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Six Nations Of The Grand River Reserve: Showplace Of The First Peoples In CanadaBy Habeeb SalloumEmily Pauline Johnson! Who has not heard of this famous poetess, writer and actress? In her prime of life, when other women were raising a family, she travelled across Canada at the beginning of the 20th century to give recitals of her poetry or to take part in comedy routines and plays. She was the first Indigenous Peoples’ poet to have her works published in Canada.
This Reserve, with a population of some 20,000 - less than half living on the reserve - is one of the largest and most politically active communities in Canada and a showplace of the Indigenous Peoples’ place in Canadian society. The historic sites and activities held on the reserve such the ‘Grand River Pow Wow’ and the ‘Six Nations Pageant’, are a showplace of Canadian history. The traditional dancing, drumming and singing, as well as the offerings of native foods and crafts give the Reserve tourist-drawing power and keep alive the Indigenous Peoples’ role in the history of this country. The Six Nations was originally made up of five powerful tribes: the Cayuga, Mohawk,
Standing high on the ladder of attractions is the annual ‘Pow Wow’ with its traditional drumming and singing, usually held on the last weekend of July. The ‘Pow Wow’ gets underway with the Grand Entry Ceremonies, followed by the Grand Entry Parade of dancers with their eye-catching traditional costumes. From buckskin fringe and feathers to the sounds of beads, bells and rattles, the scene is splendid. Colourful dance competitions, ancestral singing and beating drums are at the core of this celebration. However, when visitors tire of drums and stamping feet, there is the arts and crafts exposition. First Nations’ beadwork, ceramics, leatherwork, Native art, pottery, sewing and much more are exhibited - most of it for sale. After the traveller is sated with arts and craft, the food stalls are a real treat. The exotic choices are many. Beef jerky, buffalo and venison burgers, wild rice and three sisters’ soup, made from corn, beans and squash, are just some of the traditional Native foods one can enjoy. The Pow Wow gives many people, who wouldn’t otherwise get a chance, a taste of Native culture, entertainment, food and a glimpse into the Indigenous Peoples’ traditions. For historic buffs, besides all these events, the Reserve has much more to offer. There are two national historic sites and the first historically accurate re-created Iroquoian village.
However, one cannot get a feel for the Reserve and its people unless a tour is made of, besides the two historic sites, the other main sites: the ‘Band Council House’ and the ‘Woodland Cultural Centre’, where one can experience First Nations’ history and heritage, and enjoy traditional dances, costumes and food at the Iroquois Dinner Dance Show.
The Village also offers half-day and multi-day tour packages. During these tours, one can sleep in a longhouse, then wake to an exciting sunrise ceremony. Subsequently, one can try traditional Indian foods, tan deer hides, weave corn-husk dolls, listen to Native storytelling, take part in Indian games or attend traditional dance classes, then, if so inclined, join Native guides on a canoe trip down the Grand River and learn how the Indians hunted and survived in the wilds. During a Press Trip to Mexico, I discussed ‘Kanata’ with a member of our group who I knew had travelled several times to the Six Nations of the Grand River Reserve. He summed up his view of Iroquois Village by saying, “It’s the best place in Canada to learn the culture of the Indigenous Peoples before the white man came.” For More Information, Contact: For the Kanata Iroquoian Village & Education Centre |
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One of the country’s most popular and successful
authors, Pauline (1861-1913), who's Native name is Tekahionwake,
was one of the few female writers, in her time, who could make a living
from what she wrote. The daughter of a Mohawk Native father and an
English mother, she was proud of her Native heritage and of her people
at Six Nations of the Grand River Reserve. In one of her many
works, she wrote: “My aim, my joy, my pride is to sing the glories of my
own people.”
Located southeast of Brantford, and larger than the
city itself, is Ohsweken, the Six Nations of the Grand River. In this
excellent place to visit at any time of the year, events abound. The Annual
‘Six Nations Native Pageant’, ‘Snow-snake Tournament’, ‘Art Fair’, ‘Summer
Theatre Program’, ‘Bake Sale’, ‘Christmas Craft Show’, ‘Craft Bazaar’ and,
of course, the ‘Pow Wow’, the best of all the activities, are some of the
events that draw, to the Reserve, thousands of visitors.
The 1785 built St. Paul’s, ‘Her Majesty’s Royal Chapel
of the Mohawks’, erected during the reign of King George III, is the only
royal chapel outside of Britain and is the oldest Protestant church in
Ontario. I was discussing this church with one of my colleagues in Toronto,
when he smilingly said: “They started converting the Indians a long time
ago. Do you think that it has made life any better for these original
inhabitants of this country from that time when they worshiped the gifts of
nature?” “Who knows? He could be right!” I thought to myself.
Rarely does a knowledgeable tourist not want to visit
the birthplace of Pauline Johnson, ‘Chiefswood’, the second oldest historic
site at the Six Nations Reserve. A two-storey white mansion, it overlooks
the Grand River and is surrounded by parkland. Known as the ‘Indian
mansion’, it is today the only still in existence pre-confederation Indian
manor.
However, the best of all is ‘Kanata’, an authentic
handmade replica of a 17th Century Iroquois Village, based on a 17th-century
Iroquois hunting and fishing ground. It is an interactive village with
numerous kinds of activities - a place where visitors can discover the world
of Canada's aboriginal First Nations people before contact with the
Europeans. Dressed in 16th century costumes, craftsmen make pottery and
weave baskets, while others attend historic gardens and, as a climax,
visitors are invited to take part in the activities. Without doubt,
travellers who come the nine-hectare Kanata Village, learn much about the
Indigenous Peoples.