Cree Nation chief gives special X’mas gift to Filipinos in Ontario city
Missanabie Cree First Nation Chief Paul Gauthier attended the Filipino community Christmas party in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario and announced that he will send a gift donation for a flag pole so that the Philippine flag can be raised at a city landmark. SCREENGRAB
SAULT STE. MARIE, Ontario – A special Christmas gift is being sent by the Missanabie Cree First Nation to the Filipino community of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada.
Jason Gauthier, Missanabie Cree First Nation chief, a guest at the 8th Annual Filipino Canadian Christmas Party at the Marconi Multicultural Event Centre, announced the First Nation is donating $1,000 toward the raising of the Philippine flag among those of many other nations outside the Sault’s Civic Centre.
“Missanabie Cree will make sure the flag goes up… we’ll make sure that happens,” Gauthier said to a round of applause.
Roberto Rivera, of the Filipino Canadian Community of Sault Ste. Marie and organizer of Sunday’s party, told SooToday that he estimates it will cost at least $2,000 to have a flagpole erected for the flag of the Philippines at the Civic Centre site. He added that he and his community have desired to see the Philippines flag flying at the Civic Centre for some time.
Rivera, a hospital worker and Sault Ste. Marie for 15 years, said there are over 100 people living in Sault Ste. Marie who come from the Philippines or are of Filipino descent. The Christmas party, attended by over 150 people, was open to all cultures to enjoy and included music, traditional Filipino singing and dancing along with Filipino food.
