“The twelve sided tipi shaped Immaculate Conception Church, is the parish church of the native community of M’Chigeeng. This church recaptures the native tradition of ‘meeting fire pits’, where people gathered to talk, listen, and learn about the Great Spirit, Kitche Manitou.
The interior carvings are totems of the native people. The top lit tipi shaped building allows the community to gather around a central altar. The circular image is everywhere, representing the Creator and the circle of life. The natural wood interior, two thirds of which is below ground, signifies the closeness of the native community to Mother Earth.
Broad steps / seats descend to the central altar. High overhead is the Thunderbird, the messengerr of the Great Spirit Kitche Manitou. The baptismal font rests on the back of a sculpted wooden turtle, a reminder of the legend of creation, where the native community was reestablished following the great flood by a spirit woman sitting on the back of a turtle.
The walls feature the stations of the Cross, with the events of Good Friday painted by a local artist.”
Exploring Manitoulin by Shelley J Pearen