Latest news with #BearClan
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Old Fort Niagara launches campaign to build Native American Education Center
To commemorate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, Old Fort Niagara announced plans Tuesday to construct a replica 18th century Native American dwelling to serve as a Native American Education Center. The center will vividly represent the living conditions for Native Americans at the Fort during the Revolution and serve as a focal point for the Fort's Native living history programming. 'As one of the most historic sites on the Great Lakes, Old Fort Niagara has endured for nearly 300 years,' Robert Emerson, executive director, Old Fort Niagara, said. 'An integral part of that long history is the Fort's connection with local Native American nations — and it's important that we elevate that story.' Fort Niagara has already secured $200,000 toward the cost of the building and aims to raise another $50,000. The center's design reflects a little-known piece of local history. During the American Revolution, thousands of Native Americans fled to Fort Niagara to flee the ravages of war. Hewn log dwellings were constructed right outside the walls of the fort to house the Native allies of the British. The interior of the recreated log structure will include sleeping, dining and storage spaces — each incorporating period Native American clothing, weapons, trade goods, lighting and other historic pieces. Native interpreters will share with visitors the role of the Native peoples at the Fort, Native history and culture, trade, military alliances, diplomacy and survival. 'This facility and our enhanced Native programming will undoubtedly enrich the experience of thousands of school students, area residents and visitors to our region, who will have the opportunity to engage fully in both the military history of the Fort and its Native history,' said Jordan Smith, Mohawk, Bear Clan and head of Native education at Old Fort Niagara. In addition to educational living history experiences, the building will also serve as a hub for workshops for small groups to learn traditional Native skills such as moccasin making, beadwork, quillwork, finger weaving and even Native language classes. Old Fort Niagara also intends to invite local Native communities to use the building for social gatherings and small-group meetings. The public portion of the fundraising campaign, co-chaired by Chief Brennen Ferguson, Tuscarora, Turtle Clan and Michael McInerney, recently retired CEO of Modern Disposal Services, Inc., is underway with the goal of raising the remaining funds by early September. At a kick-off event attended by local Native American leaders and Old Fort Niagara supporters, Ferguson spoke to the importance of sharing the Haudenosaunee story. 'This cabin will stand not only as a window into the past, but as a doorway to greater understanding,' said Ferguson. 'The story of this land did not begin with the founding of Fort Niagara. Native Nations lived, traveled, and governed here long before European arrival. Today, Native staff at the Fort continue the vital work of educating the public about that deeper history. This structure will support their efforts, helping to share a fuller story; one that honors the presence, contributions and strength of Indigenous Peoples.' McInerney discussed the importance of supporting cultural sites like Old Fort Niagara and the imperative to attract new audiences. 'In addition to providing a new, engaging experience for all who visit the Fort, the Native American Education Center will draw new visitors and school groups, and help Old Fort Niagara broaden its reach,' said McInerney. 'The expanded draw will help ensure the Fort remains a vibrant educational resource in our community for generations to come.' The new building will be located adjacent to the Old Fort Niagara Visitor Center, with a planned opening in the spring. The facility will be open during regular operating hours, including for field trips, and can open for special events during the evening, lit by traditional lighting.
CBC
05-03-2025
- CBC
Bear Clan partners with Crime Stoppers and Aboriginal Alert to bring more missing Manitobans home
Social Sharing Bear Clan Patrol is teaming up with Aboriginal Alert and Winnipeg Crime Stoppers in hopes of finding more missing people, an initiative they say has been in the works for four years. "It feels wonderful. .. It's been a long time coming," says Angela Klassen, the coordinator for Bear Clan's West Broadway patrol and the group's missing persons liaison. Klassen says last year Winnipeg saw 4,430 thousand missing persons cases, out of which Bear Clan worked with the families of 321 missing people. "We were able to successfully help locate 228, giving us a 71 per cent success rate," Klassen told the media Tuesday. She hopes the partnership will increase the number of people they can locate. Crime Stoppers chair Robert MacKenzie has no doubt it will help bring Manitobans back home. The problem, he says, is hesitation in the community to come forward with information that could help find someone. "The thought is that they don't come forward out of a sense of loyalty, but what they don't realize is that they're doing more harm and damage by being loyal and keeping those secrets to those individuals." The partnership gives people with information about a missing persons case the option of contacting any of the three organizations anonymously. "The goal is to provide that alternative, that anonymity," MacKenzie said. The information is then passed on to the Winnipeg Police Service Missing Persons Unit. The initiative also includes Aboriginal Alert, an online network that posts missing Indigenous people across Canada. According to their most recent data, Winnipeg leads the country in the number of missing Indigenous people. "Winnipeg is facing an ongoing crisis," says Martel, who believes the combination of resources from all three organizations could help tackle a growing problem and help in missing persons investigations. Martel says oftentimes people are not reported missing, especially in urban areas like Winnipeg. Collaborating with a community-based group like Bear Clan provides the necessary outreach to start a search. MacKenzie says Crime Stoppers will also be giving a cash reward to those that come forward with information that helps solve a missing persons case. "The goal is to bring Manitobans home before they become victimized or even worse, victims themselves." Bear Clan Patrol partners with Crime Stoppers, Aboriginal Alert in hopes of finding missing people 1 hour ago Duration 1:31 Winnipeg's Bear Clan is teaming up with two organizations in the hopes of finding more of those reported missing. The street patrol says it's now working with Aboriginal Alert and Crime Stoppers. The Bear Clan's Angela Klassen says last year, the group worked with the families of 321 missing people.
