BLind R. - Aboriginal N. Ontario

Blind River, 'heart of the north channel'.

The white pines drew them, people needed to take the pine logs to market. (The info board is quite helpful!)

A quiet town, now. There are boats and a harbour. We spent a day there.

Great people in town, they helped us find our way.

Population 3600.
It was quiet on a Sunday afternoon.
Native kids swimming off the dock.


This was my big idea: travel north to Lake Superior, Brian made a plan, via Blind River, on the North Channel of Lake Huron, to go to the Sault, to get us to Batchawana Bay.


As we drove, I heard Michael Enright's CBC show on Aboriginal People. He was talking to those running for election to the Grand Chief of the Assembly of First Nations.

"He will occupy the highest office in the politics of First Nations. The new chief will face a myriad of seemingly intractable problems facing the nearly 900,000 Indian people across the country. In the post-apology era, Indian people are frustrated and especially the young, cynical about any hope for real change."

As we drove we saw signage for many such folks.

The names, the language, the people are beautiful.

Such a strong, environmental message for all of us: embrace the land, we are all connected.






But not all benefit from tourism and infrastructure.
Some have work, like our chef!




What is sad are those who have stolen the Aboriginal culture by making Inuk Inukshuks, and some 'Mohawk' Motels are not necessarily! I thought that E. L. Superior was Ojibwe?!





Cottages strike a chord, juxtaposed by houses needing much work.

Wherein lies the answer?

Housing, jobs, an education, clean water, dignity and self-respect. A hand up, not a hand out. Role models and people with a purpose. We met many such Native Peoples on our travels up to Lake Superior.

This post features other shots of marvellous Native Peoples regalia. Fine photos!
N. Ontario, however, was a glorious place to visit.

The treatment of Native Peoples is a sad story of genocide across the continent. Another blogger did a terrific post on the Cherokee nation history.