Reconciliation Paddle w/ Mississaugas of the Credit and ORCKA

Chi migwetch to everyone involved with this amazing paddle (and the kickoff to BCP’s 5th season) bringing ceremony back to the Credit River. The Mississaugas of the Credit are a people disconnected from their traditional waterways and ORCKA stepped up to collaborate on ways we can start reconnecting the dots. We built skills, community, feasted, listened and learned A LOT and left inspired to return again. Big canoes are vessels, as in watercraft, but also as in containers and we contained riches when we came together. Credit Valley Conservation was on board as well as Mississaugas of the Credit councillors (first time on the water in over 170 years!). We were sent on our way, paddling to the site of the last mission village on the Credit (now the Mississauga Golf and Country Club) by the Chief of MCFN and the Mayor of Mississauga. We came back better for having paddled together. Thanks to Thrive Tours for bringing their chi jimaan all the way from Bawaating to help get everyone on the water! Nibi is life and reconciliation is a verb, thanks to everyone who’s making it happen; especially First Nations with the generosity and the patience, despite all the history, to extend a welcoming hand.