Steve Tooshkenig says as many as 3000 people are expected to attend the Potawatomi Gathering over the next four days.
“It’s really for the Potawatomi tribe, if you’re out visiting our community and want to see what’s going on you’re more than welcome to say hello, you’re welcome to and we always welcome people to our territory and we light that fire and welcome them,” says Tooshkenig. “Then when they leave we’ll do the same kind of process, make sure every body gets here safely and say our prayers and when they leave we give them that travelling song.”
A number of activities are taking place, including a golf tournament, drum ceremonies and a language and history conference.
Everything wraps up on Saturday night with the passing of ashes.
This is the first time Walpole Island has played host to the gathering since 2008.