Saturday, September 28th was a great day! It was the day of my naming ceremony. The weather was near perfect. About 50 or so friends and family came out to help me celebrate my "better day". Four of my community members decided to join me by receiving their new names on my day. I considered this to be an honour for me to have them join in.

From Saturday on, my new name within my community will be Kas Tchay Pah No Ho Muskwa or "Big Bear Running". My brother Art is now to be known as "Grey Wolf", my Vice-Chief, Roger Kent will be known as "Laughing Waters". My niece, Susan is to be known as "Walks with Animals" and my grandson William will be known as "Laughing Wolf".

Each name was decided upon by the individual based upon what he or she felt was right.

The Grand Chief of AWMAT,  and our Clan Mother performed the rituals. The "Circle of Friends" drummed for us and presented both Art and me with the greatest honour we could hope for, an Eagle feather. This was such an honour that I was quite choked up and virtually speechless (for me, that is a major thing).

Five of my co-worker friends and some of their family came up from Toronto to share my day. Friends from near and far came. I was honoured by the presence of the Hon. Tony Clement, President of the Treasury Board of Canada, Patrick Brown, MP for Barrie and Rid Jackson, MPP for Barrie. I was presented with a lovely certificate of congratulations from Patrick Brown.

A film crew attended, brought up by my friend Roger Nair, owner of Roger Nair Productions and Lionheart Productions. It's Roger's intent to produce a documentary about Canada's native peoples and he hopes to use this event as the center point of the documentary.

The event was a huge success on many fronts however, none of this could ever have happened if it were not for the love and support of my beautiful non aboriginal wife, Sandra. Sandra worked so hard to ensure my guests were comfortable and fed. She worked selflessly to make sure my day went well. I thank the Creator that he has seen fit to provide me such a wonderful wife and I thank that wonderful wife for all she has done and continues to do. I love her so much.