Henvey Inlet First Nation Dodems
Henvey Inlet First Nation Dodems

The Anishinabek Creation Story

There is more than one creation story for Indigenous Peoples around North America, including more than one story for each nation. Not to say any of one the stories is the ‘right’ one, they are versions adapted by the people in different parts of the land. The Creation story we have chosen to adapt, comes from Darlene Johnston, an Anishinabekwe, who is a Professor of Law at the University of Toronto, in a report she prepared for the Ipperwash Commission of Inquiry; “Connecting People to Place: Great Lakes Aboriginal History in Cultural Context”.

Other creation stories are similar to the one recounted by Dr. Johnston. Most elements are similar to a version by Anishinabek scholar and author Basil Johnston, of Cape Croker. For example, a flood and  a grain of sand are a common thread, along with Muskrat being the successful diver of that grain of sand. The difference in Basil Johnston’s story, is in the beginning, a pregnant Sky Woman lands on Giant Turtle’s back, and rubs the rim of Turtle’s back with the grain of sand from Muskrat, creating ‘Turtle Island’ or what is now, North America, where she gives birth to twins - the Anishnaubaek.

A Starting Point for Our Creation Story – French River and Henvey Inlet First Nations

The birds, animals and fish were created before human beings. Human beings were created after the big flood. While the earth was flooded, the land animals floated upon a large wooden raft. The leader, the Great Hare “Michabous”, knew there was land somewhere under the water, and the animals needed it if they were to survive. Michabous asks many animals to dive into the water to bring up only a little soil. He promises that if he can get but a small grain, he will be able to make enough land to support all the animals.

First, Beaver is asked to dive for the sand, after a long time, he comes up empty-handed. Next is, Otter is called upon. Otter is also unsuccessful. Finally, Muskrat volunteers to dive down for sand. Since Beaver and Otter are strong and failed, the other animals don’t have much faith in Muskrat.

Muskrat dives, and stays under water for a whole day, and finally shows up at the edge of the raft, nearly drowned. The animals pull him onto the raft, and open all his tightly closed paws. In the last paw they find a grain of sand.

Good to his promise, Michabous, took the grain of sand, and let it fall on the raft, where it grew in size.

Once it began to grow, the Great Hare took more grains from there, and scattered them about, which caused the mass of soil to grow larger and larger. It grew to the size of a mountain, and Michabous walked around it to enlarge it still. When he thought it large enough, he sent Wagosh (Fox) to inspect the work, with power to enlarge it more, Wagosh obeyed, and found the place was large enough for him to hunt his own prey, and told Michabous the place was large enough for all the animals. Upon hearing this, the Great Hare toured his own creation and found it incomplete, and since then he hasn’t been able to trust any of the other animals, and to this day he continues to increase what he’s made and is on constant move around the earth.

After Michabous’ creation of the earth, the other animals found places most favoured by them for pasture or hunting prey. When the first ones died, Michabous caused the birth of men from their carcasses. Appropriately, those early men, derived their origins from a bear, others from a moose and still others from various animals.

Our Clans and historical connections to the land and each other is revealed in the study of the Clan system, and the threads it weaves through our Band and families to this day .

Announcements

Survey Link For Remote Learning

Near North District School Board Logo

Survey Link For Remote Learning

Parents/Guardians,

You will have already received an email from the Near North District School Board today advising parents about the preparation of a backup plan for remote learning for Grade 9-12 students of Parry Sound High School.

Read more

Subject Back-to-School Update Timetables Schedule Changes September 2 Start

Near North District School Board Logo

Subject: Back-to-School Update – Timetables, Schedule Changes & September 2 Start

Dear Parents and Guardians,

As we count down to the start of the school year on September 2, I’d like to share a few important updates to help you, and your child feel prepared and informed.

📋 Student Timetables – Still in Progress

Read more

Contract Opportunity- School Bus Monitor

Henvey Inlet First Nation Elementary School Bus Driver

Contract Opportunity- School Bus Monitor

CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

Henvey Inlet First Nation Education Department is currently seeking a part-time contractor to provide School Bus Monitor services for the 2025-26 academic year. School Bus Monitors of Henvey Inlet First Nation are required to uphold the core values of safety, service and respect at all times. The primary responsibility of the Bus Monitor is to ensure the students’ behaviours and actions are not a distraction to the Bus Driver, by enforcing the rules of the bus as defined by Henvey Inlet First Nation. The School Bus Monitor will also be required to record student attendance on a daily basis. This person requires excellent interpersonal communication skills and a positive attitude.

