It is true that during the years when the tremendous cruelty living in the world of addiction weighted me down and even at times, left me for dead. Emotionally I no longer had a heartbeat! I cared not for the wellbeing of my community or nation. What a terrible waste those years were!
When sobriety began for me, it brought a faint pulse once again into my emotional domain. With the help of ancient ceremonies (for so long outlawed by Canadian law) I was able to stay strong in my vow to forever renounce a life of nonsense and waste. The pulse of my emotional realm grew strong and healthy and remains so to this very day (since 1988). But it was more than ceremonies which lifted me out of the gutter. It was also the beauty, the wonder and the genius of the Anishinabe Algonquin Nation which placed a shield before me, to keep temptation at bay.
To me, there is no greater evidence of Algonquin genius than the birchbark canoe. It truly is a world wonder! Recently I was contracted by the Museum of Science and Technology to write a poem on ‘precision’ as seen through the eyes of our people. I immediately thought of human beings in a birchbark canoe ‘chuting the rapids’. The canoe is medicine! The canoe calms, it sings a song, it is a gift to us from ‘All Our Relations’!
If you are in a world of addictions and want to free yourself of it, I urge you to take up canoeing. The canoe is a powerful healer. Give it a try in your healing.
The following is the poem I wrote for the Museum, enjoy!
Precision on the Rapids
Albert Dumont ©
Human beings
Holding dear, in heart and spirit
Trust, in oneself
Trust, in the spirit of the river
Trust, in a vessel, made of birchbark
To gracefully perform its dance
Over the waters of swift moving rapids
Oh, aware they are
That the white waters, hunger
For the touch of the canoe
And the melody sung
By the skin of a tree, rises
In harmony, with the ancient song
Being sung by waters and rock
Flesh and brawn, skill and courage
Along with spiritual energies, entering human beings
Making them one, with the canoe
The structure, wonder and genius
Of Creator’s craft
Its weight, its length, its width
Assures it will survive
The force of swift-moving waters
Human beings in harmony with
The paddle
How deep, how close, how far
From the canoe
When, where, why
Like medicine
The canoe defeats the rapids
And onwards it travels
On the Great River of Life
Keep the Circle Strong,
South Wind (Albert Dumont)
Albert,
You’re a leader of great insight. Your message made me want to explore and further understand the birchbark canoe.
The birchbark canoe was the principal means of water transportation for Indigenous peoples of the Eastern Woodlands (The Eastern Woodlands is a large region that stretches from the northeastern coast of present-day United States and the Maritimes to west of the Great Lakes).
AND later voyageurs, who used it extensively in the fur trade in Canada.
The Canoe has been and is a way of life for the Indigenous Peoples of Canada especially in vast wilderness areas. The Canadian Canoe is not only the most versatile and reliable mode of transportation, it is a symbol of community, family and connection by the Indigenous Peoples and Métis Voyageurs.
Canoes of cedar are still made and used for a variety of reasons. One particular use of canoes today is to reconnect First Nations people with their culture as a healing experience.
“Voyage upon life’s sea, to yourself be true, and whatever your lot may be, paddle your own canoe.” – …
Beautiful Albert! Especially moving to read this on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. These are healing words.
“Trust, in the spirit of the river”..
Love you Albert. Thank you for all you do.
Beautiful poem,Albert ! For years now when I am faced with stressful situations I have been calming myself by picturing in my mind being in a canoe paddling over a calm lake in early morning,many times this picture has enabled me to get through many difficult situations. Never connected the canoe to my ancestors but now I believe it was my Grandma Cecile Fraser Kaponichin Gagnon showing me the way to healing.
Thank you for these words!
Your poem has reminded me of the birch bark canoe situated at the Ottawa Mac Donald Cartier international airport. It was constructed by elder Peter Maranda, master craftsmen and Algonquin elder. I can only imagine the number of Ottawa residents and tourists from around the world who have stopped to inspect this magnificent hand constructed canoe!