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AANA_Celebration

Feature Article August 26/04

Feature Article August 26, 2004

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Celebrating the Wild Rice Victory in Ardoch

by Jeff Green with notes from Jos Tanner

On a late August day 23 years ago, there was a large OPP presence in Ardoch. On that day, the OPP were in Ardoch to try and facilitate the harvesting of a stand of wild rice (manomin) on the Mississippi River, that had been tended for years by Harold Perry of Ardoch.

Flash forward 23 years to last Saturday. Again there was a large presence of OPP officers in Ardoch, but this time they were on hand to celebrate the saving of that rice stand with Harold and Neil Perry.

The ceremonial highlight of the day came at 11:00, with the unveiling of a plaque by Harold and Neil Perry, commemorating the 1981 standoff and its ultimately peaceful resolution.

The OPP Aboriginal Drummers, an eight-member group of aboriginal OPP officers from across the province, which was formed about a year ago, opened and closed the ceremony. A representative of the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples, Alan Roy from the Union of Ontario Indians, Inspector Ron George, a counsellor for the Kettle and Stoney Point First Nation and the aboriginal liaison to the OPP Commissioners office in Orillia, all spoke at the unveiling ceremony. As well, North Frontenac Mayor Ron Maguire brought greetings from the township. Co-chiefs of the

Ardoch Algonquin First Nation and Allies (AAFNA), Bob Lovelace and Randy Cota also spoke.

The rice stand that was at the center of the dispute was developed out of rice that was brought to Ardoch from Alderville by Harold Perrys grandmother at the turn of the last century. There were dignitaries on hand from Alderville First Nations, as well as Curve Lake and Tyendinaga. Attendees also came from the Ottawa area, from north Ontario and Quebec, and from as far away as the northern United States

The wild rice dispute and the activities it engendered ultimately led to the formation of AAFNA, at a meeting in Harold Perrys home, just down the lane from the location of the plaque at the bridge over the Mississippi in Ardoch.

Part of the purpose of Saturdays event was to recognise people who were present during the standoff as well as those who have helped to build the community, both native and non-native, for their contributions and support. It was a celebration not only of a victory for the AAFNA, but of the rich diversity of people in the municipality.

After the unveiling ceremonies, later on in the afternoon, a festival took place at the Clar/Mil Hall and grounds in Plevna. Events took place all afternoon, including history workshops, kids games, bake sales and visiting between families.

Musical Celebration by Vietta McInnes

The Ardoch Algonquin First Nations Pow-Wow held at Clar-Mill Hall, Plevna looked to be a very busy interesting day.

The concert in the evening held in the skating rink, was great, such a lot of local talent. It was especially good to see Neil and Harold Perry up there on the stage performing. Neil is a wonderful fiddler, and for many years he played for most of the local dances in the area. The crowd enjoyed his music. Frank Morrison, acted as MC and also sang several songs. Neville Wells gave his usual enjoyable performance. Championship fiddler Joe White showed us how he came to be a champion fiddler, and his rendition of Orange Blossom Special was stupendous!! Murray White showed us what he could do on his guitar and also sang a few songs. The Gorr Family joined by Tod Gorr, lead singer for Steel Rail from Montreal, sang a lot of favourites and many people were dancing to all the toe-tapping music. In spite of the cold it was a really great evening. The people who planned this event are to be congratulated for doing such a wonderful job.

In spite of the cold it was a really great evening, and a fitting end to a historic day in Ardoch and Plevna. Organizers from AAFNA are hoping to make the festival an annual event, perhaps moving it to a date in the early part of August.

With the participation of the Government of Canada