Deh Gah Got'ie gathering unites families and honours tradition
Cultural site provides a return to historic gatherings
April Hudson
Northern News Services
Thursday, September 1, 2016
DEH GAH GOT'IE KOE/FORT PROVIDENCE
Families in Fort Providence and surrounding places found the real meaning of community as they united on the shores of the Horne River for a three-day gathering.
Community members gathered at the camp for the opening fire-feeding ceremony. - photos courtesy of Trisha Landry
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The gathering ran from Aug. 16 to 18 and gave community members a chance to reconnect.
Deh Gah Got'ie Chief Joachim Bonnetrouge said the camp had a dual purpose - first, to bring families together, and second, to honour Harry Frances, one of the signatories of the June 27, 1921 signing of Treaty 11. Frances signed as a headman alongside the chief of the day, Paul Lapoux.
"There were a few elders who really pushed for this gathering in order to honour him . so the initial thought I had was, elders should take the lead in the teachings, storytelling, and history of (Frances)," Bonnetrouge said.
"We also wanted (to go) out on the land together as families. In discussions, a lot of the families have drifted apart over the years, especially in town living. So we wanted to begin trying to re-institute visiting."
At one point, Bonnetrouge said, there were as many as 150 people gathered at the camp, with 27 motorboats hugging the shore.
Bonnetrouge said the plan for the camp was to have women come together in a group, and men come together in a separate group, to experience various cultural activities.
The men went hunting, and despite being driven back by a rough rain, Bonnetrouge said he managed to get five ducks, which were given to the elders.
"We also wanted the older ladies to have a special session with the young mothers and girls, to talk about ways of making dryfish and dry meat," he said.
"For many of us, it's all a learning (experience). You could learn about this kind of stuff in a classroom or workshop, but you have to really experience it. You have to be out there."
The weekend was filled with handgames for youth, words from elders, canoe races, fishing derbies and conversation. Bonnetrouge said the group also held some sharing circles and then finished the weekend with a fire-feeding ceremony.
"We basically invited the whole community, and a lot of people came for day trips," he said.
"We even brought our little grandson, two months old, to camp with us - a two month old baby, welcome to Denendeh."
Fort Providence was once known for its ceremonies and spiritual demonstrations. Bonnetrouge said the significance of the Horne River comes from its historic use as a traditional gathering place each spring.
"People hadn't seen each other all winter, so they would see elders, share what happened over the past year, and they also played very significant demonstrations," he said.
"It was special ceremonies and spiritual demonstrations that they did, so the area is well noted throughout Denendeh."
It was also close to the last historic dance circle they had, Bonnetrouge said. That site is now an island.
"1918 was the last big dance we had. If you're in a good, spiritual way, then you could go approach the dance circle. They would dance for three, four days."
He added many who attended the gathering have told him they plan to come back to the community when Deh Gah Got'ie First Nation holds its fall fishing camp at the Horne River.
Now, back from the pristine land that marks the Horne River gathering place, Bonnetrouge said he wants the community to look at holding another gathering next year.
"We're thinking maybe early June or middle of July. There will be more mosquitoes but the water levels will hopefully be higher," he said.
"That's a possibility."
