the Island , It is not like that Island is that huge or anything the size of the Island is 3 square miles. Population wise is probably about 1,000 if that.
They also now today have a Septic system on the Island now and Fire Hydrants also along side of the roads here and there. People on the Island for Transportation they use Four Wheelers to get from Point A to Point B.
Well, that for me is a good start to letting people know of my life growing up the Reserve to which I belong to, good ol' Bear Island on Lake Temagami - Mi- Gweetch Thank-You Merci ... hehehe The little Ojibway laugh at the end.. As my Boyfriend would say. Till later Bye.
Yes 3 1/2 hrs. of driving up North is the small town of Temagami , Ont. a town so small that if you blink your eyes going through it you will miss it.
That at least is what everyone used to joke about. I would have to say it is a small town of 1,200 population wise. It was a mining town at one time there was a big mine there called Sherman Mine. At that time of the Mine being in Temagami I guess the town was booming then.But, to get to the access road to go to Bear Island which is on Lake Temagami you have to go about 10 miles south of the Town of Temagami, Ont. and travel up this dirt road to the Landing where all the boats land, this road is called the Mine Access Road, which is a winding road for at least 15 kilometers or more but, for part of that road it is up and down like a roller coaster for a bit at the beginning like coming from the highway I mean
That trip driving down the Mine Road takes all but, at least 20 minutes to get to the Landing then from there you get in a boat and travel across the lake to get to Bear Island which again , the boat ride is about 15 minutes across part of Beautiful Lake Temagami.
I remember coming and Living on the Island, called Bear Island since about Grade 3 , back then living there on the Reserve was like living in the Old days with no running water , no inside washrooms , which meant you had only outhouses then.
That to me was the memory of living on the Island I still have in mind the most of.Cause, getting up through the night at like 3 am and having to go outside to the Outhouse to go to the Washroom was to me , just not a pleasant memory especially when it was Winter and 35 below zero outdoors.
And you gotta remember the outhouse was not just outside the door we had to walk on a little bit of a path to get there, during Winter was not too bad not too scary I mean. But, during the summer months getting up at that time in the Morning and going to the Outhouse was always to me a little scary as there used to be alot of Bears on the Island , there was always a fear of seeing one on your way to the Toilet.
Another clear memory of Living on the Island is the fact we had no running water and carrying water up the big hill we had in front of our house to get to the Lake was pretty steep I guess in the summer months it was not bad carrying water in a couple of pails up the hill was not too bad but, it was the Winter Months that it was hard because, well first off in the Winter months we had to begin by chopping the hole first in the ice to get it. Then well, at nights you would put a cover on the hole so that it would not freeze up too much overnight to keep the hole open you would put a board over top the hole , but of course if it got very cold at nights then the next morning when you go to get the water again you would usually have to chop the ice away from the hole first , then carry a couple of pails of water up that steep hill to the house.
Once in the house then we had wood stoves back then also so put a pot of water on the wood stove to heat up enough to fill the old bath tub so we could then have a bath.
Yes wood stoves was another memory , there were many days and mornings that I remember we were asked to go outside and split some wood and get a good fire going in that stove to heat the house up on those cold Winter mornings. But, yes all of those good memories of my childhood was part of being an Ojibway Indian. Those memories taught us how we had to work for what we wanted , to me all of those things we had to do growing up there on the Island was to me just good experiences in Life.
Those experiences and lessons My Father, and Mother taught us are now good memories those things teach me to now appreciate everything that Witcha Manitou puts in front of me today.
That to me was just a natural way of living.
Now today you go up on the Island on Lake Temagami and now you will see the difference in living back then to now. On Bear Island now today they have roads all over the Island , It is not like that Island is that huge or anything the size of the Island is 3 square miles. Population wise is probably about 1,000 if that.
They also now today have a Septic system on the Island now and Fire Hydrants also along side of the roads here and there. People on the Island for Transportation they use Four Wheelers to get from Point A to Point B.
Well, that for me is a good start to letting people know of my life growing up the Reserve to which I belong to, good ol' Bear Island on Lake Temagami - Mi- Gweetch Thank-You Merci ... hehehe The little Ojibway laugh at the end.. As my Boyfriend would say. Till later Bye.
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