Education Deficit

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An unexpected number of new students attending post-secondary school this fall created some confusion leading up to the council meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 12.

Council voted to increase their deficit to approximately $700,000, so that all students will receive funding from the band. This is in addition to the funding from the Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada.

When the LMG’s budget was created, a deficit of approximately $300,000 was projected. However, this year there were 49 new students and “mature students who are returning” that weren’t expected. This equaled nearly an additional $340,000 in borrowing.

Travis Wysote, the Summer Student Employment Coordinator for the Listuguj Education Directorate, started receiving phone calls on Aug. 5, from students who were recently notified that they wouldn’t receive funding from the LMG. People continued to contact him throughout the week and weekend.

On Monday, Aug. 10, names were being collected, and a plan was formed to attend the council meeting.

“We had about 260 or signatures within 12 hours,” said Wysote. “So I mean there was a lot of mobilization. We had about 80 people show up.”

Wysote said a major concern was the short notice. Most students would not have had sufficient time to make alternative arrangements before the school year began.

Council voted to increase funding. The budgets that will be affected to compensate for this deficit has yet to be determined.

Over $70,000 for the Community Park

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Over $70,000 has been raised for the new community park, and Kangaroo playgrounds has been contracted. There should be people on site within four to six weeks.

This has been made possibly largely by a $60,000 donation from Invenergy – a company involved with the Mesgi’g Ugju’s’n Wind Farm.

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Sheila Swasson filling in the fundraising thermometer after a $60,000 donation from Invenergy. (Photo: Submittied)

“They’ve also committed $15,000 a year, starting in 2018 for the duration of the power purchase agreement,” said Sheila Swasson, one of the organizers of the project.

The additional money will be able to go to any community projects that need financial support.

To date, over 40 community members have contributed to the project.

Momentum built quickly, Swasson said. She remembers one friend donating, and then putting a call out on social media to encourage others. It ended up occupying most of Swasson’s night.

“I sat there for a good two to three hours, answering emails and accepting email transfers,” she said. “I thought, ‘wow, the community believes us. They really see it.’ You know, I had that same experience with the rink.”

The new park will actually be right beside the rink.

The plans have already been drawn, but there are still a lot of ideas floating around.

The organizers would like to plant trees, find ways to create a sense of ownership with the kids, and acknowledge the people who helped the park possible.

One way would be a sign with all the company’s logos. Another would be painting rocks with the names of the community members who donated, and permanently embedding them by getting a masonry to use them to create a border around the park.

The organizers hope the park will have a variety of impacts on the community – encouraging physical activity, encouraging pride and ownership over the community, and reminding people that anything can be done in Listuguj.

“We have the capacity to do it right here,” said Swasson. “I’m just lately feeling and seeing the revitalization of that.”

Lawsuit over terminal

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A lawsuit filed by the Mig’mawei Mawiomi Secretariat (MMS) is simple – the crown did not consult First Nation’s people before developing on their land.

Executive Director of the MMS, Troy Jerome, refers often to several legal precedents when explaining the grounds for the lawsuit. The key is a ruling that the crown must consult First Nation people when developing on their land.

“Chaleur Terminals” in Belledune is moving forward, and the Mi’gmaq have not been consulted.

The company did hold an information session.

“The crown cannot delegate its duty to consult,” Jerome said. “How does Chaleur Terminal, or any of its parent companies know how to deal with an aboriginal right?”

Another source of contention is the New Brunswick Government’s insistence that the matter is for the federal government, according to Jerome.

Troy Jerome in his office on July 30.

Troy Jerome in his office on July 30.

“They should of engaged with the feds and made sure the feds engaged with us before they issued any permits. You cannot just say, ‘we’re issuing permits, you go talk to the feds,’” Jerome said. “You’re the crown … It’s the crown that has a legal obligation. It’s the crown that has a fiduciary duty.”

“It’s the province in this case, which represents the crown, that removed us from our land, put us on these reserves, and it has the fiduciary [duty].”

Jerome said there is a misconception that Mi’gmaq people oppose all projects.

