An 11-year-old Sturgeon Falls boy is on Manitoulin Island today for a couple of book launches including one about his Wampum Belt. Alex Hebert, who is a member of the Dokis First Nation and a student at Whitewoods Public School in Sturgeon Falls, helps launch the books at the Whitefish River First Nation. The event coincides with Treaties Recognition Week and includes Grand Council Chief Pat Madahbee and the Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation. Marci Becking of the Anishinabek News says the books have become popular very quickly as education tools about treaties and are being snapped up by teachers for their students. The author of both books is Kelly Crawford an educator who was just appointed the education director of the newly formed Anishinabek Education System and Don Chretien, of the Nipissing First Nation who lives in New Market, did the illustrations. Call the Union of Ontario Indians at 705-497-9127 or go online to www.anishinabek.ca to submit on order.
