Week FOUR Eabametoong
Thanks to my dear friend Nancy Jacobi, for your donation to help me travel to Eabametoong First Nation. The money covered most of my airfare so I could spend 11 days at the KASKii Sewing Circle Project.
Here are some photos of the people that I interact with in the community.
This is Ellen, a smart articulate Elder who is my guide in helping me understand the many puzzling things about the place.
This is the 8 seater plane that takes me the 400 km north from Thunder Bay and back.
This is the studio above the firehall where we have set up shop. It's 12ft by 20ft.It looks messy but that’s just because there is so much activity as we cut and sew fabrics and make patterns, while visitors come and go throughout the day.
This is Clayla, one of the children that love hanging out at KASKii.Clayla loves to sew and is learning to operate the industrial machines.
This is Brie, another one of my little buddies.
Look at that face! This is Linette and she and Clayla designed dresses that we made for them. I am teaching them to sew.
Sometimes we all go for a swim together at a lovely spot with a natural beach.
The induction of the new and re-elected Chief and Band Council happened while I was there.
This is the drumming group performing at the ceremony and feast when the officials were inducted.
The Chief's red vest was made in KASKii as well as the moose hide one worn by the man behind her.
This is Sheila, who is a very talented and creative woman. Everly is the youngest of 6 children and comes with her to KASKii. Sheila is training to be a sewing machine operator.
This is Daisy, an Elder who comes and spends time looking at the fabrics. She does not speak any English but we manage to communicate through our love of making things.
Elders Daisy and Jane with a translator.
Lozan and Leia covering their noses because of the smoke from the forest fires nearby. The smoke was quite bad for 2 days, but there were helicopters picking up water from the lake and keeping it away from the community. Felt like a scene from M.A.S.H.
SO MANY KIDS!! Sometimes they drove us crazy, but there were no daycare options so moms had to bring them. They would touch everything.
One time, this little one in the pink had the entire tension mechanism from one of the sewing machines in her hand. Thankfully I was able to fix the machine. If we have a breakdown, it’s difficult to get parts for repairs. They are so curious and their little hands are into everything. I give them jobs to do and they love helping.
This is Paul Holcroft, the project leader. He lives there and is a true visionary. He has 7 children and cares deeply about creating Economic Development in Eabametoong.