“[We’re] looking for where they can be involved in. Where we can benefit, but at the same time, not ruin our way of life.”

There are concerns over the actual project – 110-car trains moving along the Restigouche River twice a day, carrying product from the Alberta tar sands, to be stored and exported. Jerome – and many others – would like to know the various impacts such a project could have on the area.

Jerome said he has not been given any such information. He does, however, have a document

But that is not the basis of the lawsuit.

“It is based directly on the authorization the provincial government gave to build that terminal.”

The court date is set for January 18th.

“We are going into a project management kind of scenario with our lawyers.,” Jerome said. “We’re not going to wait until December to prepare ourselves. We’ll be ready way early.”

He said an important aspect to the preparations will be the principle of Etuaptmum – two eye seeing. Using the strengths of multiple perspectives when understanding or explaining anything.

“From the aboriginal perspective – we know what it is,” said Jerome. “But we need to show western science to a western judge so that he can look at it and say, ‘ok, what they’re saying is backed up by science.'” 

Experts in multiple fields are being lined up.

As of July 30th Jerome had not received a response from any of the parities

Bonnie Doyle Creber, a Communications Director with the NB Government said it would not be commenting on the matter while it is before the courts.

Michelle Perron,  a Media Relations representative with  the Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada, decline to comment and stated the federal government was not named in the litigation. She also provided this link about the government’s duty to consult.

20 Years of Service: Lyle Wysote

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Being a police officer for 20 years in the community you were born and raised has its share of unique challenges.

Lyle Wysote was just honored for 20 years of service as a police officer in Listuguj.

“Sometimes you have to deal with family members. Sometimes you have to deal with close friends,” he said. “But the thing is, you have to try reason and let them know, explain – ‘I’m not here because I want to be here. I’m here because I have to be.’”

While it may be tough in unique ways, Wysote thinks it’s important to be working in his own community.

“The majority of us are from here,” he said. “We police our own community. I think that makes  a difference.”

Even though emotional situations can arise when running in to longtime friends or family, Wysote is careful to keep in mind the many factors that could be at play.

“You can’t take that to heart,” Wysote said. “We’re still friends.”

With brief amounts of time spent working and training outside of the community, Wysote has been settled here since 1996.

“From 2001 to now I’ve been in plain clothes, doing investigations – be it sex crimes, drugs, violent crimes.”

He has been serving for 19 consecutive years, 20 in total.

“Policing has changed a lot since 1991, when I first started, to present day,” Wysote said.

Mi’gmaq Language Workshop

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The 3rd Mi’gmaq language workshop was held at the Bingo Hall on July 30.

The goal is to encourage people to learn Mi’gmaq, by sparking their interest.

“I personally think that we have plenty of resources needed to learn the language,” said Madeliane Metallic, one of the organizers. “It’s just to get people up and motivated and wanting to learn.”

Stations were set up for one portion of the workshop. One station was designed to get people actually speaking the language in a “fun activities type of way.”

“People who never spoke it before are speaking,” said Metallic. “Mi’gmaq language is actually very complicated. Eight times tougher than the English language.”

The workshops began through a collaboration with the Listuguj Education Directorate and McGill University. The workshop is funded by a grant from the University.

“McGill just had interest in Listuguj’s community,” said Metallic. “They’ve been collaborating with Listuguj for a couple years now.”

The workshop, programs, and the website are currently being transferred over  to Listuguj community members.

“Eventually it will be solely in Listuguj’s hands,” Metallic said. “They can edit it, add to it, whatever.”

Carol-Rose Little first came to Listuguj while at McGill University. She is now working on her PhD in Linguistics at Cornell University.

“It’s so gratifying,” she said. “The potential, the success of this project is so huge. Revitalizing and preserving a language. Not only is it extremely important, but it’s also a huge project … I think people in the community really want to preserve the language.”

Chief’s Message (Aug. 5)

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“Now that summer is winding down, I hope that everyone’s summer was the best one possible,” said Chief Scott Martin.

“I was happy to see that both the Wellness Fair and the Pow Wow were huge successes, and I would like to congratulate both organizing committees.”