Read more

Contract Opportunity- Meals on Wheels Coordinator

Henvey Inlet First Nation Logo - The Henvey Inlet First Nation Child and Family Wellbeing Project

Contract Opportunity- Meals on Wheels Coordinator

CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

Henvey Inlet First Nation is currently seeking a part-time contractor to provide Meals on Wheels services in the community two days per week. The Meals on Wheels Coordinator will work collaboratively with the Health Director and be responsible to prepare and deliver nutritious meals to Henvey Inlet First Nation MOW clients on specified routes. This person requires excellent customer service skills, a high level of personal integrity and strong attention to detail.

Read more

NNDSB Update on Parry Sound JK-12 School Construction

 

Henvey Inlet First Nation Elementary School Bus Driver

NNDSB Update on Parry Sound JK-12

School Construction

Press release dated August 13, 2025.

Near North District School Board is sharing an important update with valued First Nation Partners regarding the construction of the new JK-12 school in Parry Sound.

Read more

Henvey Inlet First Nation Energy Project Community Benefits Video

Henvey Inlet First Nation Logo Mobile

Henvey Inlet First Nation Energy Project Community Benefits Video

Use the media player embedded below to watch the video.

Read more

August 2025

August 2025 Newsletter

Here's your copy of August's newsletter: August 2025august2023picture

  • Offices will be closed on August 4, 2025
  • Employment Opportunities
  • Counselling Services for Band Members
  • Go Forward Community Info Session Regarding RHT
  • Ontario Works notices
  • Food Bank Notice
  • RHT Trust Logo Contest
  • Youth Career Fair
  • Student Canadas Wonderland Trip
  • Back 2 School Bingo for School Aged Children
  • Diabetic Lunch N Learn
  • NIHB Program Updates

and more!

Please download and read the newsletter for more information.

Read more

Mental Health Worker - REPOST

Henvey Inlet First Nation Mental Health Worker

Mental Health Worker

*Re-Post*

Henvey Inlet First Nation is seeking a full-time Mental Health Worker to join our Administration. The Mental Health Worker reports to the Health Director and is responsible for providing mental health services and coping strategies for adult individuals suffering from a wide range of emotional and mental health disorders in both individual and group settings. The Mental Health Worker works with clients to promote optimum mental and emotional health and wellness and support spiritual healing. This position requires exceptional interpersonal communication and listening skills and a high-degree of discretion and professionalism.

Read more

Robinson Huron Treaty Litigation Fund Go Forward Community Information Sessions

Robinson Huron Treaty Litigation Fund Logo

Robinson Huron Treaty Litigation Fund

Go Forward Community Information Sessions

Learn more about the ongoing priorities of the Robinson Huron Treaty Litigation Fund (RHTLF), including updates on current litigation, current issues and the Go Forward Annuity Clause/Augmentation Process.

Read more

Student Canadas Wonderland Trip Wednesday August 20, 2025

Henvey Inlet First Nation Student Canada's Wonderland Trip Wednesday August 20, 2025

Student Canada's Wonderland Trip

Wednesday, August 20, 2025

Deadline to sign up is August 8, 2025, by 10:00am!!

Read more

Henvey Inlet First Nation Robinson Huron Treaty Trust Logo Contest

Henvey Inlet First Nation - PCD Logo contest 2025

Help us create an extraordinary logo for Henvey Inlet First Nation PCD RHT Trust!

This logo will be the face of the PCD RHT Trust.

Henvey Inlet First Nation - PCD Logo contest 2025 Prizes

Read more

General Membership Meeting July 21st 2025 6PM

Henvey Inlet First Nation Dark Logo

HENVEY INLET FIRST NATION

General Members Meeting

July 21st 2025, 6PM

Attend in-person, by computer or by telephone

Read more

Announcements

Survey Link For Remote Learning

Near North District School Board Logo

Survey Link For Remote Learning

Parents/Guardians,

You will have already received an email from the Near North District School Board today advising parents about the preparation of a backup plan for remote learning for Grade 9-12 students of Parry Sound High School.

Read more

Subject Back-to-School Update Timetables Schedule Changes September 2 Start

Near North District School Board Logo

Subject: Back-to-School Update – Timetables, Schedule Changes & September 2 Start

Dear Parents and Guardians,

As we count down to the start of the school year on September 2, I’d like to share a few important updates to help you, and your child feel prepared and informed.

