Naagzotam, Minjmendaan
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On this Island ancestors travelled to hunt, to fish, to explore, and to pray. Thousands of years ago there were people on Manitoulin. By the late 1600’s, many Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potawatomie had come to hold this as their own place. Manitoulin—the home of Kitche Manitou—had a new people. The rock, the water, the fire, and the wind had created a home for a people. Most new arrivals carried the faith of the Wendat and others—the faith in Christ in whom the real presence of that Great Spirit had been fulfilled. By the early 1800’s, there was a notable population in Wikwemikong.
1846 - “The Mission of West Bay had been started in 1846, when a family had emigrated there from Wikwemikong, and had been followed by a few others. Two years later Fr. Hanipaux found there ninety-six inhabitants, all Catholics and quite fervent in their faith. They had built a temporary bark church, and also a school house which served as a home for the priest when he visited them. The teacher and catehechist was a young man prepared for this work by Fr. Chone. In this visit Fr. Hanipaux had gone to West Bay by sailboat, and had been two days and nights on the way, much delayed by head winds.” (Fr. J. Pawuin, s.j.)
1860 – “Another Mission (besides Wikwemikong) was then in formation at a place called Mitchikinatinong, or West Bay... . It was blessed with a good young chief named Louis Debassige, who looked upon his people as his children, and fulfilled towards them the duties of a father. He gathered them on Sunday for prayer and instruction, and spent most of his time teaching school to the boys and girls.” (Fr. J. Pawuin, s.j.)
“On June 22, 1861, a great meeting took place at West Bay, the acknowledged centre of the Island, to perfect the plan of resistance, and three chiefs were chosen to carry on the work: Kinojameg Jr., Wakegijik and Ominakamamigo.” (Fr. J. Pawin, s.j.)
Sadly, the Jesuits and Wikwemikong—whose territory was now exempted—were outsmarted and the rest of the Island entered into treaties with the new government. Wikwemikong alone, to this day, remains the only unceded territory in Canada.
1874 – Michiguedinong: “The village is situated at the head of West or Honora Bay, and is occupied by Chippewa (Ojibwe) Indians, the Band of Chief Paimoquonaishkung; they are all Catholics, and have recently built a substantial church, the workmanship on which is of a highly creditable character. They also have a school house, which it is intended to have in operation this coming winter... .” (Indian Affairs)
1889 – “They have a commodious church and a large school house, are Catholics, and have a decidedly prosperous community. The sugar making industry... was during the past spring the best known for several years as much as ten thousand pounds having been made by the band.” (Indian Affairs)
1920’s – Jack Pine are planted from seeds carried from Britain by Fr. Eugene Papineau all around the church to the shore of the bay and east and west. They remain today a unique ecosystem on the Island.
1940’s – many young men enlist to serve in the Canadian Army during the Second World War. The names of those who died can be seen today on the memorial in front of the church.
1948 – Lakeview School is built. The two-room school had room for 30 students and was soon expanded.
1955 -- a hall is built just south of the church (near the present-day Complex). Receptions, bingos, and all sorts of community gatherings were held in this hall until it was replaced by the current complex in the 1980's.
1957 -- A statue of Our Lady is mounted on the main road in front of the church, where it still stands today. She is named as the protector of M'Chigeeng and of youth. Fr. Alexander Rolland was named pastor in 1954 and continued to 1959. Later he would continue as a Jesuit missionary in the northwest. The statue was rededicated in the early 2000's.
1968 – the new Lakeview School is opened by the Prime Minister of Canada, the Rt. Hon. Lester B. Pearson. Gus Debassige was chief at the time.
1971 – (February 27th) an explosion utterly destroys the church building. Young John Reynolds, who had come to teach at Manitoulin Secondary School only weeks before, lost his life. Apparently the propane furnace which had been installed two weeks earlier malfunctioned. Fr. Mike Murray arrived the next day after a hockey tournament and resolved to rebuild the church.
1972 – the new church building opens with astonishing reaction. The “round church of West Bay” instantly becomes famous as a blend of traditional Catholic and new Anishnabe spirituality. Band members and visitors flock to experience this coming together of traditions. M’Chigeeng enters a new age of art, culture and architecture.
1972 – A new West Bay Band Office opens across the road from the church, beside the old Excelsior post office. The present building was officially opened in 2005.
1974 – The Ojibway Culture Foundation opens in two small trailers at the corner of Highways 551 and 540. Within four years the OCF had moved into a new house-like structure. The present structure, which attracts tourists from around the world with its excellent exhibits in addition to its displays of Anishnabe art and craft was officially opened in 2000.
1977 -- Joseph Fox is ordained as a Deacon. In this joyous celebration M'Chigeeng welcomes for the first time an ordained man into service in our parish who is from our parish. In the next three decades Deacon Joe will baptise over one-hundred children and marry over a dozen couples. Joseph Fox will be known as a counsellor to those in need, and a comfort to those who really need.
1984 – The visit of Pope John Paul II to Canada inspires aboriginal peoples from coast to coast. Speaking in Midland, ON, the Pope declares that “Christ is himself, in his members, Indian.” Deacons from many native parishes are presented with a ‘Book of the Gospels’ by the Holy Father, including our own Deacon Joseph Fox.
1997 – Daryld Winkler-Corbiere, a native son of M’Chigeeng, is ordained in Toronto as a Basilian priest. M’Chigeeng celebrates his first Mass with him.
2000 (September) -- The new building for the Ojibwe Cultural Foundation opens on the site across the road with exceptional exhibits of art works and crafts. Beyond the seven First Nations on Manitoulin, a total of seventeen First Nations from the Sault to lower Georgian Bay become participants in this astonishing acheivement. The focus shifts from presenting and developing Objibwe culture to and within the community to attracting interest from tourists and others.
Please check out the history of that other great native church on Manitoulin Island, Holy Cross at Wikwemikong: holycross.diocesessm.org/about/history/en
Sheshegwaning Catholic Church: sheshegwaning.diocesessm.org/index.html/en
Gore Bay Catholic Church: gorebay.diocesessm.org/about/index.html/en
Mindemoya Catholic Church: http://mindemoya.diocesessm.org/about/index.html/en
A reasonably good historical summary of the Ojibwe people from a continental perspective: tolatsga.org/ojib.html
A recent book launch Letters from Manitoulin: 1850-1873 tells a story: http://www.jesuits.ca/News/2007/2007_12_01_manitoulin.php
The Ojibwe Cultural Foundation, across the road from the church: www.theocf.ca
The best overview of M'Chigeeng? From the M'Chigeeng hiking trail!
At the back of the M'Chigeeng First Nation Pow Wow grounds on Highway 551, about 2 km south of the church, is the entrance to this 8km hiking trail. For an hour-and-a-half delight, get someone to drive you to the entrance, and then end-up by walking back to the church or the OCF. Wear good walking shoes, but the trail is leisurely. You will have to climb steps, and walk down rocky grades, but it is for casual hikers as much as for experienced trekkers. You will see the largest island on a fresh-water lake on a fresh-water island in the world ('Mindemoye', the old lady) plus astonishing views of West Bay, the forests, farmland and settlement of M'Chigeeng. Visitors for the first time will kick themselves if they do not bring their cameras. But be careful. The ledges are steep and kicking is not recommended.
A genuine Jesuit Retreat, Manresa in Pickering, for spiritual renewal. See video:
