Chief’s Corner – Chief Scott Martin January 2023

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We begin 2023 with a sense of togetherness in the community of Listuguj.  It has been great to see people being so supportive and caring in times of need. Whether it’s fundraisers, ceremonies, and the various resources we have in the community.

We have entered our cold winter months, and I encourage you all to be safe and alert when it comes to the ongoing weather conditions. Keep an eye on all Listuguj Mi’gmaq Government channels for weather information and possible closure updates.  In closing, I’d like to remind everyone to please continue to ensure elders are safe and cared for during these harsh winter months.

Congratulations Moosemen!

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Congratulations to the 2023 B Division Champs, Moms & Pops Moosemen! The Ugpi’ganjig Annual Hockey Tournament took place in Eel River Bar on January 20th, 21st, and 22nd, 2023.

All-Star Goalie – Bradley Slaughter

All-Star Defence – Cody Condo

All-Star Forwards – Noah Barnaby and August Morrison

Congratulations Team NB!

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The Listuguj Mi’gmaq Government would like to congratulate our local athletes on Team NB for advancing to the next round of tryouts for the 2023 North American Indigenous Games.

Congratulations Archers!

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Congratulations to the members who competed in the Bathurst 3D Archery tournament earlier this month:

Josh Dedam Sr – Senior Barebow Gold Medalist
Mitch Isaac – Senior Barebow Silver Medalist
Ayden Barnaby – Senior Olympic Recurve Silver Medalist
Kieran Dedam – Cadet Barebow Gold Medalist
Pasmay Paul – Pre-Cub Barebow Gold Medalist
On the team but did not compete, Harmony Isaac.

Congratulations to the members who competed in the Lancaster Archery Classic in Lancaster Pennsylvania January 26th to 29th:

Josh Dedam Sr – Barebow Division with a score of 308/660
Mitch Isaac – Olympic Recurve Division with a score of 403/660
Ayden Barnaby – 11-17 Olympic Recurve Division with a score of 366/660.
Kieran Dedam – 11-17 Barebow Division with a score of 155/660.

There are a number of competitions for our athletes coming this year:

  • Canada Winter Games in PEI for Team NB Feb 28th to March 4th, 2023, Regionals March 4th & 5th.
  • MICA, Miramichi March 19th
  • 3D & Target Provincials in Bathurst NB April 29th & 30th
  • Canada Cup East (National), Laval Qc June 22nd to 24th
  • NAIG 2023 July 15th to 23rd 2023
  • 3D & Target outdoor provincials July 15th and 16th
  • Field outdoor Provincials July 22nd
  • Eastern Canadian Crown July 28th to 30th in Truro Nova Scotia

A Message from the Health and Safety Team

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Winter time is now upon us. During this frigid season we must remember to take certain precautions to stay safe. When outdoors, wear appropriate footwear for the winter. Winter boots have better traction than summer or indoor footwear, so consider bringing summer/indoor footwear to work and change in the office/workplace.

The use of ice cleats may also help with traction outdoors. However, be careful when travelling indoors on hard surfaces. Cleats will have the reverse effect.

Parking lots and walkways are common places for slips/falls during the winter. Please exercise caution as black ice may be present at entry points/parking lots.

Making sure they are kept clean of ice and snow is very important.  If they are not frequently maintained during the day, have a bucket of salt/sand with a small shovel available where needed. We all can take a few minutes to help by spreading out some salt/sand. Safety is everyone’s responsibility.

When walking over an icy patch, try walking like a penguin. Remember, keep your hands out of your pockets to keep your balance.

“Don’t Quit Quitting”
 Listuguj Community Health Services Smoking Cessation Program

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Listuguj Community Health Services has several programs and resources available to community members. One program is the Smoking Cessation program, which is coordinated by Wanda Metallic. Metallic is well-known in the community for her work in programs such as the Opioid program, as well as the Brighter Futures program that has been in effect for the last 30 years.

