Latest news with #WindsorEssex
CBC
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- CBC
Caldwell First Nation to offer tours of traditional sites en route to first pow wow on new reserve
Caldwell First Nation will hold its first ever pow wow on its new reserve in Leamington next month — and people will be able to take bus tours en route that will showcase the community's history. The Caldwell First Nation Pow Wow Bus Tour will take 105 riders on a free 90-minute tour along the Windsor-Essex shoreline, during which Caldwell First Nation guides will take them to village sites, trading posts and trails that helped sustain the people for thousands of years. "Our people have touched every square foot of this region and left lasting and sometimes invisible imprints," said Chief Nikki van Oirschot in a news release announcing the tours. "People in our region can take this opportunity to learn about the incredibly rich, sacred and historic First Nation sites." Members of the First Nation began moving to the reserve last summer after securing a $105-million land claim settlement in 2011 and acquiring 80 hectares of land, which were officially designated a reserve in 2020. Holding the first ever pow wow on the new lands "means everything to us," said Coun. Randy DeGraw. "This is so exciting for all of us. … We have fought very hard to get our land back. We have it, and we have people living on the reserve now. So the next step of course is to have this competition pow wow and to celebrate." It's especially important for the community to hold the event for the youth, DeGraw added, because it will inspire them to host their own pow wows as well. DeGraw said a particularly beautiful aspect of the event is the coming together of the First Nation and its neighbours. "What we're hoping to do is plant a little seed with this pow wow, and every year watch it grow a little more and more," he said, "and the unity between First Nations and the surrounding communities coming together." The pow wow is a competitive event that will feature drummers, singers and dancers from other nations who will compete for prizes, DeGraw said. The grand entries take place at noon and 6 p.m on Aug. 9 and noon on Aug. 10. The Caldwell First Nation Pow Wow Bus Tour will depart Windsor at 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 9 and at 10 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 10. Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island is providing a promotional sponsorship to the project. The collaboration marks the first step in what will hopefully be "a long and meaningful collaboration on Indigenous tourism," said Gordon Orr, CEO of the tourism organization in the news release. "We're honoured to walk alongside a nation so rich in stories, wisdom and heritage, and we're excited to help open more doors for visitors to engage with and learn from their incredible legacy." Riders will board the bus at Destination Ontario – Ontario Travel Information Services at 110 Park St. E. in Windsor.
CTV News
11 hours ago
- CTV News
All aboard! Windsor launches first Powwow Bus Tour
There's a new way to be educated and embrace Indigenous culture in Windsor-Essex. Caldwell First Nation is joining forces with the Windsor Port Authority and Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island to provide 105 people with free member-led bus tours on Saturday, Aug. 9 and Sunday, Aug. 10. The tour route will take riders along the Windsor-Essex shoreline to highlight many hidden and ancient Indigenous sites enroute to the Caldwell First Nation Reserve in Leamington. Upon arrival, the riders experience the first ever Competitive Pow Wow on the new reserve. The Powwow is a traditional gathering featuring Grand Entry of the First Nations, drumming, dancing competitions, Indigenous crafts, and tasty food. Powwow Bus Tour riders will board the bus at Destination Ontario – Ontario Travel Information Services, located at 110 Park Street East, Windsor. Purchasing a Powwow ticket via the website is required to reserve a spot on the bus tour. You can do so here. Powwow tickets are $10 per person. Children under eight and seniors over 60 receive free admission but still need to reserve their tickets online. You will be refunded the cost when the bus arrives at the Powwow. Space is limited to 105 riders for the bus tour.
CTV News
2 days ago
- Health
- CTV News
WECHU warns of blue-green algae bloom
The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU) is issuing a precautionary notice to residents based on initial laboratory results of a blue-green algae bloom in the region. WECHU reports the bloom is in the Ruscom River in the area of Trepanier Road and Lakeshore Road 129, in between St. Joachim and Comber. While initial chemical analysis does not show the presence of Microcystin related toxins within the samples collected, toxicity may increase due to the algae identified in the bloom. The health unit said residents on the municipal drinking water system can continue to drink the water. Routine water testing is done by the municipal water treatment plant and at this time there are no concerns. 'As a reminder, wind and water conditions may move the blue-green algae bloom towards other areas. Residents and visitors are urged to take a cautious approach and protect themselves, their children, and their pets from potential health risks,' says Dr. Aloosh, Medical Officer of Health. Residents that use wells or cisterns that draw water directly from the Ruscom River in the area of Trepanier Road and Lakeshore Road 129 (such as private cottages with wells) are advised not to drink the water unless they are routinely testing for microcystins using a licensed lab and results show levels less than 1.5 ppb. What is blue-green algae? Blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) are microscopic organisms that occur naturally in freshwater lakes, ponds, rivers and streams in the late summer and early fall. They are usually present in low numbers but can rapidly increase in warm, shallow, undisturbed surface water that gets a lot of sun. When this happens, they can form blooms that discolour the water or produce floating scum on the surface of the water. These blooms can make the water appear bluish-green, can form solid looking clumps, and may contain toxins, called microcystins, that can be dangerous to human and animal health. Contact with microcystins can produce negative health effects in humans such as skin and eye irritations and if ingested can lead to headaches, fever, diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting.
CTV News
3 days ago
- Climate
- CTV News
Cloudy and warm temperatures throughout Sunday
Clouds over a field in Windsor-Essex, Ont. (Courtesy Jacob Kerester) Cloudy weather lingers throughout the day on Sunday, with warm temperatures. The clouds are expected to clear this evening, and local smoke will drift in overnight. The smoke is expected to remain until Monday morning. The rest of the week is looking bright, with Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday bringing sunny weather. Here's a look at the rest of the forecast Sunday: Cloudy. Wind west 20 km/h becoming northeast 20 late this morning. High 25. Humidex 32. UV index 9 or very high. Sunday night: Clearing this evening. Local smoke overnight. Wind northeast 20 km/h becoming light overnight. Low 16. Monday: Sunny. Local smoke in the morning. Wind becoming northeast 20 km/h in the morning. High 25. Humidex 28. UV index 10 or very high. Tuesday: Sunny. High 28. Wednesday: Sunny. High 30. Thursday: A mix of sun and cloud with 30 per cent chance of showers. High 33. Friday: A mix of sun and cloud with 40 per cent chance of showers. High 31.
CTV News
4 days ago
- Climate
- CTV News
Be careful where you swim this weekend, WECHU cautions
If you're hoping to swing by a local beach between rain showers this weekend, you might want to check the water quality first. The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit's (WECHU) latest testing has shut down Holiday Beach in Amherstburg after E. coli levels surged above 1,000. Swimming's also not recommended at Cedar Beach, Cedar Island Beach, Colchester Beach, and Seacliff Beaches. But there are safe options — with Lakeview Park West in Lakeshore and Point Pelee Northwest getting the green light. Sandpoint Beach is closed for swimming while the city reviews next steps for the area. Water samples are sent to the public health lab in London, Ontario for E. coli bacteria count analysis. This season's sampling results are posted and available by calling the beach hotline at 519-258-2146, extension 1490.
