GONRAH DESGOHWAH White Pine Dancers present traditional native dances, while explaining the origin of the dance, at Dufferin County Museum and Archives last Sunday. Photo/WES KELLER Although attendance figures weren't immediately available, officials of Dufferin County Museum and Archives say last weekend's array of aboriginal activities, workshops and displays was successful despite the inclement weather.

Ruby Qureshi said Sunday afternoon it was difficult to judge attendance as events were so varied that people had been coming with specific interests and, in many cases, leaving to say they'd be back for some other specific thing.

At 3 p.m. Sunday, it appeared successful. There would have been the maximum class of 20 at Aaron Bell's dream catcher workshop, all of whom would have learned the tradition of catching dreams while weaving their own catchers.

Of more political importance to non-natives, perhaps, was the next workshop: the making of tworow bracelets. (The significance of two rows was outlined in unrelated stories in this newspaper recently.)

Indicative of the interest in aboriginal customs, there was a full house for Tiffy Johnston's telling of the legends of animals - "co-tenants upon this earth" - and the aboriginal thanksgiving to the Creator for providing the bounties of the sea and earth, and of giving thanks to the fish or other being for giving "their lives so that we might see another day."

Ms. Johnston, of Ojibway bloodlines, had prepared

an authentically aboriginal chowder of fish and venison, which she made available at no charge, saying her ample repayment was seeing others enjoy it.

It was time for Mr. Bell to bring on his Gonrah Desgohwah White Pine Dancers, to educate and entertain as many as chairs had been provided for. The full-regalia dancing was enjoyable, and the explanation of how the dances originated was enlightening.

The museum show continues this weekend, Oct. 7, 8 and 9, and again on Oct. 14 and 15.

This Saturday and Sunday features Survival in the Bush, along with a moccasin workshop, a pouch/bracelet making for kids, and a beaded strawberry workshop with First Nations artisan Naomi Smith.

There'll be a native campground set up outside the museum, along with a replica Courier de Bois north canoe.

Thanksgiving Day, Oct. 9, will be given to 11,000 years of the region's history.

This begins with a 1 p.m. presentation by Cathy Crinnion of the Toronto and Region Conservation's Archaeological unit.

Later in the day, at 4 p.m., Chief Kris Nahrgang of the Kawartha Nishnawbe First Nation will trace the history of natives in the region. The chief is an archaeologist and stone carver.

As a follow-up to the archaeological day, there'll be an archaeological dig in Orangeville.

More detail on this would be available at the museum, but if you find an artifact, you'll be able to have it identified at the Old Downtown Gallery in Orangeville.

At the museum itself on the 14th, there'll be fur trading and muzzle-loading displays, along with a "living history" display on the museum grounds.

Sunday, Oct. 15, from 2 to 3:30 p.m.,there's a reenactment of the life of Grey Owl, followed by a drum circle of songs and dance.

At 5 p.m. that same day, it all ends in a "sundown ceremony" performed by Jim Wellheiser, Ongwehoway group elder.