“I would also like to thank the participants, visitors, and sponsors for making this year’s Wellness Fair and Pow Wow a success, and we hope to see you all again next year.”

With September quickly approaching, it is time for everyone to get back into the routine for the upcoming school year.

Grass Dancer: Craig Isaac

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Craig was 20 years-old when he first danced at a Pow Wow. He had been watching closely as he traveled the circuit for awhile, but he hadn’t participated until one day in Nova Scotia.

“I was a nervous wreck the whole time,” he said. “I think it was like that for the first full year.”

The first Pow Wow he danced at typically takes until 11 p.m. to get to the adults.

“You know it’s coming up, It’s like a high school speech eh,” he said. “ ‘I’m next, I’m going to be next, I’m going to be next.'”

“My coordination was horrible. I was off beat. I was stiff. But I mean – that’s most people. When you start off when you’re 20 years-old, you’re not just going to come in to it. As oppose to – you see some little kids starting off for the first time, and they just nail it right away.”

There was never any question of whether to continue or not. A drummer gave him some advice. He told him to attend some of the larger Pow Wows. Once you do that, the others don’t seem like such a big deal. He went to Schemitzun – one the biggest in North America at the time.

“When you first walk out on to the dance arena – it’s a good feeling when you look around, and you see 30 other grass dancers. Especially the ones that you’ve been watching for years.”

It wasn’t long before people began approaching Isaac, telling them that they enjoyed watching him.

“Just that stuff alone makes it all worth it,” he said. “You feel good yourself. It’s like anything else, when you’re about to do it – you’re nervous. Once you’re into the song – that all goes away.”

POW WOW

“Just Pow Wow alone I think is something that’s good for your spirit, your mind, your body,” said Isaac. “Song and dance no matter what style, if it’s hip-hop, R&B, when you hear a good song, it makes you feel good, right. Same thing with Pow Wow. When you’re dancing, it makes you feel good, it makes the ones watching you feel good.”

But Pow Wows are more than just dancing for Isaac.

“It’s something that I think brings families together,” he said. “Especially for me and my daughter.”

From April onward, they spend as many weekends as they can traveling. His daughter has been dancing since she could walk. And they often travel with the same group. They call them their “Pow Wow family.”

“It’s basically a big family you know, and everyone looks out for each other, and everyone helps each other out,” he said. “The kids love it, because they get to see each other every weekend. When you come home you know you’re going to see them again in a few days.”

They attend a variety of Pow Wows, both traditional and competition.

For Isaac, he enjoys the relaxed nature of a traditional Pow Wow and dancing just for the people, but he really likes competition Pow Wows.

He places often, even as an “old style” dancer.

OLD AND CONTEMPORARY

Isaac is a grass dancer.

“It’s a dance that comes from the plains tribes. And it’s basically a dance that mimics patting down tall prairie grass,” Isaac said. “Like most of the dance styles at Pow Wows – they started to spread out across the nations.”

Like other dancers, Isaac started in the “contemporary style” and transitioned in to more of an “old style.”

“They’re both challenging in their own way,” he said.

Isaac explained that “contemporary” dancers will often incorporate all sorts of dance moves, including modern popular dance ones. It’s limited only by your creativity, he said.

“Old style is less flashy, more on the spot,” Isaac said. “Everything you do on one side, you do on the other side. It’s more smooth moving.”

And while “old style” may stay closer to a standard set of footwork, Isaac said there’s still plenty of room for individuality.

“You can transition them in your own style.”

Isaacs preference is purely aesthetic.

“I like the look of the smooth footwork.”

Isaac agreed that “old style” dances are sometimes overlooked at competitions. But an experienced judge will know what to look for. And more and more dancers are being drawn to it. He said it is “making a big comeback.”

So far this year, Isaac has placed at the majority of the competition Pow Wow’s he has attended.

The nervousness may have worn off, but the excitement definitely hasn’t. Isaac intends to keep traveling with long-time friends and family for awhile to come.

Jingle Dress Dancer: Cheyenne Isaac

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You can do everything right, and still not place in a competition Pow Wow. Especially if you dance “Old Style.”

