CHIEF’S CORNER WITH CHIEF SCOTT MARTIN – September 2023

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Summer is officially over, and we have moved into the Fall months. I’d like to thank the garden staff for their harvests, and for working hard this season to supply Listuguj with healthy and fresh vegetables. I’d also like to thank the community for their patience and caution over the last month with the construction in our area.  Upgrades and development are important, and it is what push us further as a community.  Lastly, I’d like to use this time to congratulate Deven Condo-Mitchell and Amanda Larcoque on earning fourth place on The Amazing Race Canada. On behalf of the Listuguj Mi’gmaq Government, we are very proud to have you represent Mi’gma’gi  and we enjoyed being part of your journey on the show.

Local Author Spotlight – Jodie Callaghan

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Jodie Callaghan (Barnaby) has many impressive achievements and accomplishments, both academically and careerwise. She is an award-winning author and has a number of degrees, including a Bachelor of Arts, a Bachelor of Journalism, a Post Graduate Diploma in Education, and a Master of Education. Callaghan has worked as a journalist with APTN in the Halifax bureau and has worked and studied abroad in Scotland. Since her return to Listuguj, she has been an educator for the past 10 years. She currently teaches English at the Adult Education centre in the community, Elawsimgewei Gina’muo’guom.

Callaghan wrote her story, The Train, in 2009-2010. The story is about a young girl who learns about her Great-Uncle’s experiences and the long-lasting and damaging effects of residential school. The Uncle reminisces about a train in their community that was used to transport the children to residential school, where their lives would change forever. The story centers on the young girl’s emotions and initial reaction to learning about residential school. She said that the young girl in the story represents how she felt, or how anyone might feel upon learning about Canada’s tragic history. They may go through many emotions, like anger, and confusion, but these feelings are valid and are important to be talked about, for educational purposes and for healing.

The story was written around the time of the government of Canada’s apology to former students in the residential school system. Callaghan had been working for APTN at the time and was covering news stories at the former site of the Shubenacadie Indian Residential School. She interviewed survivors and their family members, and they shared their experiences and stories with her on that historical day. Regarding her inspiration for The Train, Callaghan said, “There was an elder there, he was a survivor, and he was talking about getting on a train to go to the school, and I had that visual in my mind – these little children getting on this train. When you think about little kids getting on trains, it’s exciting, it’s a positive experience, but for the survivors, it was the opposite.”

Callaghan’s grandmother, Margie Martin had attended the Indian Day School in the community. Some of the references in The Train were direct examples from her grandmother’s own personal experience.

Callaghan submitted her story to Mi’gmawei Mawio’mi Secretariat (MMS) for their annual Mi’gmaq Writers Award contest, where she won first place. Years later, a publishing company, Second Story Press announced they were holding an Indigenous Writing and Illustration Contest. She decided to submit The Train, and won the children’s category. For winning this contest, she had her story published by Second Story Press, after they found Georgia Lesley to provide the book’s illustrations, it was released to the public in March 2020.

The book’s success has earned Callaghan multiple award nominations, including the 2021 Silver Birch Express Award, the 2022 Ann Connor Brimer Award for Atlantic Canadian Children’s Literature, and the 2022 Indigenous Voices Award. The Train is available locally at The Flying Canoe Bookstore, and online at Amazon, Chapters, or GoodMinds Indigenous Books. The book also comes in the dual-language edition, called G’as, which was interpreted and translated by local elder, Joe Wilmot.

Callaghan said that she has always wanted to write a book and have it published, so the whole experience was very surreal. When she is not teaching, or spending time with her family, she is still writing. For her next project, she plans on writing young adult horror stories focusing on Indigenous lore.

By Ann Marie Jacques

LMDC – Offering Programs Based on Community Needs

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The Listuguj Mi’gmaq Development Centre (LMDC) has been a staple in the community for over 25 years. The Centre opened in 1996 and provides education, training, and development opportunities. The staff ensures that community members have the tools and resources they need to attend adult education or vocational schooling and to be job-ready to get into the workforce. The LMDC began operating out of various locations in Listuguj, and the facility located on Pacific Drive was built and opened to the public in 2004. The building consists of several classrooms along with a fully functioning garage used for training purposes.

