By: Arisawe

This writer had the opportunity to go on a boat tour this past weekend, June 17th and 18th. If anyone has ever gone on one of these boat tours of the 1000 Islands, I'm sure you'll agree that the "view is breathtaking;" the river, the islands, the trees, rocks and boulders.

There are some islands that are small, yet someone thought it is just the right size to carry a cabin and two Adirondack lawn chairs. Then there are more extravagant homes on small islands too, but every bit of the space is used for a home, boathouse and boardwalks connecting all the structures on the small island. Oh, and two Adirondack lawn chairs. The larger islands and shorelines hold mansions and even a castle. I wonder, "Who are these people?"

Then it occurs to me, except for the tourists and the workers, there are no other people to be seen. The chairs on the islands are empty, as if they were placed there to add to the scenery. No fishermen. No children swimming and jumping off rope swings into the water. No canoes and kayaks but there were some jet skis. Even the green suspension bridge, connecting Hill Island to Alexandria Bay, Canada to US, seemed almost unused as our boat ran beneath it, and I wondered, "Why do the bridges in Ahkwesahsne have to be so busy?"

I imagine what it must have been like if these islands were still in our territory and not named after some millionaire. I know that this river connected our ancestors to this land and the river was never meant to mark a border. It was a place where they hunted, fished and grew gardens. Fruits were harvested and medicines were gathered. My father told me of an island where they would go to collect sap from the Maple trees on one of the islands. That place is under water now, thanks to the dam.

If you were to go on a regular Gananoque Boat tour, you'd hear how great and powerful the settlers of the region developed and tamed the land. There'd be little mention of the original people in the territory, and if we were mentioned, there would probably not be much by way of factual history. You would only know of this place from the perspective of non-native people whose government happens to be celebrating 150 years this year.

"Whose stories are we missing when we speak about land and freedom? It's a profoundly important question for artists, Cheryl L'Hirondelle and Camille Turner, who share a keen interest in the mapping of public memory-our countless stories untold and songs unsung."

The Freedom Tours is a project created by artists Camille Turner (Black Ancestry) and Cheryl L'Hirondelle (Cree/Metis) as part of Landmarks 2017, commissioned by Partners in Art for Parks Canada. The project was curated by Tania Willard of the Secwepemc Nation.

The tour itself was narrated by Gail Maurice (Cree/Metis) who is an actor and filmmaker based out of Toronto. The other person who narrated the tour was Wayne Dunkley, a media artist in Toronto.

The program began on land before the people boarded the boat. The people gathered to listen as Jan Hill of Tyendinaga recited the Ohenton Karihwatehkwen. She also was an advisor to the project.

Throughout the tour, the narration was paused so that other guests could share words and songs with the tourists. Among them were Eddy Robinson (Anishinaabe/Muskegowuk Cree) who shared a hand drum song and words of responsibility and reconciliation with each other and the land.

Mosa McNeilly, known as Grandmother Assiatou, is an Ancestral Story Keeper who is deeply connected to African plant spirit medicine. She shared her knowledge with the people and the children were especially drawn to her.

The Jay Harmony Singers were three women, led by singer-song writer Jay Harmony. They shared the song "Glory," from the movie "Selma." Their soulful sound was powerful and appreciated by all.

Shandra Spears Bombay (Anishinaabe) is an actor, singer and writer. She shared songs and words with the people.

Kontiwennenha:wi shared the Water Song and Kaieri Niionkwetake. They were well received by the crowd, also.

When the tour was complete, the people gathered on the land again where Eddy Robinson sang a Round Dance song and everyone danced.

Jan Hill

It would be so fitting if this tour could become a daily occurrence but for those who were able to hear the real history on the boat tour, I'm sure it would have created lasting memories. There is one more opportunity for people to hear a Freedom Tour. They will be going to Rouge National Urban Park in Toronto on June 24, 2017. There, people can participate in Artmaking, then there will be a procession to "move, sing, dance and ...stand in silence together," for Mother Earth. If you want to learn more about the tour, go to http://www.landmarks2017.ca.