Mawiomi Treatment Center – Supporting Individuals with Addictions Culturally and Clinically

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The Mawiomi Treatment Center in Gesgapegiag was developed in 1986. The goal of the center was to provide treatment both culturally and clinically to those battling addiction. It was initially built to help serve the people of Gesgapegiag and Listuguj, but has grown into something much more, and has become a significant resource to people all over Quebec, and the Maritimes. The center was closed for renovations in May this year and re-opened in August with new features and updates.

The center is an eight-bed residential facility and offers a six-week treatment service for those battling with substance abuse and addictions. The treatment center consists of over 20 staff members. There are various types of healing treatments and plans that are practiced in the facility. There is a culture program, in which traditional healers offer ceremonies, sweat lodges, cultural teachings, medicine picking, and more. There are clinical-based workshops available as well, aiding those with mental health concerns, depression, anxiety, and more. As of recently, the center has a partnership with a local psychologist who provides one hour of therapy each week to clients in the facility.  After the six-week treatment program is complete, there are aftercare counselors who follow up with the clients for up to 18 months.

Melissa Bryan is the Executive Director at the Mawiomi Treatment Center. She took on this position a year ago but has been working at the center for four years. When it comes to the center, Bryan said, “It has really evolved over the years, more importantly the last five years. I’ve noticed a big shift in the service delivery. We’re no longer just providing a roof over individual’s heads and keeping them sober for six weeks, it’s more than that. We’re trying to evolve into pre-treatment services, aftercare, tapping into family resources, family support, and outreach and outpatient services.”

The center offers a LiveChat which is available 24/7 to anyone looking for support and guidance. There are staff who work all day and throughout the night on this chat, “They are well trained in responding to some of those difficult situations and conversations. All of them are also trained for suicide evaluations and suicide risk assessment,” said Bryan. You can find the LiveChat via Facebook, under the name, “Mawiomi LiveChat”. Other resources available are Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) meetings, which are open every Tuesday and Thursday evening for anyone to attend.

The staff at the Mawiomi Treatment Centre are incredibly supportive and knowledgeable when it comes to helping their clients. It’s important to be surrounded by loved ones, and support circles. Not only does addiction impact the individual battling it, but it also affects their family and the people around them. Regarding self-care and mental health, Bryan said, “We often don’t prioritize ourselves or take care of ourselves. We all have experienced some form of trauma, and with that, we kind of lose ourselves in it. Over years and years, it really affects the individual. It has a toll- so just seeing people be well. It’s no longer just being sober, or happy. You just want to be well.”

If you or a loved one is dealing with the effects of substance abuse and addictions, the Mawiomi Treatment Center is always available to contact. They will provide you with information and resources to help you begin your journey to wellness.

You can find contact information on Facebook on their page, “Mawiomi Treatment Center” or on their website: https://www.mawiomi.org/

By Ann Marie Jacques

Mi’gmawei Mawio’mi Secretariat Hosts a Disco-Themed Golf Tournament at the Restigouche Golf Club!

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The 14th Annual MMS Golf Tournament saw the much-awaited return after a long hiatus due to the pandemic and was held on September 22, 2023, at the Restigouche Golf Club.

With over ten teams registered, the winners of the competition were:

(First Place): Casen Martin, Remis Paradis, Derek Mulcahy, Gilles Legacy
(Second Place): Bob Smith, Ryan Valdron, Kenny Valdron, Alex Doucet 
(Third Place):  Philippe Bujold, Jasmine LeBlanc, Miguel LeBlanc, Jean Philippe Perron

Closest to the pin: 

Erika Marchand

Alex Doucet

Longest Drive:

Amanda Larocque

Jean Philippe Perron

Best Dressed:

Kelvin Jacques, Kelvin Jacques Jr., Winston Barnaby, Dakota Barnaby

The MMS wishes to acknowledge the MMS Golf Committee – their dedication and meticulous planning ensured that every facet of the event ran smoothly. We are grateful to everyone and all the sponsors who contributed to making this day a success.

