"Ontario's First Nations receive the Pan Am Flame"

TORONTO - Amidst heavy rains, thunders and rough waters the Pan Am flame made it to the mainland safely in the City of Toronto during a special ceremony over the weekend.

The flame arrived in Canada coming from Mexico. It was carried by air in a float plane and then transferred to a canoe paddled by First Nations paddlers from Six Nations and various communities.

Representatives from Six Nations of the Grand River territory, Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation, were on site at Harbourfront Centre in Toronto to officially welcome the flame to Ontario.

Chief Bryan LaForme of Mississaugas of the New credit First Nations carried the flame into the ceremony.

LaForme told the Two Row Times, "It's exciting! It's a great opportunity for our community. It's a great opportunity for Toronto. It's certainly a great opportunity for Ontario as a whole to show the unity that has happened with First Nations in this area as well as the rest of Ontario."

Chief Ava Hill of Six Nations of the Grand River was also there to welcome the flame and spoke during the event saying, "As one of the host First Nations for the Games, we are very proud to participate with the other Aboriginal leaders in the planning of the many activities that will take place during the Pan Am Games."