Local Author Spotlight – Emma Metallic

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Emma Metallic is from Listuguj, and is currently employed at Alaqsite’w Gitpu School as an Education Assistant. She has completed her Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of King’s College in Halifax, Nova Scotia. She has completed level two of the Adult Mi’gmaw Immersion program in the community. Her most recent accomplishment is having her story, Nipugtug published.

The story Nipugtug (meaning forest) is about a girl named A’le’s who snowshoes through the forest and Gespe’gewa’gi trails. On her journey, she meets various animals and trees who guide her while she faces the challenges and emotions of learning the Mi’gmaw language. The story can be interpreted as a bit of an autobiography for Metallic. She said, “It does get challenging learning Mi’gmaw full-time, for me what really helped was going out in the woods and snowshoeing. That’s when I found that nipugtug is what grounded me with my language journey.” Being in the woods and being with nature really helps Metallic find a deeper sense of connection with her language.

The story was brought to life when Metallic’s good friend, Natalie Laurin was completing her undergrad for her degree, and for her final project, she needed to create an exhibition. She reached out to Metallic to collaborate and the two were able to use the Treaty Space Gallery in Nova Scotia to showcase their work. Laurin was responsible for supplying the illustrations, while Metallic provided the text in both English and Mi’gmaw. The exhibition was a complete success, and afterward, many people asked Metallic and Laurin if the story was published or available anywhere. This positive feedback gave Metallic the motivation to seek a publisher.

Metallic was informed that Ontario’s Indigenous-owned publishing company, Kegedonce Press, was accepting manuscripts. After she sent in a copy of her story, she heard back that it had been accepted.

Metallic wrote Nipugtug first in English and then wrote it in Mi’gmaw to the best of her ability. She received help from her teachers and classmates in the Adult Mi’gmaw Immersion program. She also sought guidance from community elder, Joe Wilmot, and her father, Dr. Fred Metallic. The book is published together in two different languages and consists of beautiful illustrations done by Natalie Laurin.

“It feels very empowering to have a story published in Mi’gmaq and English. It’s something very special to me. Especially this story in particular. It’s a story I’ve been thinking about for a very long time,” said Metallic.

Nipugtug is now available for purchase on Kegedonce Press’s website. The community is incredibly proud of Emma Metallic and her accomplishments and looks forward to what she has in store for the future.

By Ann Marie Jacques

Chief’s Corner with Chief Scott Martin – November 2023

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November has been a big month for the Listuguj Mi’gmaq Government. A few weeks ago, we unveiled our exciting new initiative, the Listuguj Wellness Renewal Initiative. This initiative was created to help promote the overall well-being and health of community members, by providing resources and education in a clinical and cultural way. I look forward to seeing what innovative ideas the initiative has in store for the future.

This month was also Remembrance Day. We took time to remember and honor our veterans. Thank you to the men and women who fought and sacrificed so much for our freedom.

We also had an Indigenous Governance Symposium this month where knowledge was shared on the importance of self-governance. Thank you to all the guest speakers and to everyone who made this event possible.

Local Business Owner Spotlight – Kirt Dedam

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Kirt Dedam has significant involvement and a number of key roles in the community of Listuguj. He has a Bachelor of Business degree and has always been passionate about entrepreneurship. He has done consulting with community members looking to start businesses.  He is the Mesgi’g Ugju’s’n Project Manager with Mi’gmawei Mawiomi Business Corporation (MMBC) and is involved with Listuguj’s Economic Development department and the Mawo’ltjig Mijjuaji’g Childcare Centre. Dedam also owns and operates the advertising company, Archer Marketing.

Archer Marketing was created in early 2020, just before the COVID-19 pandemic. In its early stages, it began with digital advertising. Dedam started with roughly six TV screens placed inside indoor locations in the area that feature advertisements for local businesses. “Part of why I wanted to get into this, was to try to help small businesses. It was a mix of my passion and trying to help the community and small businesses in our area,” said Dedam. In the beginning, business was fairly slow due to the pandemic, but Dedam saw it as an opportunity to iron out and resolve any challenges that come with operating a new business.

In 2021, Dedam decided to launch outdoor billboard advertising with four billboard structures, which can be seen on the 132 highway and Interprovincial. From the beginning, the outdoor advertisements were successful and continue to sell out every year.

Today, Archer Marketing has 22 outdoor advertisement spaces and nine indoor TV advertisement spaces.

Each TV advertisement consists of roughly 20 clients, that loop on 15-second intervals. Dedam charges a very reasonable fee of $5 per month to promote businesses.

When it comes to Archer Marketing’s operations, Dedam said, “I handle all the aspects. I do the graphic design; and installation and I do the construction.” As of more recently, he has been receiving help with construction due to the company’s success.

Dedam takes pride in advertising in the Listuguj area. He is working on building clientele and expanding Archer Marketing, hoping to put up more TV screens in Campbellton and even in Dalhousie.  Dedam realizes that the messages his billboards and advertisements give off are important in the community. He is striving for family-friendly advertisements that promote healthy messages and positivity.

If you are interested in advertising with Kirt Dedam of Archer Marketing, you can contact him via email at: kirtdedam@gmail.com, or on social media. His contact information can also be found on the indoor TV screen advertisements throughout the area.

By Ann Marie Jacques

Listuguj Kicks off National Addictions Awareness Week with a Wellness Walk

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Last month the Listuguj Mi’gmaq Government (LMG) teased a new initiative coming to the community. Earlier this month the Listuguj Wellness Renewal Initiative (LWRI) was unveiled.

The LWRI focuses on the well-being and health of our community members and will provide education, resources, and support for all.

This includes the promotion of a combination of clinical, cultural, and holistic approaches to wellness, empowering community members to overcome substance abuse and addictions, and advocating for positive change.

This initiative is supported and endorsed by Listuguj Chief and Council.

For its very first event, the LWRI partnered up with Listuguj Community Health Services for the first-ever Wellness Walk to kick off National Addictions Awareness Week. The walk took place on Friday, November 17th, and it was a great success.

It was wonderful to see so many people participate in this Wellness Walk. After the walk, everyone gathered at the Community Centre, where speeches were held. Chief Scott Martin spoke about how addictions impact everyone in the community. LMG’s CEO Bassem Abdrabou spoke about how it’s all about making a difference in even one person’s life. Several LMG directors spoke about how wellness and healthy lifestyles are important to their directorates:

Michael Isaac Sr. – Director of Education
Tanya Barnaby – Director of Social Services
Donna Metallic – Director of Health
Fred Metallic – Director of Natural Resources

The keynote speaker of the event was Listuguj’s Warren Morrison. Morrison spoke about his battle with substance abuse. He stated that from ages 15-26, he struggled with addiction. He has led an addictions-free life since August 4, 1996, and spoke on how important community support, resources and communication are to individuals looking to overcome addiction.

Thank you to everyone who made this event possible:

Listuguj Community Health Services
Listuguj Wellness Renewal Initiative
Listuguj Community Social Services
Listuguj Public Security
Listuguj Communications Department
Christine Metallic – Opening Prayer and Community Smudge
Warren Morrison – Keynote Speaker
Michael Isaac Jr. – MC
Diane Bernard – Caterer
J.M.I Designs
Chaleur Signs
Annette Barnaby and Rose Vicaire at the Listuguj Community Development Centre
IGA Extra Campbellton
Provigo Réjean Lévesque
Pizza Delight
Tim Horton’s

By Ann Marie Jacques