New medical technology to serve Listuguj

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A diabetic retinotherapy screening test has been available within Listuguj since June 2014, but many people don’t know about it.

With the help of a large, specialized camera, people can have an image of the inside of their eye taken and sent to doctors in Montreal, who will determine if further tests are required.

The intent is to encourage monitoring as painlessly as possible. Diabetes can be managed, if it is monitored properly. With this camera, people can catch problems early, without leaving the community, while only having to deal with people they know.

“This is kind of like step 1 in screening process,” said Leila Swasson, a registered nurse who works for the  Listuguj Community Health Services, and a Hospital Liaison for the Campbellton Regional Hospital.

Basically — diabetes affects insulin, preventing the body from converting sugar, which then damages blood vessels. Typically it affects smaller areas first, like eyes, or toes. Often these will lead to problems you can’t see, until it’s too late. “It’s all about early detection,” Swasson said.

A photo of your eye can alert an Optometrist if further action is needed. People may need to return months later for monitoring, or there may be no problems at all. So far, the most that’s had to be done after a scan was a visit to a doctor.

Appointments aren’t even required. People can make arrangements the day of, if needed. The first few to make use of the camera were actually called directly.

The equipment is shared with Gesgapegiag, and Optometrists do need to be on call whenever a clinic is held. Swasson expects to start scheduling them again soon.  “I think once the summer and vacations are over, we’ll start again in September.”

Farewell Kathy and Joe

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Elder Kathy Paul and her husband Joe Sorbey left Listuguj to establish themselves in the Truro region.  As Mi’gmaq couple they have family and friends across Mi’gmaqi.

Kathy spent more than 40 year of her life in Listuguj and was often active in different community activities.  As a Residential School survivor she was part of different Atlantic and National committees to put pressure on Canada to apologize to First Nations for its assimilationist policies through the Residential school system.

An emotional Farewell lunch was organized for Joe and Kathy at the Elder’s lodge on July 20.

According to Mary Bradstreet “Kathy was able to pass on her strength and the honor system that she always valued. I feel that she contributed to my own growth. She helped us with the Restorative Justice Program that is about forgiveness and healing and she was always there for the youth to help them grow as well. She’s a sister of mine in a spiritual sense,” she said.

Nta’tugwaqanminen — Our Story

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More than 60 people gathered under the new LMG tent at Moffat landing for the presentation of the book Nta’tugwaqanminen – Our Story.

The book produced by the Mi’gmawei Mawiomi Secretariat is the fruit of many years of research, reflections and discussion about Gespe’gewa’gi Mi’gmaq.  A video about the importance and uniqueness of the book, was presented to the public. The video included interviews to Elder Barnard Jerome, an academic, a lawyer, a youth, a researcher and the MMS Director.

The book itself is rich in information about history, archeology, place names, legal analysis of Aboriginal Title, the Mi’gmaq vs. Canadian vision on the territory and the regional, national and international context of Indigenous struggles to reaffirms their Inherent and Aboriginal rights.

The book Nta’tugwaqanminen describes the evolution of the Gespege’wa’gi Mi’gmaq and it represents a solid source of information for those interested in knowing Mi’gmaq identity, culture, history and the roots of our rights.  There are few books available on library shelves that carry the voices of the Mi’gmaq knowledge holders and written from a Mi’gmaq perspective. This is a “must read’ for all Mi’gmaq and anyone working with the Mi’gmaq people.

For Maddie Metallic, a Mi’gmaq language teacher the book is necessary for Mi’gmaq students at all levels. “I remember when I went to Mount Allison University we were taught about our history and about our people from a non-native perspective. At that time I felt that it was wrong and we were misrepresented but I didn’t have the tools to respond to them. If at that time I had the book Nta’tugwaqanminen and I had read it, I would have the tools to respond to their misinformation.” Holding the book on her hand and with a strong sentiment Maddie concluded: “This is a great book with so much information and above all, from a Mi’gmaq perspective.”

The Nta’tugwaqanminen book is available at the MMS office and will be distributes in Listuguj, Gesgapegiag and Gespeg.