Késsinnimek - Roots - Racines

Mission St. Eustache - Lake Kipawa
by   Rita Roy Drouin

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These photos were taken back in the 1980's on lake Kipawa at the Mission St.Eustache. This day started at the Kipawa Village from the St. Williams' Church. Fifteen boats left the village church for a procession 25 miles up lake Kipawa with the statue of Kateri Tekakwitha, our local priest, Father Larose and our Algonquin chief Mike McKenzie (now deceased). My husband and I were part of this fleet of boats making their way to Mission St. Eustache to honour our Blessed Kateri. I don't believe there has been a more devoted group of native people that have paid such homage to Kateri before or since.

The Algonquin people are a very devoted group of people most of them very shy and reserved. As was their custom, this was not an advertised event. All was kept quiet and solemn in reverance to Kateri. The trip was undertaken to place the statue inside the mission church which was done. We all enjoyed a picnic on the church grounds after the event. Hot tea, bannok (Indian bread), fresh fish and fresh blueberries which are very plentiful at Hunter's Point were enjoyed by all. Most of the boats were full to capacity of men, women and children and we were met by the Algonquins who move to Hunter's Point each summer, to their summer residences. Thinking about it now, it was quite an event which everyone took in stride and never bragged about.

 

This is the first time that I have ever spoken or written about it. I should have done so when I was involved with our local community newspaper, the Contact. It is the old Indian way, to do good deeds and never speak of them except amongst themselves. Indian people were totally self effacing. Today times are changing and many Indian people are speaking out for their rights and rightly so.

Rita Roy Drouin
Temiscaming, Québec.

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Photos compliments of Rita Roy Drouin
Késsinnimek - Roots - Racines
Copyright © 2003 & 2004 Norm Léveillée
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Created 1 Feb 2003