On July 16th, 2021, JCAM President (Kelly Kaita), Past President (Ken Teramura), Secretary (Yuhito Adachi), and missing (Lisa Kaita), had the honour of meeting with and participating in a traditional drum circle ceremony at the Aboriginal Health and Wellness Centre of Winnipeg. For First Nations Peoples, the drum represents the universal heartbeat of Mother Earth, the Universal goddess and mother to us all. The first sound that was heard in the world was the heartbeat of Mother Earth. First Nations Peoples manifest this heartbeat through playing a special rhythm on the drum. During this ceremony we presented to them a Senbazuru (1000 paper cranes) as a symbol of our memberships support of the “Every Child Matters” movement and the Truth and Reconciliations efforts. In the tradition of gift giving JCAM received a beautiful picture entitled “215” by artist Betty Albert aka Wabemeguil.
Kelly Kaita (JCAM President) and Della Herrera (Director, Aboriginal Health and Wellness Centre of Winnipeg)
“215” by Betty Albert (Wabimeguil) – inspired by the 215 children found at the former Residential School in Kamloops. The 215 stars are for these children.