M’CHIGEENG—The skyline begins to glow as people gather at the Kenjgewin Teg teaching lodge in M’Chigeeng on the morning of Thursday, August 7, to listen to the teachings of Elder Josh Eshkawkogan as he prepares a sunrise ceremony to mark the beginning of PRIDE Week on Manitoulin Island.
It is a small group, to be sure, but the participants hail from across Turtle Island and are represented by all age groups, genders and orientations united in a belief in social inclusion and diversity.
As Elder Eshkawkogan offers a cleansing smudge and prepares the pipe, honouring the sky, earth, water and four directions, he speaks of the importance of acceptance of those who are different and empathy for their challenges. It is a message that encompasses the underlying spirit of PRIDE Week; a call for more than just understanding and tolerance of those who may be different from the so-called “mainstream” but goes beyond to include those who may be “different” from ourselves into that mainstream.
photo by Michael Erskine
photo by Michael Erskine
photo by Michael Erskine
photo by Tom Sasvari
photo by Makayla McGregor
photo by Michael Erskine
photo by Michael Erskine
To invoke Dr. Seuss, “People are people, no matter how queer.”
Each participant in the ceremony provides their name and where they are from, the words they wish to share with the others around the circle. Each speaks of their gratitude for being able to attend the moment.
Elder Eshkawkogan brings a bag of tobacco around to each person in the circle of the lodge.
As the sun rises in the eastern doorway, so too does hope. As the smoke from the pipe rises, so too do the prayers of each person holding tobacco in their left hands. Elder Eshkawkogan advises each person to find a Grandfather Rock upon which to lay down their tobacco. He walks around the circle placing the pipe on their shoulders as their prayers rise to the Creator.
PRIDE Week Manitoulin has begun in a good way.
The following week will proceed with many inclusive events held all across Mnidoo Mnising thanks to the efforts of Mnaadmodzawin Health Services and PRIDE Manitoulin, with the official kickoff taking place with the raising of the PRIDE flag on the Port of Little Current waterfront.
