Strawberries and the Mishkodeh
In the Anishinaabemowin language, ode’miin means “strawberry”.
It is the heart berry.
The Mishkodeh Centre for Indigenous Knowledge invites the community to gather with us on Saturday June 17 at 11 am outside at 50 Canal Street in Bobcaygeon (by the FLO Charging Station) for ‘Strawberries and the Mishkodeh’.
Join us for a welcome by Chief Keith Knott of Curve Lake First Nation, a Strawberry Teaching on the first berry of the season with Anne Taylor: Community Anishinaabemowin Coordinator for CLFN, drumming and dancing with Dorothy Taylor: Mississauga Ojibwe Elder from CLFN and Brittany Taylor: Owner of Wildwood Studio, CLFN, along with sharing a brief history of the Mishkodeh and words to honour the National Indigenous Peoples Day. Enjoy Indian Tacos provided by Pow Wow Bus and local strawberries aptly served with Kawartha Dairy ice cream.
The Mishkodeh Centre for Indigenous Knowledge (MCIK) has been created as a special project, a joint project between local First Peoples and settlers in this region. In September, 2021, in honour of the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, the local group, Truth and Reconciliation Community-Bobcaygeon, organized a large gathering at the former location of the Bobcaygeon Library on Canal Street. This gathering honoured the children who died in Indian Residential institutions, the survivors and all of the families still feeling the devastating impact. Two years later, people across Canada are still searching for ways to make a difference, to go far beyond one annual event.
The MCIK is proud to announce that the organization recently received charitable status from Canada Revenue Agency and is set up with the Community Foundation of Kawartha Lakes to support and promote the fundraising efforts through individual and organizational donations, legacy giving and bequests, as well as community grants, foundations, churches, unions and other sources.
“Throughout my lifetime I have been blessed to have had opportunities to live, work and play in some amazing places in the Great Lakes region. I’ve also come to recognize those places were home to and were cared for by many many generations of First Nations peoples before my ancestors arrived at Turtle Island. My pledge to support the Mishkodeh project is made with gratitude for the land and those who have and are continuing to care for it.” Peter Kingsbury, Committed Advocate for Truth and Reconciliation
Together with its fund holders and partners, the Community Foundation of Kawartha Lakes supports and strengthens local initiatives in making a difference and enhancing the quality of life in this community.
Anyone wishing to donate can follow the link to the Mishkodeh Centre for Indigenous Knowledge on http://www.kawarthafoundation.ca/mishkodeh. Use the donate buttons to the right to help bring this amazing vision to life. Tax receipts are automatically issued and delivered directly in your inbox.
For more information, please contact the Mishkodeh Centre for Indigenous Knowledge: by email connect@mishkodeh.org
by phone Rodney Smith-Merkley (705) 313-2775 or Brenda Wall (416) 254-9903 Or contact the Community Foundation of Kawartha Lakes:
by email info@kawarthafoundation.ca or phone Margaret Cunningham (705) 879-2719
