he Ojibwe Pow-Wow excursion is the most popular excursion available to the cruise industry on Manitoulin Island. This excursion is truly our niche product offered to itinerary planners. The excursion begins at dock-side where passengers depart the ship and board coaches for a 30 minute transfer to the M'Chigeeng First Nation. The passengers are guided by local residents who are knowledgeable in the local history, culture and personality of Manitoulin Island. Passengers are provided the opportunity for a mini crash course in the Ojibwe language.
The first stop is at the Immaculate Conception Church. A spiritual focal point of the native community, that brings together the beliefs and customs of both the native Ojibwe culture and the Catholic Church. At the church the passengers are often greeted by the chief of the M'Chigeeng First Nation and are given an interpretation of the symbolism of the church by an elder of the community.
The next stop is at the Ojibwe Cultural Foundation building, a short 5 minute walk away. This beautiful new facility houses a vast collection of local native art and crafts. New for the 2003 season is an extensive collection of historical native artifacts, recently acquired from the Royal Ontario Museum. The final transfer is to the sacred community Pow-Wow grounds for a 45 minute narrated demonstration of traditional song and native dance. At the conclusion of the performance the guests are invited to join in a inter-tribal dance and to participate in the performance.
The excursion concludes with a guided 30 minute transfer back to Little Current where the passengers are encouraged to visit the shops in the quaint downtown. As the passengers re-board the ship they are given a gift from Lakeshore Excursions of braided sweet grass, a fragrant reminder of their time in our port.
he Ojibwe Pow-Wow excursion is the most popular excursion available to the cruise industry on Manitoulin Island. This excursion is truly our niche product offered to itinerary planners. The excursion begins at dock-side where passengers depart the ship and board coaches for a 30 minute transfer to the M'Chigeeng First Nation. The passengers are guided by local residents who are knowledgeable in the local history, culture and personality of Manitoulin Island. Passengers are provided the opportunity for a mini crash course in the Ojibwe language.
The first stop is at the Immaculate Conception Church. A spiritual focal point of the native community, that brings together the beliefs and customs of both the native Ojibwe culture and the Catholic Church. At the church the passengers are often greeted by the chief of the M'Chigeeng First Nation and are given an interpretation of the symbolism of the church by an elder of the community.
The next stop is at the Ojibwe Cultural Foundation building, a short 5 minute walk away. This beautiful new facility houses a vast collection of local native art and crafts. New for the 2003 season is an extensive collection of historical native artifacts, recently acquired from the Royal Ontario Museum. The final transfer is to the sacred community Pow-Wow grounds for a 45 minute narrated demonstration of traditional song and native dance. At the conclusion of the performance the guests are invited to join in a inter-tribal dance and to participate in the performance.
The excursion concludes with a guided 30 minute transfer back to Little Current where the passengers are encouraged to visit the shops in the quaint downtown. As the passengers re-board the ship they are given a gift from Lakeshore Excursions of braided sweet grass, a fragrant reminder of their time in our port.