ONIGUM-”Our doors are always open for everyone,” said Tribal Chairman Faron Jackson at the 2023 Unity Day celebration.
The celebration held at Onigum community center brought together the city of Walker, the Leech Lake Cultural Alliance and the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe to promote unity amongst the community. This year’s event was the 4th annual celebration, following the holiday’s inception in 2019.
Both governments described the event as a “yearly celebration of joint efforts in promoting government to government relations, as well as successful partnerships throughout the counties.”
Tribal Chairman Faron Jackson who spoke to the crowd at the event emphasized the importance of keeping up the tradition of the yearly meeting.
“We all work here, we all play here, we all live here—it’s good for us to meet like this. This is how we celebrate our collaboration and look toward the future,” said Jackson.
Rod Northbird played hand drum, Gary Charwood was spiritual advisor, and introduced community members to the importance of the cultural components the band included at the event; prayers, drum, smudging.
Alongside the cultural information, attendees were treated to a potluck dinner, and a raffle of home goods.