First Nations Sunday

On First Nations Sunday, we're pleased to be welcoming two Indigenous Elders, Vincent Pawis and Donna Longlade, of the Shawanaga First Nation.

There will be a traditional smudging, a teaching on the Medicine Wheel and a time for fellowship after the service.

For a more detailed description of the service, view our Bulletins section. 

Vincent Pawis

Vincent is an Elder from the Shawanaga First Nation. He has been awarded both the Order of Ontario and a Meritorious Service Medal by the Governor General of Canada for his decades of work with at-risk Aboriginal youth in counselling sessions, workshops, healing circles and sweat lodge ceremonies. He established a non-profit organization called the White Buffalo Road Healing Lodge for this purpose. Through the Lodge ,Vince and his staff provide Indigenous-led programming that instils pride and self-confidence in the community and promotes positive lifestyle changes through connection with cultural heritage. In accepting the Order of Ontario Vince stated, “This award is for all the individuals who we’ve helped in the process - this is not about me. The way I was taught, is we don’t look for recognition and acknowledgment. It’s about all the people over the last 25 years who I have been able to assist in their recovery.”

Donna Longlade

Donna is an Elder in the Shawanaga First Nation and works along side her partner Vince Pawis at the White Buffalo Healing Lodge where she runs Indigenous Circle Hearings.