Douglas Pictou and the AGS Drum Group

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The Alaqsite’w Gitpu School (AGS) drum group has been a staple in the community since the school opened in 1997. Several students have been members of the group over the years. One of these members was Douglas Pictou, the Performing Arts Coordinator at AGS, who has been facilitating the drum group at the school for the last three years.

Pictou first attended AGS when he was 11 years old, and said when he was younger living in Dalhousie, New Brunswick, he didn’t connect to his Mi’gmaw roots until he was introduced to drumming. He said, “When I got here, it was my first introduction, to not just seeing different practices in the culture, but attire, language, displays all over the school. There was a big pride over it.” Being a member of the drum group was important to Pictou at this age, and he started to really embrace his Mi’gmaw identity. He stopped drumming during his teenage years and in his early 20’s, but picked it up again while working with the Listuguj Youth and Family Centre, and eventually in his current role at AGS.

The AGS Drum Group are a group of 10 students ranging from grades 5 to grade 8. They practice twice a week on Tuesday and Thursday at recess, and perform at school events, community events, and at other schools in the area.  Every year Pictou reaches out to previous members to see if they would like to re-join, and for remaining spots, a sign-up sheet is posted in the school.

Although the drum group can be seen as a fun extracurricular activity, it’s much more than that. It’s a respected ceremonial practice that needs to be taken seriously. Pictou said, “I have certain philosophies, disciplines and protocols that were taught to me over the years, and these are the same things that I implement with the students.” It’s important for the students to show commitment, dedication and recognize the spirit of the drum.  Pictou talked about the importance of proper enunciation when it comes to singing and performing. He coaches the students to ensure they are sounding everything out, and using their tongue, lips and teeth.

What sets the AGS Drum Group apart from other drum groups are female members. Pictou said, “One of the big things that was talked about when I first started was, ‘Are you going to let females in your group?’ Traditionally that is not a thing we do.” Traditionally, women made drums for men to use as medicine and to heal and chant.  Pictou went around the school speaking to Elders asking their opinion on allowing females in the group. Ultimately Pictou decided that he would let females join the drum group. For the past two years, the AGS Drum Group has had female members, who demonstrate pride and treat the role with earnestness.

This year, there are two leaders: Makayla Barnaby and Levi Isaac. The leaders are responsible for controlling the honour beats, supporting fellow group members, and just being a team leader overall. It is important for all group members to conduct themselves in school and be respectful, as they must hold themselves to a high standard when being a part of the group.

When it comes to teaching and mentoring the students, Pictou said, “I love doing events with them, especially when I can kind of sit back and watch them conduct themselves. It makes me proud of them.” He hopes that the students will take the knowledge and perseverance and apply them in the future when they leave AGS.

AGS Drum Group 2024-2025 School Year:

Levi Isaac
Makayla Barnaby
Charlie Drapeau
Pasmay Paul
Bethany Martin
Hendrix Bear
Alex Morrison
Vaan Barnaby
Keegan George

By Ann Marie Jacques

Wishing Listuguj Fishermen and Fisherwomen a Safe and Successful Snow Crab Fishing Season!

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On April 5th, Listuguj fishermen and fisherwomen went out on the waters to kick off the 2025 snow crab season.

We recognize the sacrifice and dedication that they do for your community.

Below you will find a prayer in Mi’gmaq, by Karen Martin and A.G.S. Mi’gmaw Immersion grades 3 & 4 in 2023, written specifically for the fishers:

Usgewinu’gei A’sutmaqan

Wela’lieg Gisulgw ta’n telignmuieg nme’juaqan.

Geleiwattesg ula usgewinu’g apaqtug elta’jig ugjit ta’n te’sieg aqq ‘nt-nnueigati’mi-nen.

Pugwelg wetapesultieg ta’n teliusg’ti’tij.

Wela’lieg ta’n tellugutioq aqq etawa’tieg ’ms’t ula’s’gtn samuqwanigtug.

Na tliaj. 

