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Opener was great time by Ed Pearson The Georgian Bay Native Friendship Centre, which used to be the Midland Medical Centre, was a busy place last week. Com- mencing with a communi- ty breakfast on Wednes- day, there was four days of baby contests, theatre presentations, workshops on Indian government, Arts and Craft and spor- ting events cv!minating in a ribbon-cutting official opening for the new cehtre on Saturday. The focal point. for Native Awareness Week drew a large crowd of well- wishers, spectators, centre members and politicians. President of the Centre, Mr. Roger Jackson, co- ordinated the ceramonies which were ochestrated by four enthusiastic young drummers. Band Elders, Leonard Monague and Charlie Tobey regaled the assem- bly with some humorous homilies which were lost on this reporter because the punch-lines were delivered in Ojibway. Judg- ing from the titters that were coming from one seg- ment of the crowd, I miss- ed out .on some good one-liners. In a more serious vein, the speakers related to some instances during their early schooling when their education was diverted away from their native culture and educa- tion. They urged the au- dience to ensure that the native language and culture was preserved. Father Schreteen, from Martyrs' Shrine, was in- vited to present the book Gyindamowinan a selec- tion of readings by Fred Baragan, the noted Indian chronologist. The Friend- ship Centre aided in the translation and financial support for the publication. Austrian Printers of Penetang have been com- missioned to release the book, it will be available from them shortly. Muskoka-Georgian Bay candidate George Beatty, Doug Lewis, minister of state for Treasury Board and local M.P.P. Al McLean were on hand to add their congratulations to Council members. Midland Mayor Al Roach stole a march by bearing a gift, a handsome Midland Town flag. Roger Jackson thanked the town for the co-operation enjoyed in setting up the project and reiterated that-one of the aims of the centre was to encourage interaction bet- ween Native and Non- Native citizens. He promis- ed that the town flag would occupy a piace of honor in the new premises. The directors of the cen- tre aim to provide social, cultural and referral ser- vices to Native people in the area of Christian Island, Tiny Township, Penetanguishene, Mid- land, Port McNicoll, Vic- toria Harbour and smaller villages in the area. Lewis to meet with the Chief The Beausoleil Indian Band (which controls the Christian Island reserve) will meet with newly ap- pointed cabinet minister Doug Lewis to discuss star- ting a soap factory on the reserve. The meeting is tentative- ly scheduled for Sept. 24 in the Tiny Township municipal offices. The meeting was discussed at last Wednes- day's Tiny council meeting. The township will also join the meeting, as council has some concerns they want to raise. The band reportedly ~ wants to start the factory on the part of the reserve located on the mainland, at the north end of the township. The township says it wants to discuss recuper- ating some of the money it now spends on services for the reserve, such as snow- plowing and grating. "We get nothing for that,"' said clerk Guy Maurice. It also wants to discuss a laun- ching ramp. The Chief of the Beausoleil Band, Bernard McCue, was not available for comment. Simcoe North MP Doug Lewis was appointed minister of state for the treasury board last Thurs- day night, in a mini- Cabinet shuffle by Prime Minister Brian Mulroney. Approximately 20 people are expected to attend the ~ meeting. Ayash! g One of the best parts of Native Awareness Week at the Georgian Bay Native Friendship Centre were the performances of Ayash, a play based on an old Indian legend. This is one of the many mysterious scenes from the play. DRIVER EDUCATION COURSE Ontario Safety League Approved Next Evening Course Starts Sept. 8, 1987 $21900 NEXT DAY COURSE STARTS SEPT. 12, 1987 Private lessons also available RAY' S DRIVING SCHOOL since 1973 up to 44% discount on insurance 526-9615 Gift Certificates Available VISA ¢ MASTER CHARGE 24 HRS. 534-7645 GEORGE BEATTY Your Progressive Conservative Candidate Two years of Liberal Government have seen a 48% increase in Provincial Tax Revenues, through 19 separate tax in- creases. Rather than spend this extra revenue wisely, the Liberals have hired 4,645 new civil servants -- a cost of 250 for Muskoka - Georgian Bay Centre'. million dollars per year, and passed out millions to such causes as a 'High Tech The Liberals are high on spending our money, not so high on spending what is important to us HERE! GEORGE BEATTY and the Progressive Conservatives want our extra tax revenue turned into: e More funding for education facilities ¢ Relief for thousands who want but cannot afford rental housing, and incentives for developers to BUILD more rental units. e A minimum of 80% support funding for volunteer home care services in our communities. Our communities in need of home care services, should receive start-up grants. e Capital Grants for Roads -- before they deteriorate to a point requir- ing massive funding. GEORGE BEATTY STANDS FOR: * Have you asked yourself * * "What do the other candidates stand for?" Better' Educational -Facilities Affordable Housing A Better Break for our Elderly Better Roads WE CAN AFFORD IT NOW! "'Let's continue to build on a strong foundation." VOTE A Za ZA GRAVENHURST -- Muskoka Rad. S.., (next to the Library) 687-7616, 687-7667, 687-8871, 687-4392 BRACEBRIDGE -- 75 Manitoba St.. 645-3016, 645-3017 HUNTSVILLE -- Old Court House Building 789-6436 FRANK MILLER GB 4 VOTE BEATTY Your P.C. Committee Rooms MIDLAND -- 486 Hugel Ave., 526-0521. 5 26-022, 4 26-0523, 52 6-6701 Tuesday, September 1, 1987, Page 13 19dine ae 4 <, VE e; # 4