WE ARE CONNECTED: SAUGEEN RIVER BRIDGE RENAMED

Saugeen Shores Mayor Mike Smith and Saugeen First Nation Chief Lester Anoquot
with the new signage ... "We are Connected"

On the shore of Lake Huron in Bruce County, two communities are working together to become more connected -- Saugeen First Nation and Southampton, Saugeen Shores.

Earlier this week, on "Indigenous People's Day", the two communities came together in an historic moment. Peoples gathered, from one side to the other, on the bridge that spans the Saugeen River between their communities to celebrate and officially give the bridge an Ojibway/English name, 'Zgaa-biig-ni-gan' ... "We Are Connected".

The vision was that of Southampton's G. C. Huston Public School Principal Dan Russell, where the student body is made almost equally of Indigenous and non-Indigenous students.

Dan Russell, right, with drummer group.

Russell, who has been Principal at the little school for almost eight years, embraced the philosophy of the First Nations' Seven Grandfather's teachings and has worked to instill them not only in the school but throughout the communities.

He has made the teachings an integral part of the cultural learning and behavior in the school. Each month for more than a year, a classroom door was designed and painted by students to illustrate one of the teachings. In addition, the 'spirit' shirts worn by students and staff at the spirit assemblies list the teachings.

Although several names were considered, elder Rita Root put forward the name Zgaa-biig-ni-gan (We Are Connected). G. C. Huston students voted and the name was chosen.

Indigenous Peoples Day (Solstice), was actually a full day of celebration begining at dawn with the sunrise ceremony and lighting of the Sacred Fire and continued with a community breakfast and celebration at Saugeen's Wesley United Church courtyard. From the morning celebrations, everyone gathered at G. C. Huston Public School for lunch and a tour of the Grandfather Teaching doors before heading to the 'Bridge naming Ceremony' at the Saugeen River.

Good things are happening in our community, thanks to some good people -- and kids. It's taken a while!

With thanks to Sandy Lindsay,  Saugeen Times