Jennifer LaBilliois-Metallic has been employed with the LMDC since the very beginning. She has taken on a number of roles, but as of December 2022, she is now the Director of the Listuguj Mi’gmaq Development Centre.

LaBillois said, “We have been offering programming to the community based on needs, that was the whole premise of the LMDC right from the beginning. Develop planning, program design, and implementation.” The staff receives feedback from community members as to which programs could be helpful to have offered. This type of data is collected through needs assessment surveys, or just from community members contacting the LMDC to inquire about programs. Once the LMDC receives the feedback on desired programs, the staff will then reach out to institutions and try to bring the programs to the community.

Training is mostly at a vocational level at the LMDC. One vocational training institute that is housed at LMDC is Eastern Shores School Board. They have been in partnership since the early 90’s and have offered several programs and training over the years. These programs include Licensed Practical Nurse, Home Care Attendant, Secretarial/Accounting, and various trade programs (Carpentry, tiling, etc.)

Another program that is currently available at the LMDC is the Wildlife Protection Officer course held by Collège d’Alma. This course was requested by Listuguj Public Security and Natural Resources to have trained officers to support the management and monitoring of the environment in Listuguj’s traditional territory.

The Adult Mi’gmaq Immersion program is an LMDC initiative that began in 2016-2017. Initially, the LMDC rented classrooms at the Education Complex, and this year, the program has found a new home at the LMDC building.

Other programs and services that can be offered at the LMDC include youth employment programs (Step-by-Step), workshops on healthy living, financial fitness, life skills, and much more.

Over the years, many individuals have benefitted from the LMDC’s services. LaBillois is happy to see the progress and the Centre’s impact in Listuguj. When it comes to what she likes most about working at the LMDC, LaBillois said, “To see the successes of our community members over the past 27 years.”

The LMDC has helped many individuals gain the training, skills, and confidence they need to enter the workforce for the first time or help determine what career path they would like to take. The staff is knowledgeable and eager to assist when it comes to resumes, applying for jobs, career counseling/research, and applying for funding.

If you would like any information on available or upcoming workshops and programs at the Listuguj Mi’gmaq Development Centre, feel free to stop in at 2 Pacific Drive in Listuguj, or contact 418-788-1347.

By Ann Marie Jacques and LMDC

Deven and Amanda Make History on The Amazing Race Canada

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Although Deven Condo-Mitchell and Amanda Larocque didn’t make it to the finale of The Amazing Race Canada, their legacy and appearance on the show has made history across Turtle Island. The couple brought laughter to viewers week after week, and it was incredible to see the perseverance and growth that came with each challenge. The community of Listuguj has enjoyed watching and is very proud of the couple for earning fourth place overall in the show.

The challenges in the show required concentration, patience, and communication, and Condo-Mitchell and Larocque had to work together and strategize on their game. Larocque said, “We grew a lot as a couple. We grew stronger. Our communication skills were getting better every leg.” The couple would like to encourage others to put themselves out there and get out of their comfort zone because anything is possible.

The couple had their favourite challenges and locations visited while on the show. Condo-Mitchell’s favourite challenge was bungee jumping in Whistler, British Columbia, while Larocque’s was taking part in the tree dancing challenge in Tofino, British Columbia. When it comes to the friendships they made on the show, the couple keeps in contact with fellow competitors via a group chat and getting together whenever they can.

It’s no secret that Condo-Mitchell and Larocque were entertaining with their humour. Their appearance on the show came with plenty of funny moments and quotes, Larocque laughed and said, “Holy Nisgam – people are asking for t-shirts.”

People from across the nation tuned in to watch the show and cheer on Condo-Mitchell and Larocque, and the couple are grateful and overwhelmed by the support they received. Condo-Mitchell said, “We made history. We were the first Mi’gmaq team from the East Coast to represent Mi’gma’gi. There was a great responsibility, and the amount of love and support we got was truly remarkable.”

Larocque expressed her gratitude, and said, “Welalioq and gesaluloq – we love you all. Thank you all for the support throughout this race, it was truly amazing.”

By Ann Marie Jacques