Listuguj Mi’gmaq GovernmentBijouterie Prestige JewellersProvigoHR ReflexionMitchell’s ConvenienceInnergexMi’gmawei Mawiomi Secretariat
La Nation Mic Mac de GespegArco LumberDéjà VuPet ValuPops DispensaryMeubles KlomieZoe’s Bakery
Micmacs of Gesgapegiag BandAllen Paquet Arseneau LLPBarnaby’s GroceryListuguj Social ServicesBLGLori Ann RonnessKent’s Building Supplies Atholville
Casino 88Exterminex LTDMillennium Pool & LeisureIGARemaxSmoke BoxPLC Info.
Vision FordJ’s BarbershopGreco CampbelltonAV Group NB Inc.Dixie LeePort of/de Belledune 
Listuguj Mi’gmaq Development CenterTim Horton’sJohnson’s FurnitureDecoration BeatriceLex BoutiqueRiverside Dispensary 
Restigouche River OutfittersPavage J.R. Lagace Paving Inc.Quality Inn CampbelltonToyotaLocations LeBlanc RentalsEarly Bird Company 
Gesgapegiag Lobster HutCampbellton Auto Supplies Ltd. (NAPA)Gagnon StrategixPro X SportsCarpet RanchLavoie Home Hardware Building Centre Store 

Mi’gmawei Mawio’mi Secretariat Congratulates the Newly Elected Chief of Gesgapegiag

The Mi’gmawei Mawio’mi Secretariat congratulates the newly elected Gesgapegiag Chief Rod Larocque and the Council on the recent August election. We eagerly anticipate future collaborations and, together, amplify our voices to advance shared objectives.

Coming Soon! Launch of the Mi’gmawei Mawio’mi Secretariat’s new website

www.migmawei.ca

The Mi’gmawei Mawio’mi Secretariat (MMS) is thrilled to announce that our new website will be designed to provide users with an accessible and updated site.

What can you expect?

Updates from MMS Units: Navigate through the sections for the latest news, initiatives, and activities from each of the MMS units. The website aims to keep the public updated and informed.

Meet our team: Get familiar with the profiles of the MMS team and gain insights into their roles, expertise, and contributions to the Secretariat.

Resource archive: Browse through a compilation of resources highlighting significant milestones from the past 20 years, like annual reports and the Gespisg. We will also showcase the past Mi’gmaq Writers Awards and the Elder’s Awards to celebrate and honour the voices and talents of our communities.

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

Introducing LMG’s new CEO – Bassem Abdrabou

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The Listuguj Mi’gmaq Government is pleased to announce the acquisition of the new Chief Executive Officer, Bassem Abdrabou. Abdrabou has taken on the role officially as of June 31st this year.

Abdrabou has a very impressive repertoire of education and work experience. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering, as well as a Master’s Degree in Building Engineering and Construction Management.

He began his career with the Listuguj Mi’gmaq Government in 2017 in the Capital and Infrastructure Directorate and has managed more than a hundred million dollars worth of projects in Listuguj. He has worked hard over the years to gain the trust of funders and offered his expertise in all major projects in the community.

Abdrabou feels there are a lot of opportunities for improvement and growth while working in Listuguj. He has worked with several private sectors and international organizations in the past but states it is rewarding to see the beneficial effect on the community directly. He said, “I believe the success stories we have in Capital could be replicated in all LMG. I can work hand-in-hand with the directors and support them, help them achieve their goals, and improve all the services.”

His plans as the new CEO are to ensure that all the services available in the Capital Directorate are brought above the National Standard, more economic development in the community, and to assist in providing all the needs required from housing to health care in Listuguj.

Abdrabou will also continue to maintain the role of Interim Director of the Capital and Infrastructure Directorate for the time being.