The Smoking Cessation program began roughly five or six years ago. It is offered to people who would like assistance in quitting smoking. In the beginning, Metallic would determine how many cigarettes the person consumes and then release a starter kit that consists of various Nicotine gum, patches, inhalers, and vaporizers. People can try these products out to see which they prefer and can return to the Health Centre to receive more. Each product contains a number of milligrams pertaining to how many cigarettes are consumed. For example, Step 1 has the highest dose of nicotine which would typically be what a person who is just starting to quit, would use. Metallic will offer a two-week supply of these products at a time. The starter pack also consists of a journal for people to keep track of the journey so far, and to write about their experience.

When asked why a program like this is important for the community, Metallic simply said, “Smoking is bad for you. Eventually, smokers are going to quit smoking because they have no choice.  It’s too bad that it gets that far.”

If you are looking to quit smoking or would like some information, walk-ins are available, or you can contact the Listuguj Health Centre at 418-788-2155.

In closing, Metallic had a piece of advice for community members who wish to quit smoking. She said, “Don’t quit quitting! Don’t give up. Keep going. We’re here all the time, if I’m not, there’s someone here who can serve you.”

By Ann Marie Jacques

LOCAL BUSINESS OWNER SPOTLIGHT
Alexandra Willett

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Alexandra (Barnaby) Willett graduated from Acadia University in Sociology, and during her final year of studies, she discovered she had a passion for health and fitness.  She knew she wanted to take this passion to the next level, so she began EL Wellness Studio – Spin + Fitness from scratch during the COVID-19 pandemic. Willett took on multiple roles for the studio – instructor, payroll, marketing, Human Resources, Inventory management, etc. She began business planning in late 2020, and the doors officially opened to the public in September 2021.

Since its opening, the studio now consists of several instructors and studio leaders and offers 25 classes per week. These classes start as early as 6:00 AM and run until late in the evenings.  There are two studios in the facility that offer inclusive group fitness classes. In Studio 1, Spin (indoor cycling) classes are offered. These spin classes are very high-energy and fun and contain upbeat music and lights. In Studio 2, various group fitness classes range from low-intensity workouts, such as yoga and M1ND, to high-intensity workouts like “Get Pumped” and L1FT.

EL Wellness is a very inclusive studio that thrives on the notion that fitness is about feeling good and pushing yourself. The instructors are very supportive and encouraging when it comes to an individual’s personal fitness journey.  Willett said, “A fitness class at EL will push you past your fitness abilities, but it will also uplift you and reassure you of how capable you are.”

Willett said her favorite thing about working at EL Wellness is connecting with the studio’s members. “Watching new members grow so quickly, watching confidence build and self-esteem rise. Our community and the energy they bring will always be the heartbeat of the studio,” said Willett.  If you’ve ever experienced a class at EL Wellness, you can just feel the confidence and joy in the studio rooms. The instructors are knowledgeable and provide an all-around positive experience.

When asked about the future plans of EL Wellness, Willett was excited to share the details. “We are currently in the renovation stages of an expansion! I’m absolutely over the moon to share that we will be the first and only fitness facilities in the Maritime provinces to offer classes using our new equipment.” She said that expansion has always been on her mind and would like to accommodate the studio’s members more with new fitness options. “Our new Studio 3 will offer another type of training that is not offered elsewhere. Stay tuned to see!” said Willett.  

If you are interested in the available courses at EL Wellness Studio, there are a number of ways to get informed. You can stop by the studio, located at 206 Notre Dame St. in Atholville for more information on scheduling and classes offered. All class descriptions and schedules are available on www.elwellnessstudio.com or on the EL Wellness app, which can be found in the App store on any smartphone. Individuals can create a profile on the website or the app and book a class.

Walk Out Stronger at EL Wellness Studio!

By Ann Marie Jacques

Meet Your Community Dietician – Mallory Campbell

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After completing her bachelor’s degree at Mount Saint Vincent University in Nova Scotia, Mallory Campbell completed her internship in Gesgapegiag where she officially finished her degree and passed her exam to become a registered Dietician. Campbell has been working as the registered Dietician in Listuguj and Gesgapegiag for a little over 10 years now.

