Gagwegakendamaawiziwin Results

Seven Generations Education Institute would like to take this opportunity to thank all the volunteers, participants, and staff involved in making the 1st Annual “Gagwegakendamaawiziwin” event a success. First we would thank the Creator for providing this opportunity to be with the youth, for bringing us all together safely and getting us home as well. Special thanks goes to:

Chief & Council and the Couchiching First Nations Community for providing an excellent location for Gagwegakendamaawiziwin; Bill Perault. for being there with his keys and being an excellent M.C.; Nancy Jones for Opening and Closing prayers on our behalf; Buzzy’s jerzee city for the beautiful t-shirts; Native reflections for the certificates and scribblers; Fort Francis General Supply; Economy Printing for the Banner “Gagwegakendamaawiziwin” and the following volunteers:

If we have failed to mention anyone who contributed, please accept our sincere apologies.

Finally to the students – thank you all for your participation. You have made this event possible and we look forward to seeing you again next year.

Gagwegakendamaawiziwin (Formally known as Quest for Knowledge)

There’s a new game in town and it’s called, Gagwegakendamaawiziwin. It used to be known as, “Quest for Knowledge”, but people wanted more, something a little bit more challenging! And so Gagwegakendamaawiziwin was born. In the past, Quest was just one task. Now with the new format, the students are faced with 6 tasks.

It must seem overwhelming to our readers, but for the participating students, and the looks in their eyes told another story.

The tasks begun well in advance of game day. Each participating team, Junior (grade 5 & 6) and intermediate (grade 7 & 8) had two assignments that needed to be completed before game day.

Team Spirit points consisted of either; a) making a team song, b) having an original team name, or c) making a team flag.

The second task was Oko’ozhigeng (Nation Building). Each team was instructed to build their interpretation of a nation. This was a very inspiring event with the models that the students brought in. They were judged by originality and details. All of the models presented were well made, with a great deal of work put into them. Details and descriptions of every shape and size were laid out.

Then the games began. Ikidodaa (Say It!), Gichi-wenoodizid (Who Wants to be a Millionaire?), Andawaabanjige (Scavenger Hunt) and of course, Maamoochigwnidamoog Gikendaasowin (Quest for Knowledge). Various points were awarded from each game, the team with the highest points at the end of the day was declared the winner. Speaking or translating the Ojibwe language earned higher marks, while using the English language gained lower points. Teams were tested on their knowledge of culture, politics & animals. Each game lasted 15 minutes.

It proved to be an interesting day with lots of laughter and excitement. MC Mr. William Perrault had put on his military hat for the day, and did an excellent job of keeping the teams organized and on their toes as they shifted from one game to the next.

We had an excellent judging crew. Elders from around the district volunteered their time and expertise to help out, especially with the translations. Once again, their invaluable experience bailed us out. Predictably, the different dialect of the various First Nations played a minor role in this days meet. What to do? What to do? It happens amoungst friends and acquittances and sometimes in business, like today, when the pronunciation of one term, is a little different from someone else’s way of expressing the same term, hence a little foul up.

Seven Generations Education Institute has always supported and encouraged the learning and relearning of the Ojibwe language, and today proved to be no exception. All in all, it was a fun day. Congratulations to all the students.

Gagwegakendamaawiziwin Team Results 2006

Division I Junior

1st Honours Lac La Croix School

2nd Honours Mikinaak Onigamiing

3rd Honours Crossroads School

Division II Senior

1st Honours Lac La Croix School

2nd Honours Cross Roads School

3rd Honours St. Francis School

A Job Well Done Everyone! You see you next year!

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