A story was told of a Young Seneca girl named, Lelawala who was paddling her canoe near present day Niagara Falls. She was swept over the falls, Then “Hinum” the Thunder God caught and rescued her. While talking by the moving river, this Young Girl and Hinum talked. During the conversation she discussed a great monster snake living in the river. Hinum showing great compassion told the Young Girl how to fight and destroy the monster. Lelawala thanked Hinum and went back to her people and told them how to slay the monster. Lelawala and her people went to battle with the great snake monster and the victory was theirs. Two things remind us of this battle and day; one is that in the exact place of this battle is where we see the great Niagara Falls of today. Next, Lelawala from that day onwards was known as “The Maid of the Mist”. What Region 9 has taken from this story is sometimes we “mere people” must band together to slay the monsters of this world. Region 9 has learned that not all monsters shed their skins and have fangs. But we must use our mouths and words to do battle with these present day monsters. This is exactly what OCIP has learned from Region 9. Perhaps one day years from now these Region 9 members and others who follow their examples will be honoured with a name like “The Maid of the Mist”.
Region 9 Governor