Introducing Dr. Jean-Paul Dedam, M.D. – Listuguj’s New Physician

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In March, the Listuguj Community Health Services Directorate announced that Dr. Jean-Paul Dedam, M.D., will be joining their team as the new physician in the community. Having a physician in Listuguj is something that Listuguj Community Health Services (LCHS) has been working towards for quite some time. They wanted someone with experience in caring for Indigenous people, with ties to the community and Mi’gmaw culture. Dr. Dedam was a perfect fit for the position.

Dr. Dedam is a Listuguj community member, who grew up in Maine. Prior to taking on this new role, Dr. Dedam was living and working in New Mexico. He is temporarily residing with his uncle, Herbie Martin and Elizabeth Barnaby, and is in the early stages of learning Mi’gmaq. He is hoping to take Mi’gmaw Immersion classes later in the year. Although this will be his first time living in Listuguj, he said, “In the back of my mind, I was always preparing myself to come here.”

He has been a Board-Certified Family Physician since 2009. He went to college, medical school, and did his residency training in New England. He has outstanding work experience having worked in hospital settings, running a non-profit organization in Nicaragua, facilitating a Diabetes Empowerment Group, working on Cancer Center Symptom Management and is a Board-Certified Medical Acupuncturist. Dr. Dedam understands the trauma that Indigenous people face, and how that plays a significant role when it comes to health. He said, “The root of almost all health disparities in Native communities, other than some degree of poverty – varying by community, is trauma. Historical trauma and unfortunately ongoing childhood trauma.”

Dr. Dedam recognizes how cultural healing and practices can be beneficial to individuals. He has taken part in sweat lodge ceremonies and recently attended his first Mi’gmaw sweat lodge in Eel River Bar. He said, “I do think that ceremony and traditional practices have the potential of helping Native communities in that healing journey.”  Eventually, Dr. Dedam would love to bring more Indigenous medical staff and students to Listuguj to practice medicine.

LCHS Director, Donna Metallic, spoke about the importance of having a family doctor in the community. She stated that it was a long process for Dr. Dedam, and how exciting it is that it has now become a reality. She said, “It’s very important, because he’s a community member, he’s going to see firsthand, the realities of living in a First Nation community and addressing the colonization and the traumas.” Metallic spoke about the rise of addictions in the community, and how a doctor is needed more than ever.

LCHS recently had a meeting with the Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux (Ministry of Health and Social Services “MSSS”), Centre intégré de santé et de service sociaux (Integrated health and social services center “CISSS”), plus partners at the Maria hospital, Dr. Dedam and clinic staff at LCHS. LCHS expressed their needs through the Mawlugutijej Cancer project. They stressed that the community needs to feel connected and have access to health care and resources. Dr. Dedam will be working with a family of physicians with the Groupe de médecine de famille (Family Group Medicine “GMF”). There has been an agreement with the MSSS for Listuguj community members to be able to bypass any Medicare card issues they may be dealing with. There will be a Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ) navigator available at LCHS that will do applications for individuals who currently do not have a Medicare card.

Dr. Dedam will be offering house visits, he’ll be working closely with the Listuguj Community Social Services and the Listuguj Wellness Renewal Initiative, as well as Mawiomi Treatment Centre in Gesgapegiag and the Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal. Metallic said, “Dr. Dedam being here for the past few weeks, it’s been a whirlwind of visits, site visits, meeting with the different stakeholders that we have here, our sister community of Gesgapegiag as well. So that he really gets an understanding and a feel of what the portrait of our community is here.”

Dr. Dedam will begin his role as Physician at LCHS starting May 1st. Over the past few months, LCHS has been asking community members who do not have a family doctor, to contact them with their information. Those community members without a family doctor, will be taken as patients by Dr. Dedam, and will have access to his services. As of right now, Dr. Dedam will have an office at the Waqatasg Elders Facility.

If you have any questions regarding Dr. Dedam’s services, or for any other services offered at Listuguj Community Health Services, please call 418-788-2155.

Welcome Dr. Dedam!

By Ann Marie Jacques

Chief’s Message with Chief Scott Martin – April 2025

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In early April, our fishermen and fisher women in the community went out to start the snow crab season. On behalf of Chief and Council, and the community of Listuguj, we appreciate all your hard work. I wish you all a safe and prosperous season.

