WE HAVE A WINNER!
NATALIE LACASSE
of SUDBURY, Ontario
Chi Miigwech, Thank you all for playing and especially for your ongoing support of our essential programs.
This original quill artwork is a piece of Georgian Bay history donated by White Buffalo Road’s Executive Director, Vince Pawis, to support the French River Visitor Centre First Nations Aboriginal Advisory Committee in partnership with Ontario Parks, a non-profit organization Vince co-founded in 2007.
The French River Advisory continues to host the Annual French River Pow Wow and popular Summer Teaching Series supported by White Buffalo Road Healing Lodge and its mission to bring our traditional teachings to the public.
NOTE:
This is not an electronic raffle. After payment, you will be sent an email confirmation of your
ticket number(s) and a photo of your stubs for your records, with an option to have your ticket(s) mailed to you.
Results will be hand-drawn on September 30, 2024, at the French River Provincial Park Visitor Centre
Ontario Lottery License 754005
Learn More About the Advisory Committee & its Mandate
In 2007, the superintendent of French River Provincial Park understood that Ontario Parks needed to develop relationships with the Indigenous communities that have lived along and travelled the French River since time immemorial, to learn from them to preserve better the land that Parks are charged to protect and to take the first steps down the long and hard path of reconciliation.
Since then, the work these elders, educators, volunteers, and committee members began laid the foundation for new Indigenous advisory committees and cultural events at Killbear, Rondeau, MacGregor, and many other Provincial Parks across the province.
For Ontario Parks, the elders, educators, and volunteers who comprise the Advisory Committee and make this Pow Wow possible are the current voices of the river.
Committee Chair: Donna Longlade
Treasurer: Vincent Pawis
In support of this vital work, Vince offers up for raffle this beautiful quill artwork created by Irene Pawis, his late mother. Chief of Shawanaga First Nation in the late 1950s, Irene was a prolific artist, poet, and humanitarian dedicated to the well-being of her people.
In 1967, Blue Sky Woman was awarded the Centennial Medal for Service to the Nation and named ‘Blue Sky Woman’ along with membership in the Eagle Clan.
In 2016, at 93, Irene passed away, leaving a legacy of love, compassion and a willingness to help and teach others. Her life-long commitment was the inspiration that drove Vince to establish White Buffalo Road Healing Lodge.
From Irene’s celebrated collection of framed quill artworks, Vince offers up one piece of her artwork to further support this important mission that reflects true reconciliation between nations and cultures, and to honour his Mother in this pursuit.
Entire proceeds go directly to the French River Visitor Centre First Nations & Aboriginal Advisory Committee, an Ontario Non-Profit organization, for education and cultural events.
~ Vince Pawis, Treasurer & Co-Founding Member
Chi Miigwech – a Big Thank You
for your support of this vital work!
Ontario License no. 754005
French River Visitor Centre First Nations & Aboriginal Advisory Committee.
White Buffalo Road Healing Lodge is an authorized agent and forwards all proceeds.