Cheyenne Isaac has been dancing since she was seven years old, and grew up traveling to all sorts of Pow Wows with her father – a champion dancer himself. She calls herself “very competitive.”

“I know when I screw up,” she said.

She dances an “Old Style” Prayer Dance – which is often called a “jingle dress dance.”

Isaac says there are two main distinctions in all the different dances at a Pow Wow – “Contemporary” and “Old Style.”

“Contemporary” is the flashier of the two. The movements draw can even from modern dance moves, and the regalia is more colorful.

“Old Style” stays closer to a set of footwork, is more subtle, and has a more reserved look.

“I feel that the old style shouldn’t go unrecognized,” Isaac said.  “It’s still just as beautiful. And really – it’s where the dance originated. That was the first raw steps of each dance form before it became something else.”

Isaac says there are also two types of Pow Wow’s – competition and traditional.

The east mostly has traditional Pow Wows, where the focus is more on dancing for the people.

Isaac enjoys both for different reasons, but enjoys the pressure from a competition Pow Wow.

“It helps me try to get better at what I’m doing. But sometimes it messes with you – if you don’t place.”

23rd Annual Pow Wow

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There are tons of headaches when organizing something as big as the Pow Wow.

There’s food and water to find, dancers and drummers to register and coordinate, vendors to verify and ensure have taken their safety course, and many many volunteers to find for important jobs.

But it’s all worth it for Lita Isaac and Marilyn Jacques – two coordinators who have been helping since the very first Pow Wow, 23 years ago.

The goal is simple – make people feel safe and welcomed.

Jacques and Isaac hope  everyone will leave with something, whether  a gift or just a positive experience.

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Two long-time organizers, Lita Isaac and Marilyn Jacque.

“Even a free coffee makes you feel good,” said Isaac.

They can both talk at length about plans to make people feel welcome and appreciated.

From children to elders, to dancers  and strangers – no one is forgotten.

“Friday night is for the elders,” said Isaac. “Saturday night is for the dancers and the drummers.”

It all starts with a sacred fire Thursday morning. Friday is the Wellness Fair, and there’s music that night.

Saturday starts with a big breakfast under the tent, before Grand Entry at noon. The dancing and drumming continues that night, after a traditional feast.

Sunday morning everything is cooked, so that campers waking up late still have something to eat.

For Isaac and Jacques it’s automatic to help make the Pow Wow happen.

“I just call it my medicine,” said Jacques.

“I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else,” said Isaac. “In fact, there’s times when I forget to go home.”

Seeing anyone happy and comfortable is reward enough for the organizers. But it’s extra satisfying when they see kids involved. They’re drawn to it, they say. They’re guaranteed to be around, especially when the tent arrives.

“They’re feeling part of this,” said Isaac, proudly.

2015 Wellness Fair

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The Wellness Fair started the year after the Pow Wow, and it’s now held the Friday of Pow Wow weekends. This is its 22nd year in a row.

150 people estimated to attend – that’s the amount of shirts they buy. And they know it’s growing.

It all starts with a march from subway to the tent, where there are presentations, and then kiosks from various local organizations open up.

“We have a vast amount of resources in our community,” said Sheila Swasson. “And this is their opportunity to  showcase what they do.” 

The fair is hosted by Haven House, which has a mandate that includes creating awareness for family violence prevention.

The keynote speaker is Tuma Young, from Cape Breton University.

“I think he’s focusing on technology, and the impact that it’s having on culture,” said Swasson.

Dominque Loyer, a Naturopath originally from Listuguj will be presenting.  Families First and the Anti-Racism Strategy will also be giving presentations.

Swasson feels the fair is appropriately named – it’s all aimed at “wellness.”

“Every aspect of it,” Swasson said. “And it’s a personal thing … I always think of it [as] a journey.

It’s not a destination, so it’s something that you’re continually working at, and we’re all at different places along that way.”

Swasson hopes people will find something to improve their wellness, in any  way.

“Take what you need, if you don’t need it – leave it behind.”