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Sudbury Star Article, July 16th, 2005
Bannock Making – Manitoulin Style

Flour, salt, water, baking powder – each on their own are such simple ingredients. Mixed and fresh from the oven however, they become warm and wondrous bread, invoking images of sunny kitchens and motherly and grandmotherly hands. Bread is truly an example of the whole being greater than the sum of its parts.

"One's daily bread" is one of the universal traditions that cultures the world over share. Whether it be the famous pitas and flatbreads of the middle east, the baguette of France or the tortilla of Mexico and Latin countries, the ingredients, the flavourings, the secrets of its preparation are passed down lovingly from generation to generation.

On Manitoulin, amongst the First Nations communities, Osawamick's of Wikwemikong are renowned for their "scone" or frybread – fluffy, golden bread that literally melts in your mouth. Top it with seasoned ground beef, chilli sauce, cheese, crispy lettuce and tomatoes and you have their famous "Indian Taco" or for the sweet tooth, try it with strawberries or blueberries and whipped topping for the equally famous "Powwow Shortcake". Osawamick's food concession on the powwow trail bills itself as "Your Finer Powwow Diner" and it is true as evidenced by the lineups frequented by powwow regulars and tourists alike.

But for the purist, the real bannock is not the light confection fried up quickly for the powwow crowd but rather, a simpler bread baked old style over an open fire. Our elders on their travels by canoe or on foot would not have had the luxury of too many utensils, cooking oil and ingredients. Of necessity, this bread would have been baked in a cast iron pan over a low fire or wrapped around a stick. But the outcome is still one of life's simpler pleasures. A soft bread warm from the fire to enjoy your fish or berries with.

Martina Osawamick hails from the same family of renowned cooks, craftspeople and teachers. An instructor of the Anishnaabemowin language at Laurentian University, she herself is a business owner with many years of experience. Martina and her son Rob Fox recently celebrated the grand opening of Zaawmiknaang's their new retail craft store and outdoor eatery in Wikwemikong, appropriately on National Aboriginal Day, June 21st. Zaawmiknaang's which translates at " beaver's place" is in deference to her family's clan which is the beaver and is appropriate as Osawamick's are known as industrious and hardworking business people. As part of their business identity, from their logo, to their signage to the various décor elements within the store, beavers factor prominently.

Osawamicks in Wikwemikong are a large and multi-talented family – known not only for their food and traditional cooking but their business acumen, craftwork and most especially their promotion of the Anishnaabemowin (Ojibwe/Odawa) language.

Martina recalls lovingly, her great grandmother, Midaaso-bines ("ten feathers") who put great stock in visiting and spending time with family and friends. Midaaso-bines would make frequent visits to her home community of Magnetawan. She was very resourceful and would travel with a small sack containing all the simple necessities for a fresh baked bannock - A tablecloth, mixing bowl, spoon, pan, some flour, salt and baking powder. On a moment's notice, with practiced ease, she would have a small fire ready and the bread mixed and into the pan. A short time later, the bread would be ready to be shared with tea and friends.

In honour of her auntie, this summer at Zaawmiknaang's, Martina will recreate this particular method of bannock making and flavour it with commentary all in the Ojibwe/Odawa language. Her son Rob will be on hand to interpret and sprinkle in a few jokes of his own.

Zaawmiknaang's eatery and craft shop is a well known stop frequented by locals and visitors to the community alike. As part of the summer schedule of cultural activities being promoted by The Great Spirit Circle Trail, Martina and Rob will host this special hands on bannock cooking demonstrations at their business located at 912 Wikwemikong Way every Tuesday in July and August from 1:30 pm to 4:00 pm. Visitors are welcome! Contact The Great Spirit Circle Trail office at 1-877-710-3211 for tickets and information.

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