Two First Nations communities come together for Canoe Paddle event in Killarney

Northern First Nations come together Two First Nations in northern Ontario are coming together for what is being called a historical cultural event.

Two First Nations are coming together for what is being called a historic cultural event.

For the next three days, Wikwemikong Tourism and Six Nations Tourism will rekindle friendships, empower nations and educate visitors through song, dance and, of course, food.

The day kicked off Thursday with a canoe excursion at Killarney Provincial Park along the Chikanishing River to the Iroquois and Anishinaabe battle site at Collins Inlet.

“The historic value in it is our communities,” said Luke Wassegijig, Wikwemikong Tourism manager.

"This is the first time the two nations have paddled together in the same boat on this water to a site that once echoed the battle between our two nations. So today's about unifying.”

Youth, elders and invited guests shared wampum belt teachings, oral history, traditional foods and symbolic gestures of peace and goodwill.

“It's important for our visitors to understand that, yes, we have similarities, but we are different, as well, having different land bases and different teachings and histories,” said Jaquie Jamieson, of Six Nations Tourism.

“There's so much to learn across Canada and even in Ontario, and we all have different stories and it's nice to see the two nations coming together to just show that alliance and show Indigenous tourism why we're here and what we're here to do.”

Cultural exchange

The cultural exchange doesn’t end here though.

“Day 2 will be at the Wiikwemkoong Arts and Music Festival, where our Haundenosaunee friends will share some of their smoke dances and some of their culinary experiences on the main stage at the music festival,” said Wassegijig.

“Then on Saturday in our cultural pavilion, it'll be a little bit more intimate where they'll again share the history of the smoke dances and then they'll also do some corn experiences, some culinary experiences at the pavilion.”

The exchange will continue in Six Nations from Aug. 16-17 where Wikwemikong Tourism will visit the Haundenosaunee Territory.