📋 Student Timetables – Still in Progress

Read more

Contract Opportunity- School Bus Monitor

Henvey Inlet First Nation Elementary School Bus Driver

Contract Opportunity- School Bus Monitor

CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

Henvey Inlet First Nation Education Department is currently seeking a part-time contractor to provide School Bus Monitor services for the 2025-26 academic year. School Bus Monitors of Henvey Inlet First Nation are required to uphold the core values of safety, service and respect at all times. The primary responsibility of the Bus Monitor is to ensure the students’ behaviours and actions are not a distraction to the Bus Driver, by enforcing the rules of the bus as defined by Henvey Inlet First Nation. The School Bus Monitor will also be required to record student attendance on a daily basis. This person requires excellent interpersonal communication skills and a positive attitude.

Read more

Contract Opportunity- Meals on Wheels Coordinator

Henvey Inlet First Nation Logo - The Henvey Inlet First Nation Child and Family Wellbeing Project

Contract Opportunity- Meals on Wheels Coordinator

CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS

Henvey Inlet First Nation is currently seeking a part-time contractor to provide Meals on Wheels services in the community two days per week. The Meals on Wheels Coordinator will work collaboratively with the Health Director and be responsible to prepare and deliver nutritious meals to Henvey Inlet First Nation MOW clients on specified routes. This person requires excellent customer service skills, a high level of personal integrity and strong attention to detail.

Read more

NNDSB Update on Parry Sound JK-12 School Construction

 

Henvey Inlet First Nation Elementary School Bus Driver

NNDSB Update on Parry Sound JK-12

School Construction

Press release dated August 13, 2025.

Near North District School Board is sharing an important update with valued First Nation Partners regarding the construction of the new JK-12 school in Parry Sound.

Read more

Henvey Inlet First Nation Energy Project Community Benefits Video

Henvey Inlet First Nation Logo Mobile

Henvey Inlet First Nation Energy Project Community Benefits Video

Use the media player embedded below to watch the video.

Read more

August 2025

August 2025 Newsletter

Here's your copy of August's newsletter: August 2025august2023picture

  • Offices will be closed on August 4, 2025
  • Employment Opportunities
  • Counselling Services for Band Members
  • Go Forward Community Info Session Regarding RHT
  • Ontario Works notices
  • Food Bank Notice
  • RHT Trust Logo Contest
  • Youth Career Fair
  • Student Canadas Wonderland Trip
  • Back 2 School Bingo for School Aged Children
  • Diabetic Lunch N Learn
  • NIHB Program Updates

and more!

Please download and read the newsletter for more information.

Read more

Mental Health Worker - REPOST

Henvey Inlet First Nation Mental Health Worker

Mental Health Worker

*Re-Post*

Henvey Inlet First Nation is seeking a full-time Mental Health Worker to join our Administration. The Mental Health Worker reports to the Health Director and is responsible for providing mental health services and coping strategies for adult individuals suffering from a wide range of emotional and mental health disorders in both individual and group settings. The Mental Health Worker works with clients to promote optimum mental and emotional health and wellness and support spiritual healing. This position requires exceptional interpersonal communication and listening skills and a high-degree of discretion and professionalism.

Read more

Robinson Huron Treaty Litigation Fund Go Forward Community Information Sessions

Robinson Huron Treaty Litigation Fund Logo

Robinson Huron Treaty Litigation Fund

Go Forward Community Information Sessions

Learn more about the ongoing priorities of the Robinson Huron Treaty Litigation Fund (RHTLF), including updates on current litigation, current issues and the Go Forward Annuity Clause/Augmentation Process.

Read more

Student Canadas Wonderland Trip Wednesday August 20, 2025

Henvey Inlet First Nation Student Canada's Wonderland Trip Wednesday August 20, 2025

Student Canada's Wonderland Trip

Wednesday, August 20, 2025

Deadline to sign up is August 8, 2025, by 10:00am!!

Read more

Henvey Inlet First Nation Robinson Huron Treaty Trust Logo Contest

Henvey Inlet First Nation - PCD Logo contest 2025

Help us create an extraordinary logo for Henvey Inlet First Nation PCD RHT Trust!

This logo will be the face of the PCD RHT Trust.

Henvey Inlet First Nation - PCD Logo contest 2025 Prizes

Read more

General Membership Meeting July 21st 2025 6PM

Henvey Inlet First Nation Dark Logo

HENVEY INLET FIRST NATION

General Members Meeting

July 21st 2025, 6PM

Attend in-person, by computer or by telephone

Read more

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