Thunderbird eggs returned to their 'nest' at Kettle and Stony Point First Nation
CBC
Two ancient stone spheres were returned to their home at Kettle and Stony Point First Nation on the shores of Lake Huron last Tuesday.
The boulders are called kettles because their shape and size is similar to a cooking pot and are found in the community about 220 kilometres southwest of Toronto.
They have cultural significance to the Anishinaabek. Knowledge keepers describe Kettle Point beach as the nesting place of the Thunderbird: powerful spirits that offer protection and bring healing rains to communities in exchange for safekeeping of their sacred places. The kettles are the eggs.
The point is believed to be the source of power that fades from the stones if they are removed.
Christy Bressette, member of Kettle and Stony Point and vice-provost for Indigenous initiatives at Western University in London, Ont., was integral in having the kettles that had been in the university's possession returned.
“Getting sacred items back home, beings such as the Thunderbird eggs, is critically important to the community and a really great place to start," said Bressette.
"Our work is not done."
Bressette said sharing Indigenous knowledge offers "sustainable solutions" and benefits everyone, not just Indigenous communities.
"This work is supporting a much larger endeavour where we not only reconcile with each other, but also reconcile with the earth,” she said.
The kettles were welcomed home with a pipe ceremony and an honour song.
Bernard George, who spoke during the rematriation ceremony, said it was an important day because the Thunderbird is sacred to the Anishnabek people. It's on their nation’s flag and in their stories and traditions.
He said elders told him growing up that the Thunderbird comes during storms to warn people to pay attention, and when the kettles crack, he said, their spirit is released.
Jordan George, Kettle and Stony Point's language revitalization and communications co-ordinator, was on the rematriation working group and said he felt "full" after they were given back.
"But I also know that this is the first step on the journey to repatriating and caring for the thousands of other stones that were taken from our shores," he said.
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