When people hear the word “Dietician” they might associate this role strictly with dieting and weight loss, but this isn’t the case A Dietician offers much more insight when it comes to the connection between food and health. In Quebec, there is really no significant difference between a “Dietician” and a “Nutritionist.” Listuguj offers a Nutrition Program to all community members at Listuguj Community Health Services. These services can be offered in both individual or group settings and can include cooking classes, one-on-one individual consultations, or group information sessions. A program like this is very important and beneficial to have. “It can empower the community to embrace, understand, and enjoy food,” said Campbell.

A few topics that can be covered in the Nutrition program are:

  • Diabetes
  • Heart Health
  • Pregnancy
  • Infant/Child Nutrition
  • Allergies
  • Cancer
  • Digestive Health
  • Weight loss/weight gain

Every consultation is unique, because it is on a case-by-case basis and ultimately what an individual’s need or goal is. Campbell will gather information and go from there. She said, “General information is usually collected which would cover things such as past/current eating habits, medical history, current health, medication, culture/food traditions, etc.”

There is a lot of information out there when it comes to nutrition, and Campbell said that it can get confusing and overwhelming but here are a few nutrition tips from Campbell:

  1. Enjoy the food you eat.
  2. Try a variety of foods.
  3. Cook at home.
  4. Limit processed foods.
  5. Choose water as your drink of choice.

If you are interested in meeting with Campbell, Registered Dietician at Listuguj Health Services, please call, 418-788-2155 and ask to speak with Mallory. She will schedule an appointment for a consultation and will help you on your way to your personal nutrition goals.

By Ann Marie Jacques

GETTING SPIRITUAL WITH CHAD GEDEON

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Chad Gedeon is a Councillor here at the Listuguj Mi’gmaq Government, and works in the Culture and Language department. When he got back into politics in 2018, he knew right away that he wanted his focus to be on revitalizing the culture and language in the community. The first project he took on was the creation of the Etlinpisulti’gw Healing Grounds. In the beginning, the area on Bordeaux Road only consisted of a teepee, and after community engagements, and discussions with elders and residential school survivors, Gedeon took the lead on making the grounds what they are today. A place of healing, outdoor community gatherings, ceremonies, and teachings. It’s a place where people can just sit outside and be at peace.

Gedeon’s next project is the Turtle Lodge. He said, “The Turtle Lodge will be a place of healing, where we will practice our language more, where ceremonies can be formed, where we can practice our teachings, share our stories and culture.  We will have a room for elders and residential school survivors.  There will be a kitchen for feasts after ceremonies. There will be workshop rooms for drum making, basket making, learning about medicine making, and more.” At this time, ground-breaking for the new Turtle Lodge is expected Spring of this year.

Not only are these healing resources beneficial to individuals, but also to various departments in the community, such as Social Services. With many people battling mental illness and addiction, having a place like the healing grounds, or the Turtle Lodge, is a useful tool for departments to recommend individuals take part in to begin or continue their healing process.

Gedeon believes these healing resources are a way for the community to change their way of thinking. To help encourage the preservation of the language and culture, and to learn the tools the Mi’gmaq people once had before. He said, “Before with our ancestors, everyone had a role in the community, the basket makers, the gatherers, the fishers, it was a balance, and we lost that balance once modernization kicked in.”

A lot of people in the community of Listuguj practice spirituality and everyone practices it in their own unique way. “To me, spirituality is the connection with our ancestors, our teaches, and Mother Earth,” said Gedeon. If you are looking to learn more about spirituality and healing in the community, reach out to knowledge-keepers and elders for more insight. Take part in the various ceremonies and gatherings at the Etlinpisulti’gw Healing Grounds and other facilities in the community, and eventually, the new Turtle Lodge will be another alternative for your spiritual journey.

By Ann Marie Jacques