By Ann Marie Jacques

Mi’gmawei Mawio’mi Secretariat

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The Mi’gmawei Mawio’mi Secretariat’s mission to gather, engage, and inform the people of Gespe’gewa’gi. We are dedicated to providing you with relevant information to keep you informed and engaged in the affairs of our community and ensure that you are involved in every step of our Nation’s development in Gespe’gewa’gi.

To further facilitate communication and engagement, we have established a dedicated email address that serves as a direct line of communication between you and the Secretariat. We encourage you to contact us at stayconnected@migmawei.ca with your inquiries, feedback, and suggestions. We are here to listen and respond to your needs.

As part of our commitment to transparency and keeping you well-informed, we will regularly publish public documentation such as press/news releases, Gespisig, annual reports and Gnuataqan. These public releases highlight important developments, achievements, and announcements within our community. You can find the information on our website, ensuring you are updated with the latest happenings in Gespe’gewa’gi.

Join Our Team! At the MMS, we are always seeking new, fresh perspectives and talents to join our team. We are currently establishing our resume bank and see you contributing your unique skills and ideas to our communication efforts. Whether you have experience in public relations, content creation, administration, governance, environment, territory stewardship, management, social media management, or community outreach, we welcome your expertise. Together, we can create effective communication strategies that resonate with our community members and promote meaningful engagement.

If you are interested in joining our team, please submit your interest and resume at resume@migmawei.ca. We look forward to hearing from you and exploring the possibilities of working together to serve the Citizens of Gespe’gewa’gi.

Our new website www.migmawei.ca will soon be available and be sure to visit regularly for the latest news, press releases, and updates. Together, we can build a stronger, more informed, and more connected community.

If you have any questions, suggestions, or feedback, please don’t hesitate to contact us at stayconnected@migmawei.ca. Your input is invaluable to us as we work towards our shared vision for Gespe’gewa’gi.

By Chastity Mitchell

CCP’s Youth Art Gala Night

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With great success the CCP Team hosted the Listuguj Youth Art Gala on Monday, August 21, 2023.

Over 100 art pieces and essay submission were showcased, all thanks to the insightful and beautiful minds of our Listuguj youth.

Wela’lioq to the 125+ people who took time out of their busy schedules to come and support our youth and CCP Planning in Listuguj. It was a blast to share experiences with you!

I would specifically like to acknowledge the Art Gala preparation team (see picture)– Alicia Simon, Tamara Jacques, Felicia Mitchell, Kayla Isaac and Jasmyn Nicholson. Your hard work made all the difference!

As well as our much-appreciated volunteers, Yasmine Isaac, Casey Metallic, James Simon and Camden Metallic.

Also, our event would not have been possible without the participation from the following.

LMG Economic Development Unit

Listuguj Community Development Centre

LMG Communications Department

CHRQ Radio

FM Sounds & CJRZ Radio

JB Toys & Novelty

Decoration Services from Rose Metallic

Amelia Rioux, Emma Metallic & Hailey Swasson (Kid Activity Supervisors)

Zoe’s Bakery

Christine Desjardins (Caterer)

Ismael Lavallee (Facepainting)

Don Bernard (Magic Show)

Xpress Printing

Welteg

This event sprouted from a beautiful idea from CCP Assistant Coordinator, Alicia Simon. Let’s keep up the good work! Community planning is important – especially for our future generations.

Wela’lioq m’set wen!

  • Dawn Germain-Metallic, CCP Coordinator for Listuguj

Listuguj Pow Wow

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Rain or shine, the spirit of Listuguj Powwow shines bright. Together, we’ve proven that nothing can dampen the spirit of our powwow family.

A heartfelt thank you goes out to our vendors for their dedication and determination in serving our visitors, despite the challenging conditions. Your creativity and commitment truly shined this weekend!

Thank you to all of our guests for braving the wet and muddy conditions to come out and support our vendors, dancers, and drummers.

