This week is dedicated to the Eastern Newt (Notophthalmus viridescens)! Sometimes called the Red-spotted Newt, these amphibians are common at Murphys Point. They go through three life stages — larval, juvenile (when they are known as red eft), and adult. Individuals move from the water upon reaching the red eft stage, and back to the water once fully mature. Pictured here is an adult. It has dull, olive green skin with black-rimmed red spots that warn predators of toxins within its skin. Interestingly, Garter Snakes are immune to Eastern Newts’ lethal toxins. Their warning spots appear at the red eft stage and remain for the newt’s lifetime — close to ten years in the wild! These amphibians are carnivorous — they feed on a variety of insects and aquatic organisms that live in or near their wetland habitat. Like Salmon, Eastern Newts return to the same body of water where they were born to reproduce.
The following post is contributed by Friends of Murphys Point student Lazar Stevanovic.
This year, the Friends of Murphys Point Park was honoured to have Helena Neveu host a drum-making workshop series online and in the park. Helena, Walksfar Woman, Waasabiidaasome of the Batchewana First Nation, shared her wisdom for two virtual and two in-person sessions. Helena is a drum maker with 30 years of experience in the building of Indigenous drums. Helena’s drum-making story began when a woman named Norma would bring her to drum circles. Although she did not have very much experience drumming, one day, Norma told her, “I want you to have that drum.” Helena explained, “so I called [that drum] my Norma Norma drum and I loved it and I had it for years because after that, you know, you move and stuff like that and I didn’t see her after that. I had that drum.” Helena explained that every culture has storytelling and in Ojibwe Culture, the drum has a central role in storytelling. One such story is of the little boy drum who gained seven grandfather teachings. She went on to say that the drum has a spiritual significance as well. She explained that the beating of the drum signifies the beating of the heart of the animal used to make it. In this way, the animal lives on.
Making a drum starts with the procurement of the materials. For an Ojibwe drum, this means cedar and deer skin. Helena explained that cedar is heavily sought after for medicinal properties. “Cedar is a powerful medicine,” she explained. Ash may also be used in the drum hoops. At this workshop, however, the cedar was used along with deer skin. Procuring the deer skin was difficult due to the pandemic, she explained. They were procured all the way from Six Nations, which is six hours away.
The skins must be soaked to retain their elasticity. The soaked skins are used as the base of the drum. The drum hoops were prepared from cedar by Helena before the workshop. Participants each received a soaked deer skin and a cedar hoop prior to the workshop. The first step was to trace a circular section of the deer skin for cutting.
Once the holes were punched, the next step was to lace the drum. This was done by alternating and crossing over the lace between two people. The lace was put through all the holes and then tied off in the middle, using seven knots to symbolize the Seven Grandfather Teachings.
Following completion of the drum, participants were given the chance to create a rattle using cedar and excess deerskin. Participants could make a rattle into any shape they liked. Several made rattles resembling animals.
After this part of the drum-making workshop, Helena took the drums back with her to let them dry. Two weeks later, the drums were birthed at the birthing ceremony. Here, participants made drumsticks and finished off the rattles that had been started previously.
The birthing ceremony consisted of a drum circle where everyone unwrapped their drums and played songs with their new drums. Ceremonial tobacco was rubbed on the drums before playing. There was also a ceremonial fire to help birth the new drums.
Helena believes that the drum can be a tool for reconciliation. She went to a protest recently where the drum inspired raw emotion in all people and brought them together. We all experienced how drums can help bring people together. The Friends of Murphys Point Park would like to thank Helena for sharing her wisdom with all of us. Chi-Miigwech!
The following video is contributed by Friends of Murphys Point student Claire Alarcon-Belanger.
This week’s #SpeciesOfTheWeek is the Io Moth (Automeris io). This wide-ranging moth can be found from Costa Rica and up the eastern seaboard to southern Quebec. They are generalists that can adapt to a wide variety of habitats, including deciduous woodlands, meadows, forests, orchards, parks, and backyards. At Murphys Point, these moths typically emerge from their cocoons during June, with a bit of overlap into May and July. Adults live for 2 weeks and during this time, they look for mates and lay their eggs on host plants. Once hatched, the larvae eat continuously for a period of four weeks before pupating. The cocoons take 7-10 days to solidify, after which the pupae may emerge as fully-grown adults after a few weeks or, as is typical in northern latitudes such as Ontario, go into diapause for the winter. Adults vary in size, with a wingspan of 5-9 cm. These fascinating moths are known for eyespots on their hindwings. Whenever the moth feels threatened, they open their wings to reveal these eye spots – quite the deterrent to potential predators!
Welcome! Watch this space for upcoming activities.
PLEASE NOTE
All hiking trails are open, including the Silver Queen Mine trail; however, the mine itself is closed except when guided tours are running. Watch this space for information or visit the Murphys Point Facebook page or website for updates http://www.ontarioparks.com
For the latest information on COVID-19 precautions and available amenities at Murphys Point (services, facilities, attractions) during the 2021 season, be sure to check https://www.ontarioparks.com/park/murphyspoint.
