REZ D.A.W.G.S

Alex Isaac and Dylan Dedam are the new Cultural Educators/ Male Mentors with Families First at the Listuguj Community Social Services Directorate. They aim to share and support boys and teens, ages eight to fifteen, in their Rez D.A.W.G.S. program. D.A.W.G.S. stands for Developing Awareness, Wisdom, Growth, and Strength. Aiming for once a week the group meets to explore on the land learning, different activities, talking circles, and cultural teachings.

Giving the boys a consistent and safe space to share positivity and find identity and a sense of belonging that they can sometimes lack. At first, the group discussed rules, and while Isaac and Dedam had their own, the group added to the list together. Some of the rules the youth had come up with were “always be respectful, don’t be afraid to be yourself, and no man gets left behind.” As the program is just beginning, there’s still plenty of space for growth and learning to do along the way, but with a focus on always supporting the youth.

“We would like to extend a sincere thank you to Mike O’Toole, Todd Williams, and the entire Campbellton Tigers organization for their donation of tickets to our program in support of helping us give our youth all of the opportunities that we can to enjoy positive experiences in their lives. The Campbellton Tigers and Listuguj Rez D.A.W.G.S. will be working in collaboration on future ideas to keep bringing new pathways to life for our youth.”

Kaydence Molley’s Journey into Esthetics

For some, choosing a career path can be instant; for others, it can be a journey to find out what fits along the way. For Kaydence Molley, the decision to pursue esthetics wasn’t the plan at first but quickly became something she learned to love. “I was really thinking about doing psychology, I think I doubted myself a little bit.” She admitted. When Molley started at L’institut Jon rayMond, she was unsure if she made the right decision “I was a little confused about if this is really what I wanted to do,” she says. But as she became more involved in the program and gained hands-on experience, her perspective began to shift.

“I remember telling myself and talking to my classmates, I just need to learn how to love it. This is still new to me.” That’s exactly what Molley did. Now, after graduating from L’institut Jon rayMond in esthetics, Molley offers a wide variety of services at AM Esthetics, including massage, waxing, manicures, and pedicures, with hopes of continuing to expand her knowledge.

Although she enjoys many aspects of esthetics, massage has become a particular passion. Molley found an unexpected love for anatomy, including muscles, the respiratory system, the nervous system, lymphatic drainage, and the science behind massage. She hopes to continue learning more about massage therapy “I feel like there’s more out there for me to learn,” she explains.

Moving from a classroom to working independently in AM Esthetics has been a refreshing change that Molley welcomes. Her experience working in different spas helped her recognize what kind of workplace suited her best and what she expects for her career.
Today, she values the independence of her work, but just as importantly, she enjoys the relationships she builds with her clients. “The conversation is a really big thing for me, I like to connect with my clients.” For Molley, being an esthetician isn’t only about providing a service. It’s also about meeting people and creating connections. Working within the community has made those connections even more meaningful. She especially enjoys the lively atmosphere and familiar faces. For her, these treatments are about more than simply looking good, but about feeling good. “People don’t realize how much of a difference these things make.”

From being unsure of her path to discovering a true passion for the profession, Molley’s journey has been full of exploration, growth, and connection. To book a service with Kaydence Molley, you can reach out through AM Esthetics on Facebook.

Baunaby’s Pizza: From Their Home to Yours

Olivia (Liv) Metallic (Baun) and Calvin William (CW) Barnaby combined their names to create Baunaby’s. A local pizza, lemonade, and wings takeout from their home to yours. The name Baunaby’s is not just a witty name but a reflection of the family behind the business: “We’re a mixed, blended family. It just clicks. People kind of call us the Baunaby’s now. It’s more personal to us,” said Liv.

What began as a love for food and a passion for cooking became something more. Often preparing meals for sports games and for friends and family, the couple knew they could take it a step further. After discovering his mom had a pizza oven lying around, CW began a long road of testing multiple recipes, perfecting his dough, and even taste-testing other local pizza spots to compare with his own. Meanwhile, Liv took on developing her own wings recipe, which quickly became a fan favourite. The couple prepares the wings before finishing them in their high-temperature oven, giving them a smoky flavor and char.

The two began researching how to use the high-temperature pizza oven and soon discovered they could produce a pizza with a cooking time of two and a half minutes at temperatures reaching approximately 850 degrees Fahrenheit. This was quite an adjustment for CW, cooking at such high heat without burning or undercooking the pizza. Now, with their current oven, they are operating at about thirty ten-inch pizzas an hour but are always working to expand. Baunaby’s newest addition that helps the business run more smoothly is their debit machine. This has made payment options quick and easy for both the business and it’s customers.

Though the two have experienced the demands of running a small business while working full-time jobs and raising their children, they are encouraged by the overwhelming support they have received from the community. “We have so many customers that are returning over and over again; some of them, it’s every week.” Liv stated. For Liv and CW, the business is a commitment to growth and a constant work in progress. The couple has taken their business on the road multiple times to several powwows, community events, and neighboring communities. Each event is another opportunity to learn, improve their setup, and understand what their customers want. Ultimately, their goal is to take what they have built together from their home and bring it to a larger audience, with hopes for future expansion. Ideas of a food truck or a restaurant space with an aim for a wider reach at events and within the community. “This is totally the beginning,” Liv said. “We’re getting a lot of attention. We have people that want more.” For now, Baunaby’s is continuing to build its reputation in the community, one pizza, one event, and one customer at a time.

Pair your pizza or wings with a refreshing flavoured lemonade, an iced coffee, and garlic fingers for a sure way to experience the full extent of their menu. Baunaby’s is now offering family deals and pizza party options.

You can place an order with Baunaby’s by contacting their Facebook page, Baunaby’s Pizza and Lemonades. You can also text or call 581-884-0191