The 1st National Canoe Day Proclamation
(As Read in English by Curve Lake Chief Keith Knott and then in Ojibway  by Mrs. Anita Knott on June 26th, 2008)

Whereas Canada is a nation of rivers, where the canoe is still the most appropriate vehicle for accessing much of this country and

Whereas 400 years ago the Aboriginal Peoples across Canada welcomed Samuel de Champlain and those who followed from across the oceans and

Whereas we shared with these visitors our ways, our technologies, our love of the land, the animals, the waters and the air and

Whereas the canoe embodies the spirit of the natural materials from which it is made and the essence of the people who have made them through the centuries and

Whereas this vessel was given freely as a gift to Canada from the Aboriginal Peoples of east, south, west and north and

Whereas the canoe was adopted by the visitors and has become a symbol of the founding contribution of Aboriginal Peoples to this nation called Canada and

Whereas the canoe in its many shapes and sizes is still one of the most fun, relaxing, fulfilling and non-polluting forms of recreation and most profound ways to connect with nature …

Whereas in 2007 the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation polled Canadians who declared the canoe as one of the seven wonders of Canada

Whereas the canoe continues to play an integral role in the history and evolution of Canada and stands as testament to the necessity and power of working together as we move forward together …

Be it proclaimed on behalf of the First Nations of Canada, the County and City of Peterborough and surrounding municipalities That June 26th, 2008 be declared National Canoe Day.  As Chief of Curve Lake First Nation, I call upon governments and peoples of Canada to mark this occasion annually on this day.

All in favour join me in the paddler’s salute, followed by O Canada and an honour song.

Mikinaak Minis Jiimaan Giizhgak Naaknigewin

Midash giw Nishnaabeg endaawaad maa ziibih pasadanaag pango ochibkwendming

Miidash Mikinaak Minis ekitaamgwiinak ziibiin, jiimaan iw geyaabih meyaahaabdak daabaan aabjichkaadeg maa Minkinaak Minis

Miidash niiwaak baboonag kina Nishnaabeg eyaajig Mikinaak Minis giimnodaapnaawenmaawan Samuel de Champlainan giw dash geh gaabih maandanaawaad biaazhgewaad iw Kitchi zhiiwtaagnih Zaagigan geh

Miidash gii a’aabtoonmangid ezhtaayang giw gaabih ewdiskoyang, enagjitoyang ozhichganan, ezhi zaagtooyang o’o akih, wesiiyag, iw nibih geh mizhishwaanmak
Miidash iw Jiimaan ejichaagni maawndoonang niw jida-aabjichkanan eaawang ezhichgaadeg geh ewizhitojig eaawninig giw Nishnaabeg gaa ozhitojig daaswaak daaso biboonag geh

Miidash giw Nishnaabeg ebjibaajig Waabnong, Zhawnong, Bigishmog, Giiwedin geh

Miidash iw jiimaan gaa-daapnigaadeg ji-aabjitoowaad giw ewdisgoyang dash gii maajiiaawang mikaagan miigweewnan Nishnaabeg maa kiing Mikinaak Minis ezhnikaadeg geh

Miidash iw jiimaan nooj eyazhjiiyaagin geh enigokwaagin geyaabih meyaa mnowaazing, oyeshmooning, debgenming geh gaawiin wiinchigesnoomgad manjgonakeh maa kiing geh nibiing

Miidash iw jiimaan niizhomadaaswaak niizhwaashwih iwh Mikinaak Minising maangdeyaag tebwebnigan emaawndogoyakshiichgejig ezhbiimowaad Mikinaak Minis enjibaawaad giw gaa goyaksidojig iwh Jiimaan chi aawang niizbwaaswi maamkaadenmownan maa Mikinaak Minis

Miidash iw Jiiman geyaabih ezhichgewaadjigiishtojig gaazhi bimaadziwaad Nishnaabeg geh nokiikaadming maano chi maajiiseg maa Mikinaak Minis jikenjgaadeg minezwin geh mishkawziiwin maawndo nookiiyang megwaa maawndo niigaaniiyang

Menoh mizhisha dadibaajijigaadeh Nishnaabe ogamigoon Mikinaak Minis, eniigaanziitming akiins geh odena Peterborough geh giw giwtaawaiing egimaakaandizjig

I’iwh Demin Dabik Giizis Niizhidana-ninggodaaswi-niizhwaaswi gazhi kichitwaawenjgaadeh Mikinaak Minis Jiimaan Giizhigak.  Niin Gimaa enjibaayaan Wayaag Zaagigan Nishnaabewgamig, ndi dewemaag Ogimaawew (eniigaanzijig) geh bemaadzijig Mikinaak Minis beshbiitoog iw noogom maa baapnakmigak biboonag enakmigak

Kina Eaasnamwaad wiiji bwiiwnini nimgotwewtodaa