Flotilla for Friendship 19 - Ottawa
Donation protected
Background
Police departments and Indigenous peoples have a history plagued with misconceptions, miscommunications and outright conflict. But we are building our future relationships on the real things we get to know about each other right now.
I am Lynda Kitchikeesic and I work with police departments and Aboriginal service providers to bring police officers and First Nation, Metis and Inuit kids together to learn respect for each other in the Flotilla for Friendship every summer. This year’s flotilla is the 19th time Indigenous kids and area cops will paddle their way to friendship!
In Ottawa, officers from the Ontario Provincial Police, Surete de Quebec, RCMP, MRC des Collines Police, Kitigan Zibi Police, Lac Simon Police, Awesasne Mohawk Police and the Ottawa Police Service’s are invited to partner with Aboriginal youth from programs of the Odawa Native Friendship Centre, Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health, Minwaashin Lodge & the Ottawa Inuit Children’s Village.
In Kingston, five police departments and Indigenous schoolkids are in their 4th year of Flotilla. 1400 police officers and nearly double that in kids have enjoyed a paddle courtesy of Flotilla for Friendship supporters!
I volunteer to coordinate this event but am hoping to raise a few dollars to help pay for all the costs of running the event. Contributions will also ensure the entire event can remain free of charge to participants.
Scenario
Using ancient and modern technologies (canoes and police marine patrol units), participants learn to rely on each other, spend time talking, and, casually, learn a little bit about each other’s culture. The event is free for all participants and nothing is bought or sold on site, ensuring the same quality experience for everyone.
The day begins with a water ceremony and opening circle. Kids and cops pair up, and, canoe along the canal route to a portage so they can continue their journey towards their reward - a feast.
Berries, granola bars, and other fruit are given along the way to help sustain them for the rest of their journey. Canoeing requires both hands so there is nothing to do but chat and get to know each other, making friendship a very real possibility.
Eventually the canoeing partners or team sync their paddling naturally and canoe along in rhythm with each other. Laughter rings out as people nearly tip their canoes or splash each other with their paddles.
This is not a race - but many feel the need for speed! Others have little canoeing experience. Marine patrol teams will accompany the flotilla for safety.
When they arrive at their destination the kids & cops will devour a traditional feast of wild game and rice. Sometimes the police hold a demo of some kind - bomb squad, tactical, etc. Other times the youth drum or sing. An Algonquin Elder will close the day with a circle.
Flotilla brings people together for a light-hearted day of vigorous physical activity, to experience our traditional knowledge and friendly relationship building. Canoeing is an ideal way to help people learn a lot about their partners, and, themselves.
Meegwetch. Thank-you.
Police departments and Indigenous peoples have a history plagued with misconceptions, miscommunications and outright conflict. But we are building our future relationships on the real things we get to know about each other right now.
I am Lynda Kitchikeesic and I work with police departments and Aboriginal service providers to bring police officers and First Nation, Metis and Inuit kids together to learn respect for each other in the Flotilla for Friendship every summer. This year’s flotilla is the 19th time Indigenous kids and area cops will paddle their way to friendship!
In Ottawa, officers from the Ontario Provincial Police, Surete de Quebec, RCMP, MRC des Collines Police, Kitigan Zibi Police, Lac Simon Police, Awesasne Mohawk Police and the Ottawa Police Service’s are invited to partner with Aboriginal youth from programs of the Odawa Native Friendship Centre, Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health, Minwaashin Lodge & the Ottawa Inuit Children’s Village.
In Kingston, five police departments and Indigenous schoolkids are in their 4th year of Flotilla. 1400 police officers and nearly double that in kids have enjoyed a paddle courtesy of Flotilla for Friendship supporters!
I volunteer to coordinate this event but am hoping to raise a few dollars to help pay for all the costs of running the event. Contributions will also ensure the entire event can remain free of charge to participants.
Scenario
Using ancient and modern technologies (canoes and police marine patrol units), participants learn to rely on each other, spend time talking, and, casually, learn a little bit about each other’s culture. The event is free for all participants and nothing is bought or sold on site, ensuring the same quality experience for everyone.
The day begins with a water ceremony and opening circle. Kids and cops pair up, and, canoe along the canal route to a portage so they can continue their journey towards their reward - a feast.
Berries, granola bars, and other fruit are given along the way to help sustain them for the rest of their journey. Canoeing requires both hands so there is nothing to do but chat and get to know each other, making friendship a very real possibility.
Eventually the canoeing partners or team sync their paddling naturally and canoe along in rhythm with each other. Laughter rings out as people nearly tip their canoes or splash each other with their paddles.
This is not a race - but many feel the need for speed! Others have little canoeing experience. Marine patrol teams will accompany the flotilla for safety.
When they arrive at their destination the kids & cops will devour a traditional feast of wild game and rice. Sometimes the police hold a demo of some kind - bomb squad, tactical, etc. Other times the youth drum or sing. An Algonquin Elder will close the day with a circle.
Flotilla brings people together for a light-hearted day of vigorous physical activity, to experience our traditional knowledge and friendly relationship building. Canoeing is an ideal way to help people learn a lot about their partners, and, themselves.
Meegwetch. Thank-you.
Organizer
Lynda Kitchikeesic
Organizer
Ottawa, ON
