Things to do on Manitoulin Island

Theatre

De-ba-jeh-mu-jig Theatre Group (www.debaj.ca) Based in Wikwemikong, De-ba-jeh-mu-jig Theatre Group – known to friends and patrons as simply “Debaj” is Canada’s oldest touring Aboriginal theatre company. Founded in 1984 by Sundance Institute alumnus and award-winning filmmaker Shirley Cheechoo, De-ba-jeh-mu-jig which means “storytellers” has provided a forum for storytelling from an Aboriginal perspective. Over the years, Debaj has cultivated a number of emerging Aboriginal playwrights, such as Tomson Highway and Drew Hayden Taylor, and provided a stage with which to tell their stories – stories that were performed by Aboriginal youth for Aboriginal youth.

Each summer Debaj offers a mainstage production at the historic Mission Ruins in Wikwemikong from late July through mid-August. De-ba-jeh-mu-jig has opened their Summer Matinee Production of The Descending Star and Thunderers and Water Monsters at the Debajehmujig Creation Centre in Manitowaning at 2:00 p.m. Admission: $20 Adults $15 Students/Elders $10 Youth 9 – 12 years $ 5 Children 8 and under

Shopping

Take a look at local artists Art Galleries around Manitoulin Island and take a look at the unique crafts, and prints they have to offer.

Bebaminojmat Leland Bell Art gallery 206 Eshkibok Road Wikwemikong, Ontario, Canada P0P 2J0 Phone: (705) 525-4076 Gallery Open: June to September Lillian’s Indian Crafts Highway 540 M’Chigeeng, Ontario, canada P0P 1G0 Phone: (705)377-4987 GPS Coordinates: 17 T 410072 5075458 My Ol’ Blues 7 Phipps Street Gore Bay , Ontario, canada P0P 1H0 Phone: 1-800-230-6545 Ojibwe Cultural Foundation (www.ojibweculture.ca) P.O. Box 278 M’Chigeeng First Nation, Ontario, Canada, P0P 1J0 Phone: (705) 377- 4902 Fax: (705) 377 – 5460 GPS Coordinates: 17 T 409781 5075464 Neon Raven Art Gallery 53 Corbiere Road M’Chigeeng, Ontario, Canada P0P 1G0 Serpent River Trading Post, Gas & Convenience P.O. Box 13 Serpent River First Nation Cutler, Ontario, Canada, P0P 1B0 BUS TOURS WELCOME! Trading Post Contact Information: Phone: (705) 844-2864 Fax: (705) 844-1219 Gas & Convenience Contact Information: Phone: (705) 844-2500 Fax: (705) 844-1139 Zaawmiknaang 912 Wikwemikong Way Wikwemikong, Ontario P0P 2J0

Museums

Ojibwe Cultural Foundation Since 1974, the Ojibwe Cultural Foundation has been preserving and promoting the language, arts, crafts and customs of the Anishnaabe (Ojibwe, Odawa and Pottawatomi peoples) of the region. This 11,000 sq. ft. facility features a teaching lodge, museum, featured art from Manitoulin and other Aboriginal artists and a regular program of cultural workshops as well as daily dance performances throughout the summer. New for 2006 is the outdoor covered amphitheatre, artists market and indoor multimedia “theatre in the round”. #15,Hwy 551 P.O. Box 278 M’Chigeeng, Ontario P0P 1GO Tel: (705) 377-4902 Fax: (705) 377-5460 www.ojibweculture.ca Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday, 9 am to 4 pm Lillian’s Porcupine Quill Basket Museum The age old tradition of porcupine quill and birch bark basketry is lovingly displayed in this new museum which also features, pottery, beadwork, antler carvings, and art from Manitoulin’s renowned Aboriginal artists and artisans. With a collection of over 400 baskets and boxes on display, it is worth a visit. 5950 Hwy 540 M’Chigeeng Ontario Tel: (705) 377-4987 Fax: (705) 377-4050 Hours of operation: Monday – Friday, 10 am to 6 pm, Saturday & Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm

Fishing

Experience seasonal gill netting for whitefish on the “big water” (fall) or under the ice (winter) using traditional methods. Enjoy a fish fry, learn how to smoke fish and, in the spring, make maple syrup. Andrew “Stitch” Manitowabi P.O. Box 892 Massey, Ontario P0P 1P0 Cell: (705) 863-1863 Email: stitchman@vianet.ca

Geo-caching

GSCT Geo-caching is an entertaining outdoor adventure where you use your GPS or map, to search for hidden containers, called caches. Each cache has small prizes that you can swap for should you wish to take one. GSCT Geo-caches are being placed through out the region for you to find and enjoy with your family and other geocachers from around the world. Cordinates for caches can be found below.

Aundeck Omni Kaning AOK Powwow Grounds 17 T 422231 5091240 M’Chigeeng Immaculate Conception Church 17 T 409894 5075372 M’Chigeeng Powwow Grounds 17 T 410191 5073934 Sagomok Caches will be listed soon. Sheguiandah AOK Powwow Grounds 17 T 422231 5091240 Wikwemikong Caches will be listed soon. Whitefish River Rosevelt Monument 17 T 440249 5101944 Sheshegwaning Caches will be listed soon. Zhiibaahaasing Caches will be listed soon.