To all the incredible Powwow Family, thank you for bringing your dance talent and song into the Arena. You guys ARE the powwow ❤

Special thanks to our elders Rose Ann Martin and Michael Martin for the Sunrise Ceremony.

To our firekeepers John Paul Lavigne, Tim Adams, and Gullege Isaac.

To our grounds keeper John Paul Lavigne for all his hardwork.

To our volunteers who were here daily leading up to the event.

To Chief Scott Martin and Council.

To our Golden Age headdancers Chris Sanipass and Rebecca Sanipass, our Youth headdancers Jacob Bernard and Honour Young-Stephens, and last but not least our head dancers Owen Mayo and Kwena Boivin.

To Our Host Drum Crazy Spirit

To our Guest drum Wabanaki Confederacy

To our Emcee Trevor Gould

To our Arena Director Christian Barnaby

To our Drum Director Joshua Dedam

To our sound Director Shamu Martin

To Ronnie Swasson Moffat for keeping our grass upkept.

To BlackBear cadets for always being happy to volunteer.

Special thanks to those who directed traffic and parking, the sanitary and garbage team, the runners and golf card Driver.

Huge thank you to our feast and breakfasts cooks for serving a delicious meal for all of our guests. And to our coffee baristas for serving coffee all weekend long.

Thank you to the Moffat Family for sharing your space with Powwow.

Huge thank you to all of our sponsors for your support.

-LMG

-TD Bank

-MRC Avignon

-LPD and LFD

-Indigenous Reconciliation Fund (Gaspe dioces and Hamilton Dioces)

-Heritage Canada

-Desjardins

-City of Campbellton

-Meubles Klomie

-LFG Construction

-Dedams Grocery

-Wysotes Corner Store

-Arco lumber

-Groupe Lebel

-Atholville Mill

-MMBC

-Mi’gmaq Star

-Popoff Morrison

-Restaurant Pastalli

-GDS

-CN Rail

-Home Hardware

-Mahers Funeral

-Pecheries Merinard

-Pharmacy Louis-Alexis

-Moms Dufy Free

-NAPA Auto Parts

-Barnabys Grocery

-Nadia Wysote

-JM Arsenault

-Canadian Tire

-Jeromes Grocery

-Initinative

-Elizabeth wilmot

-Derek Condo

-Jeanette Henry

-Elizabeth Wilmot

-Healing Stitches

-George Martin Rez411

-Abby Metallic

-Welteg

-Honour Young-Stephens

Last but not least thanks to Lita Isaac for 31 years of dedication and to all of the powwow committee for coming together to pull this event off.

Without everyone above we would not have a powwow. You guys are appreciated!

Wela’lioq!

-Nation Isaac, Powwow Coordinator

Listuguj Community Garden

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Garden coordinator Sue Ann Clement began working in the community garden in 2019. At that time, the garden was on a small plot measuring roughly one acre, but today the space has increased to 13 acres. Currently, one acre is used for food for the community.

Clement said, “I’d love to be able to keep the one acre for the community and the other 12 acres we developed, to start selling for CSA (Community Support Agriculture) baskets.”  For this to happen, the garden staff require more equipment and machinery.

The garden is run by nine employees in total, and all the labour is done manually. “Everything we do is by hand. We pick by hand; we make the beds and rows by hand. When it comes to bugs – everything is by hand, we don’t spray any chemicals. Everything is all-natural,” Clement said.

The need for the community garden really escalated when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. There were few grocery and fresh food options for community members and travelling across the J. C. Van Horne Bridge came with challenges. Clement knew that this was the time for Listuguj to be self-sufficient and provide the community with locally grown vegetables. After its success during COVID-19, the garden staff continued to work hard and provide food for the community.

There is a wide variety of vegetables available in the garden. Various types of tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, onions, lettuce, kale, and much more.