I hope you all had a great Easter, surrounded by friends and family. Looking forward to the nice weather ahead!

LMG Communications Department Working on New Video Initiative – ‘Ms’t No’gmaq

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The Listuguj Mi’gmaq Government (LMG) Communications department holds great importance within the organization, as well as the community as a whole. The department is responsible for updating social media (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn), LMG’s website, the Wi’gatign newsletter, video content, live-streaming events, photographing events, digital message boards and internal communications within LMG.  They work to promote and preserve the Mi’gmaw culture, language and traditions through these various media channels.

LMG’s Communications department consists of five employees who play pivotal roles in getting information out to the community:
– Communications Manager – Michael Isaac
– Media Journalist – Ann Marie Jacques
– Communications Officer – Julianne Wysote
-Multimedia Technician – Wayde Barnaby
– Graphic Designer – Kate McBrearty

The department would like to introduce a new project, ‘M’st No’gmaq – meaning, “All My Relations” in Mi’gmaw.  This will be another form of communication in Listuguj and another way to deliver information to community members.

What community members and viewers can expect to see on ‘M’st No’gmaq:
-Discussions on important topics in the community
-Information on LMG services and programs
-Interviews with leadership, LMG Directors/Managers/employees, Elders, youth and community members.

The videos will be a mix of live streams that give viewers the chance to comment and ask questions in real time, and pre-recorded videos that will feature appearances from special guests in the community.

If you have any suggestions on what you’d like featured on this new video initiative, send your feedback to feedback@listuguj.ca.

Keep an eye on LMG’s social media channels for upcoming information on ‘M’st No’gmaq!

By Ann Marie Jacques

Local Artist Spotlight – Lola Marie Vicaire

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Tell us about yourself.

“Gwe’ telwisi Lola Marie Vicaire, nesisgegipunai jel asugom aqq tleiawi Listuguj. ‘Ngij telwisit Janice Vicaire aqq nujjaq telwisipnaq Murvin Metallic. Gi’s nanipunqeg waiopsgwa’tegei. “

When did you learn how to bead, and how did you learn? 

“Amgweseweieg poqjiwaiopsgwa’tegeianeg na ‘ngij gegina’muip ta’n ‘teliltmg “necklace”. Etug pas’g ‘lluigneg te’sipunaiap na tujiw.

Toqo 2020-eg, getu’unjanianeg na ‘gsnugowaqan telwisig COVID ala’s’g’p. Newtugwa’lugweiap te’sigisg’g. Na tujiw poqjiwaiopsgwa’tegeiap aqq etuapnn nassaputaqann aqq keychain-l.”

What kind of products do you create?

“I create all kinds of beaded items but my favorite to make (and most requested) are floral earrings – they sparkle beautifully in the sun, and compliment everyone so well.”

Where do you find your inspiration when it comes to your beadwork/art?

“My inspiration comes from many things! Like the very first time I beaded with my Mother and learning to make the little flower necklaces is a core memory that means so much to me. I live right by the beach so sometimes I draw inspiration from the sparkle in the water or the colors of the sky as the sun is setting. And sometimes I get inspired by the beads themselves, and the way they catch the light and compliment one another. “

Tell us a bit about ‘Gsite’taqan Designs by Lola.

“Every piece of mine is a unique, long lasting, handcrafted heirloom. They are meaningful pieces that are meant to be cherished gifts, and that’s why I chose the name ‘Gsite’taqan. I’ve always been a creative and artistic person, and beadwork was a perfect fit for me. It all simply began as a creative outlet, which over the span of 5 years turned into full time business. My overall goal is to have my own creative studio and boutique, a place where I can collaborate with other artists and continue sharing my love for beadwork with others. “

Can you tell us about any future projects you have in store?
Stay tuned!

If someone was looking to purchase an item, what is the best way to contact you?

I can easily be reached at Gsitetaqan.designs@gmail.com, Instagram:  gsitetaqan_designs or on Facebook.