Thunderbird Rising

Pamela Giroux | Sep 29, 2011

by Pamela Giroux, drummer

Photo: Dorina Friedli, Judi Montgomery, Pamela Giroux, Danka Brewer, Thelma Peterson

“Thunderbird Rising” is the empowering name given to a project that began over a year ago. Judi Montgomery, one of the drummers in “Sisters of the Drum” discovered in one of her genealogy quests that she had a cousin, Lloyd, who was collecting books and supplies for schools on reserves in the North. She began a dialogue with him since the “Sisters of the Drum” had also embarked on a similar project for a school in Attawaopiskat.

Back in February at the Heritage Festival, the “Sisters” were amazed with the response they received from the community at their fundraising effort for Attawapiskat. At that time, over $600 was raised for the school. After a conversation with the principal, we decided to purchase art supplies, as they were in short supply. But the problem then became how to transport these supplies to Attawapiskat, located on the shores of James Bay in northern Ontario and a fly-in community. This is where Judi’s cousin, Lloyd, comes into the story. Through various connections he was able to convince the military at Camp Borden to provide a plane for this humanitarian mission. When Judi heard this great news, she immediately informed the “Sisters” and suggested we join up with Lloyd’s project. So our art supplies were taken to Camp Borden, where they were placed on a huge transport along with all of the rest of the shipment destined for the North. Five of the drummers from “Sisters of the Drum” travelled to Camp Borden on June 27 to attend a very special sending off ceremony organized by Lloyd and his volunteers.

Representatives from the military were present, along with some of the students and volunteers who worked endless hours packaging these books. It was a very moving experience, and the “Sisters” were active participants with their songs, drumming, and a spiritual smudging for the books and the transport on the first part of the journey. Operation “Thunderbird Rising” was on its way!

Because of the mail strike in July, we missed the Thank You note sent to us from Attawapiskat. Just recently I called the principal and she assured me that our boxes of art supplies had arrived and were gratefully received by teachers and students. Mission accomplished!

(The students of Attawapiskat have been going to school in shabby portables for ten years. They are desperate for a new school, a proper facility for learning that we here in the South take for granted.)