The Georgina Island Storytelling Project

Our stories celebrate our heritage and identity as Chippewa people. They preserve and teach our Indigenous ways of knowing and knowledge for the future generations of Georgina Island. In the tradition of oral history over generations, our youth - in their turn - will carry on this legacy to protect and share our proud history and who we are as the Chippewas of Georgina Island.

Getting Your Own Medicine

I remember a long time ago when I was a young boy, when I started getting a little bad, my late grandmother, Mabel York, used to send me to go and get a red willow switch for punishment. So, trying to be a good boy, I would go out and try to find the best looking one. I would bring it back to her and ask her if it was ok. She would say, ‘Yes”, then she proceeded to tap you on your butt or the back of your legs. I tell you she never hit you hard, but it sure made you jump every time she tapped you with it.

“I tell you she never hit you hard, but it sure made you jump every time she tapped you with it.”

Now, all this time later, I think about it and chuckle because I ask myself why did I have to go and get my own medicine? Well, I guess if I didn’t listen to her, then it might have been worse and it also probably means I didn’t respect her by not listening to her. So I guess you could say I didn’t turn out so bad. When I mention this to my Aunt Fran and Uncle Don, we sure have a good laugh. She was a great Lady.

Explore Other Stories

Comments are closed.