News

On June 19, 2020 Ogichidaa Francis Kavanaugh shaved his COVID-19 pandemic locks in support of the Kenora Fellowship Centre. The Fellowship Centre seeks to love, feed, care, guide, and clothe those in need in the Kenora area. The event was live streamed on Facebook and by the time donations were closed on June 23 the cause had garnered $11,809.96 in donations via GoFundMe, exceeding the original $10,000 goal.

Ogichidaa Kavanaugh also announced during the livestream that he went under the clippers in solidarity with cancer patients and survivors, stating that as a patient himself he was lucky that his treatments have not resulted in the loss of his hair. The Ogichidaa stated that his doctors remain pleased with his progress and he is quickly returning to good health.

Following the event, Ogichidaa Kavanaugh stated, “Even through these difficult times people are still so kind and generous! When I went several months without a haircut and when the idea of a fundraising campaign came to mind, I immediately thought of the homeless. So much of our work is connected to homelessness and COVID-19 has impacted the homeless more than any other group. So I thought that was a good place to start.”

Homelessness is a struggle faced by many citizens of the Anishinaabe Nation in Treaty #3. Grand Council Treaty #3 is currently advocating for a homelessness strategy in Treaty #3 and calls upon both federal and provincial governments to collaborate wherever possible with First Nation and municipal governments to address the growing trend of homeless in Northwestern Ontario and across the Ontario North.

The Ogichidaa and Grand Council Treaty #3 invites others to shed their COVID-19 hair in support of causes throughout the region that benefit those that have been impacted by the pandemic.

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For more information:
Dan Morriseau
Political Advisor
Grand Council Treaty #3
PO Box 1720, Kenora, ON P9N 3X7
Phone: (807) 464-2647
Website: www.gct3.ca