Traditional feast in Stratford brings Huron-Perth Indigenous communities together

A Indigenous feast was held in Stratford as an initiative towards showing support to First Nations, Inuit and Métis people in Perth and Huron counties.

A traditional Indigenous feast was held in Stratford on Saturday as an initiative towards showing support to First Nations, Inuit and Métis people in Perth and Huron counties.

The pot-luck style meal was hosted by the Falstaff Family Centre (FFC), the Huron-Perth Children’s Aid Society, Tall Tree Mediation and Consulting and the Avon Maitland District School Board.

“In our culture, that’s what you do,” said Wendy Stewart, an independent First Nations consultant and one of the feast’s organizers. “You just say ‘hey, we’re gonna have this big, big potluck cookout thing. We’re going to bring in our culture of people and come on out.’ And a feast is for everybody.”

Dozens of attendees, including elders and other members of Indigenous communities from across Ontario, filled tables that were set up in front of the Falstaff Family Centre.

Stewart said the event was created to bring Indigenous communities together.

“Because of residential schools, so many people were displaced, so many people were adopted, so many people grew up without even knowing who they are,” she said. “We want to find these folks and we want to start on the journey as a community to take responsibility for ourselves instead of waiting until they’re involved in the system for all of that to happen.”

Saranne Whetung, another organizer involved, said feasts were essential in the culture.

“In Anishinaabe culture, bringing folks together with a meal is a great, great thing,” she said. “People mingle, we chat, we learn about one another.”

She continued, talking about how Saturday’s event was a chance for attendees to embrace the culture over a good meal.

“We will be having a potluck-style meal. There will be a blessing over that food with good intentions for the work that we’re hoping to implement moving forward within our community. We will have a big drum, with singing and those sorts of things to bring those voices to the forefront. [It’s] just a time to spend together to learn more about one another and build our community together.”

The feast preceded an opening ceremony for the First Nation, Inuit and Métis (FNIM) Gathering Place, a classroom space built in the basement of the FFC dedicated to indigenous culture.

This gathering space will be the first of its kind in Stratford, according to Stewart and Whetung. They said the city has never had a dedicated gather space for indigenous communities in the area ahead of the opening of the upcoming location.

“When you get into the smaller communities, not just Stratford but you’re talking Huron-Perth, no, there is no space. No where you don’t have to put your sacred items away because another group is coming in. [It’ll be] a space for us.”

Once the FNIM Gathering space opens, Stewart and Whetung said they plan to host weekly lunches for community members.