William Commanda

Created for The Real Boss - by @Karen Bisson!

Thank you for recirculating this Karen Bisson. Great articles included. I am remembering also when you developed the four Medicine Wheel posters for us in November 2003 - we should post those up some day too! PS Folk will be interested to know that Karen also did the graphic design for our book, Learning from a Kindergarten Dropout - which I produced to support Grandfather Commanda's entirely unfunded Circle of All Nations work, and she promotes these (and our CAN UNITees) for us at Turtle Lodge Trading Post. Check it out for the holiday season!

My photos and memories of Elder William Commanda and our visits with Algonquin communities across N. Quebec - I wonder what these kids are doing today? These are from about 20 years ago and Grandfather worked so tirelessly, though sick and struggling with kidney disease and dialysis - till age 98 - for these children and others - WHAT a betrayal of the vision and work - and now we have COVID - Anyway, I mentioned that very cap during our November 11 birthday Live VIdeo Event ...- they gave it to him when he whet to visit the young Algonquins digging for their ancestors at Lac Lemay archaelogica site - where we now have a casino on their bones. And it was Elder Joe Wabie who invited Grandfather to Ville Marie and Temiscaming to talk about the Wampum heritage of the Algonquins. Did you know that the earliest known holder of the Wampum Belts was William Commanda's own great great grandfather Pakinawatik? And did you know you know that they called Highway 317 the Gabriel Commanda trail - that was William's heritage through his father's father; and the Wampum, via his father's mother. I wonder if anyone knows the young lady in the red jacket - she was a leadership voice even at that young age and I hope things went well for her. I am so sorry we were not able to deliver the healing vision of the Sacred Chaudiere Site - As William Commanda said in Kevin Chief's song Miskojonia, 500 years - its a long time. See more

Thanks for all the incredible leadership and inspiration, Grandfather William Commanda. You drew together a HUGE diversity of people, and made us believe GINAWAYDAGANUC - that everything is inter-related! OJIGKWANONG, MORNING STAR, was born on Nov 11, 1913, on the eve of the First World War, and for many, became a beacon of light in an ever-darkening world. Today, perhaps more than ever, we need his wisdom to navigate the unprecedented challenges and perils of our times - may we all be "Good Enough for Two"! JOIN US For his 107th facebook online live video Birthday Get-Together at 1 pm today!

JOIN US on November 11 at 1 pm to CELEBRATE Grandfather WIlliam Commanda's life, work and legacy!! COME SHARE YOUR STORIES AND PHOTOS on Circle of All Nations Facebook Page - Its through us that he remains ENCORE VIVANT!! We hope the technology works to just let you share as you fancy - but if you want to make sure you can video chat, MESSAGE US!