Page 33 - Beausoleil First Nation

Our Stories

Little Christmas

by Alison Bradshaw
I

remember the first year I went to the Little Christmas
celebration with my son, who was four at the time. I had
spoken to our good friends to ask if Larry would give my son
a First Nations name on that day. He had agreed, so as we
walked to the hall for the feast, I was excited to hear what his
name would be.

When we arrived at the hall, it was already full of people. I
waved to my friends, and then got in line for some supper. The
tables were filled with all sorts of good food—everything from
fish to caribou to blueberry pies!
We got our food and found a seat, just as the drummers got
up to sing. They sang and drummed right through the rest of
supper, when the Chief got up and welcomed everyone to the
hall. After he spoke, the Elders who were to give out the names
came to the stage. One by one, they called up the children they
were to name and spoke about the name that had come to
them for that very special person.

Finally, it was my son’s turn. He walked up to the stage, a little
unsure of himself, and stood before our friend, who was to give
him his name. When Larry spoke, he talked about all that had
happened to my son from the day of his birth and all that he
was able to accomplish. For that reason, he said my son was
strong, and gave him the Ojibway name Waumetik, meaning
“heart of an oak.” Everyone applauded, and I stood up to take a
picture of my son as he stood with the Elder who had given him
his name.

Beausoleil First Nation 31

ogemawahj_community_book2.indd 31 2019-02-27 10:33 AM