The garden staff works in critical weather conditions to ensure Listuguj has access to freshly harvested produce. Clement said, “The crew goes above and beyond. I did the planning and numbers, but it’s them who created the garden. They made it come to life.”  The staff each bring something different to the table and offer different skills and techniques when it comes to the art of gardening.

The Listuguj Community Garden is run seasonally from May to October, and it is located on Bordeaux Road just past the Etlinpisulti’gw Healing Grounds. The staff’s hard work and hospitality do not go unnoticed, and the community thrives on their services.

By Ann Marie Jacques

Reintroducing Listuguj’s Comprehensive Community Plan

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The comprehensive community plan (CCP) was developed in 2012 by Chief Dean Vicaire, his administration at the time, and was coordinated by Tracey Metallic in collaboration with Dalhousie University. The plan was put into motion to collect feedback from community members and to use this data as a tool for long-term community development. The plan was put on hold, picked up again in 2016/2017 by Economic Development, and coordinated by Alicia Simon (Isaac).  “Coming together and making a community-led plan was something that really spoke to me,” Isaac said.

Germain-Metallic joined the coordinating team in 2017. Simon and Germain-Metallic engaged with over 400 people, they held several events, feasts, and more. The plan was updated in 2017 and was given the title: Listuguj Mi’gmaq Community Plan (LMCP), it was adopted in March 2018 and has been in implementation since then.

It has been five years since the LMCP was revised and Germain-Metallic and Simon have returned to meet with community members and re-evaluate the plan. This time around, Germain-Metallic is taking on the role of Comprehensive Community Planning Coordinator, and Simon is the Assistant Coordinator. Germain-Metallic said, “To see it at the very beginning stage, to have it officially adopted, to go through five years of watching the community work on it, and grow with it, and then to be able to come back and do the revision, I’m excited about that.”

Back in 2012 and 2017, the data received helped identify four major action areas for Listuguj:

Action Area 1 – Healthy Community
Action Area 2 – Environmental and Resource Stewardship
Action Area 3 – Entrepreneurship and Employment
Action Area 4 – Mi’gmaq Laws and Governance

The CCP team will touch base with community members to see how they feel about these areas, if they still consider them a priority, and how Listuguj has been working to achieve these important aspects. They are expecting to receive similar results to the ones from previous years, with an emphasis on these four action areas.

This time around the team will be engaging with all community members but are really interested in the feedback from the youth in Listuguj. Since they are the future generation, it is important to hear their thoughts and concerns when it comes to the existing LMCP, and what they feel would be beneficial to adjust. They have met with various youths and Simon said, “We ask them, ‘What do you envision 25 years from now?’ It might seem like a long time, but it goes by so fast. The kids pick up on so much in the community.”


The team stressed that the community plan is so much more than a list of project ideas for Listuguj Mi’gmaq Government directors to take on. Germain-Metallic said, “It’s an overview of your entire community all at once, projected itnto the future.” Not only is the plan important for the constant growth and well-being in Listuguj, but if there is no plan in place, there is a chance the community will not be considered for funding opportunities.

The CCP team, which includes an advisory committee, is very eager to engage with various groups of people of all demographics.  Their goal is to collect data over the summer and craft a new plan with the updated information in the fall months. The plan will then be presented to the general community, and once it has been validated, it will be presented to Chief and Council for formal adoption. Once the plan has been adopted, the team can work with the entire Listuguj organization to put plans into motion to achieve some of these goals.

You can find Listuguj’s current community plan on Listuguj Mi’gmaq Government’s official website. If you would like to meet with the CCP team and share your opinions on the plan, or what you feel could benefit the community of Listuguj as a whole, you can contact Dawn Germain-Metallic at dawn.germain@listuguj.ca, or Alicia Simon (Isaac) at alicia.isaac@listuguj.ca. The team will also be hosting various workshops over the summer months open to all community members.

Be on the lookout for future Wi’gatign issues for updates on the Listuguj Mi’gmaq Community Plan!

By Ann Marie Jacques