Special day celebrates Buckhorn’s heritage
Heritage Family Fun Day was rolled out again at the Buckhorn Community Centre for a wonderful day of heritage appreciation. There was the taste and smell of baking from our various heritages. There was the music and dancing of the Kawartha Country Cloggers entertaining us with their dancing to country, pop and Irish tunes. The Mitchell family illustrated step dancing and fiddle playing, a Canadian tradition with strong Irish ties.
Many of the exhibitors shared the crafts of their heritage. John Fritz used to be a custom home builder. Now he is exploring the craft of wood working as he has a good supply of dry wood making custom signs, mirrors, shelves, spice racks, and jewellery boxes. Marie Windover was there to share her vast historical knowledge of the area. John Swagger was there with his carved spoons. And new Canadians were there brought by the New Canadian Center to enable them to find out more about the heritage of their new country.
Ann Taylor of Curve Lake First Nation was there to show the film OSHKIGMONG: A Place Where I Belong. In her introduction she provided information about the naming traditions of the First Nations. Ann has both an English and a spirit name – Maangoh’kwan. There is also a clan name which reflects a specific set of responsibilities for each clan. The responsibilities may be taking care of things in the home or standing up for what is right. A clan’s responsibilities identify them to other First Nations.
Kim Muskrat of the turtle clan was an engaging story teller. With her hand painted drum she told the story of how the eagle talking feather came to be. She says that First Nations people are oral people and do not write stories down. Grandmothers are to tell stories to children.
Outside the BCC were the horse and wagon rides, snowshoeing, snowman making, and all day public skating. The Minden Fur council returned to demonstrate that part of our heritage.
Back inside the Hiawatha Men’s Drumming Group brought the activities to a close with the heartbeat of Mother Earth.
Public meetings
On Tuesday, February 27, from 5 to 8 pm in the East Banquet Room at the BCC members of the project team on the Buckhorn Hydro Project between Buckhorn Lake and Lower Buckhorn Lake in Buckhorn will be on hand to answer questions.
The public is invited to attend the meeting on a drop-in basis to learn more about the proposed undertaking and to provide comments.
The Rural Women’s Summit which happens on Friday at the BCC includes a panel discussion and participant dialogue from 2– 5 p.m., a keynote presentation by the Hon. Maryam Monsef, in her role as Minister of the Status of Women, from 5-8 p.m. with music and refreshments and time for networking and conversation.
And a public meeting on March 7 for the Buckhorn Greenspace/ Streetscape design plan. Meeting in Hartley Hall at St Matthews Church, 1937 Lakehurst Road, Wednesday, March 7 from 7-9 pm. those attending will learn about this exciting project, meet project representatives and provide input. Your ideas are wanted.