Aboriginal - Girls Action Foundation

Wasuaksing First Nation Swing Bridge – June
2010 (photo)
26 Eva Rose Tabobondung
By Eva Rose Tabobondung
- Anishnabek Nation – 28 Years of Age
The photo to the left is a snap shot from
last summer June 2010 as I was leaving
Wasauksing heading back to Toronto after my
birthday at the family house. At that moment
I was remembering that I was another year
older, brighter, stronger. My mother was in the
passenger seat in front of me and I behind her
looking out the window as we crossed that
bridge together one more time.
This photo is facing southwest and the sun is a
few hours from setting on Georgian Bay, one of
my many favorite places on earth. On days like
this the sunshine is so bright, reflects off the water it feels unreal because of the beauty
that surrounds.
Many women pass by, under, over, above this bridge on a daily basis to school, shopping,
traveling, home visits, sight seeing, picking berries, fishing, (you can buy your fishing
permits at the bridge), hunting, going to bingo, visiting their friends and many other
reasons. They may be flying, walking, running, driving a snowmobile, motorcycle,
(no ATVs, the sign says before you cross the bridge) they might be riding a bicycle,
swimming, floating, or simply staying on either side of the bridge wondering what the
other side is up to. (It is private property and you should be invited in or be with friends
who live there) It is a swing bridge that used to be a train bridge; the tracks were taken
out, and continue to swing for larger boats today. (Just so you know, if you’re on the
other side you’re on the First Nation)
I admire the young generations that are coming up and passing over this bridge because
they have a strong chance to make a difference in our world, a brighter future for them.