This is Manitoulin

Home to over ten thousand Ojibwe natives, the largest unceded (self-governing) reservation in North America, the largest freshwater island in the world. A VERY CANADIAN EXPERIENCE.

Manitoulin is part of the long Niagara escarpment which is estimated to be between 390 to 430 million years old, so impressive, and has a unique formation of limestone, dolomite and shale, more than 500 meters thick here which attracts many a geologist and rock climbers from near and far. There are many fossil deposits throughout the island and really stunning lookout points on rock crop outs with fabulous hikes for young and old.

Manitoulin Island is on Georgian Bay and at the north end of Lake Huron, (one of the great lakes); steeped in history and lore. This island has been considered a special place for thousands of years and recently again became a haven for artistic, spiritual and cultural renewal attracting visitors from all over the world. The First Nations people's voice is visible throughout the island in local galleries, annual POW WOW's which is a traditional and competitive event within all of the island's first nation communities and open to the public every August. A traditional Hoop dance being the most breathtaking aspect of this ceremonial week. The Ojibwe Cultural Foundation in West Bay, located on the intersection of roads 540 and 551, is the islands cultural jewel. This building houses a world famous collection of exquisite native crafts, such as sculptures, textiles and paintings as well as the fine handiwork of many a native grandmother's quill box, beaded leather work and antler carvings. It is open to the public certain hours and an island "Must see" as it will provide an important cultural overview to its native people.

Another highlight in West Bay is the Church of Immaculate Conception, the only round church I know of. The circular building contains paintings and sculptures by renowned local artist Leland Bell whose work is exhibited throughout the world. It is wonderful to experience the villages dotting the one and only highway meandering throughout the island, bearing original native names such as Shequindah, Kagawong, Meldrum Bay, Wikwemikong.

With some observation you will notice that all of the island's outposts and now villages were originally oriented to the water and only later, reluctantly accepted land routes. These days there is a draw bridge connecting the island to a very scenic highway leading into the Trans-Canada route between Thunder Bay and Sudbury. Manitoulin is about 7 car hours north of Toronto via Sudbury, and boasts 2 small airports; is also accessible from the south via a modern car and passenger ferry aptly named "Chi Cheemaun", The Big Canoe.

The island is very popular for hunting, fishing, winter sports and appreciated for summer hikes because of its beautiful wildflowers, especially the lady slipper orchids. Popular sailing along the north channel and inland lakes made attractive by numerous well-developed public marinas. Manitoulin's Museums, scattered throughout the island and very well maintained, are open during the summer months. There are some incredible waterfalls, one being Bridal Veil Falls by Kagawong, "where the mist rises", a descriptive Ojibwe name and another on your way to Manitowaning, called High Falls.

One of the main features on the island are the Hawthorn bushes everywhere and their subsequent harvest, prepared into delicious jams, jellies, chutneys and relishes. The people now living on Manitoulin Island are frequently referred to as "haweaters" a term of endearment.

What brings me to Manitoulin year after year is the fact that the land is old, very, very old; the expanse wide, nature still natural and the size and dimension of the island allows anyone to connect deeply to the spirit of the ancestors. For 21 years, I have returned annually to celebrate the eagle, the loon, to breathe fresh air, bathe in the springfed lakes and rivers, sleep under the stars and beat my drum, connecting with the roots of my being.

For the past 14 years, I have taken small groups of eight select people, to form a living medicine wheel on sacred ground, close to the Wikwemikong reservation on the South Bay for a Vision Quest. Here we spend a week in attunement to the earth, remembering that we are the individual cells in the body of the earth, affecting and affected by the whole. We recall that each one of us through a ceremonial sweat lodge, as taught and entrusted to me by my native Elders, to fast and to pray and to call forth a vision that will empower our direction and honor our life skills anew. Through the inherent magic of the island, we join more deeply within the co-creatorship of the great dance of life. Enacting many purposeful rituals within the living medicine wheel, we celebrate our beauty and honor our individual calling in the great mystery of life, guided, protected and sustained by the spirit of the ancestors.

Here I have the privilege to help people to find their own personal mythology and spontaneously choreograph prayer wheels that will honor the life purpose and replenish Body, Heart, Mind and Soul with love, wisdom and creative intelligence that respect the great round of the universe while living within renewed integrity of the small round of the everyday.