And the award for best tasting water goes to… Listuguj!

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On September 24th, Listuguj’s Public Works Department participated in a competition organized by the Circuit Rider Training Program (CRTP) and Indigenous Services Canada’s First Nation and Inuit Health Branch at an annual banquet in Montreal.

Listuguj competed against approximately 23 First Nations communities to see which community had the best tasting water. In the end, there was a “taste-off” between the Innu community of Unamen Shipu and Listuguj.

Listuguj won first place for the best tasting water and took home “The Stanley Drop/ La Goute Stanley.”

Congratulations to the team for winning this award and providing the community with fresh, clean, drinkable water!

Listuguj’s Public Works Department goes above and beyond all year round, to ensure the community has good quality drinking water.  There are several daily, weekly, monthly and yearly tasks that need to be performed to maintain the fresh water in the community.

Shout out to the team:
Marc LeMay – Trainer and Instructor
Joshua Isaac – Public Works Manager/Operator
Gunner Isaac – Fresh Water Treatment Operator
John Loren Wysote – Fresh Water Treatment Operator and Wastewater Plant Operator
Andrea Mitchell – In Training for Water and Wastewater Operator

By Ann Marie Jacques

New Cancer Screening Initiative – Listuguj Community Health Services

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The Listuguj Community Health Services has partnered with the National Canadian Partnership Against Cancer (CPAC) and the Quebec Integrated Health and Social Services (CISSS) to deliver a two (2) year in-community cancer screening pilot project.  The overall objective of Mawlugutinej – “Let’s Work Together” is to provide information, medical care and a path to resources on the prevalent cancers impacting Listuguj community members and their families.

The LCHS is proud to introduce Ms. Tanya Webster as the Mawlugutinej Project Manager.  With her medical background, she brings both a wealth of experience in the field, and a strong skill set with program management.  She will continue to foster the partnerships between Listuguj, the CISSS and Maria Hospital when it comes to cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatments.

Through the continuum of care, the project will implement strategies that will positively impact wait times for medical appointments, referrals and results.  Mawlugutineg will bridge the existing gap in cancer services through the Province, and advocate for community members as they navigate the medical channels to receive the most appropriate care.

The LCHS hosted a ‘Lunch N’ Learn’ in early September to introduce the Mawlugutinej Project to our community members.  The focus on the discussion centered on Cervical Cancer Screening moderated by our own Nurse-In-Charge, Ms. Jennifer Caplin, R.N. and Tanya Webster.  The session was well attended by women of all ages from our community, and the feedback and interest on the information provided was very positive and encouraging.

With this Mawlugutineg Project, our Medical Team will be developing a free vaccination program for school age children (Grade 4) to 20 years of age.  A small fee will be required for female community members over the age of 20 who wish to get the vaccine.  The Team will also be looking into self-screening kits, and in the meantime, Listuguj Community Members can receive cervical cancer screenings here at our own Community Health Center.

To be eligible for in-community cervical cancer screenings, individuals must:

  • Be a Listuguj Community Member
  • Be between 25 to 65 years of age
  • Have a cervix
  • Have been sexually active
  • Have a valid Quebec Medicare Card

To obtain more information on this new resource, or to schedule your cervical cancer screening, contact the LCHS at 418-788-2155.

By Listuguj Community Health Services

Post Majority – Supporting Young Adults

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The Listuguj Community Social Services Directorate (LCSSD) offers a Post-Majority Program which was started to help youth who are aging out of Foster or Kindship care services. Lydia Barnaby is the Post-Majority Care Coordinator since May 2023, she said, “When I first heard of the program being implemented in Listuguj, I was excited and knew I wanted to be part of it.”

The Post-Majority Program is available to young adults from the time they turn 18, until their 26th Birthday. Barnaby said, “We recognized that there is a gap in support services and want to find ways that we can help individuals thrive on their journey into adulthood.” The services that are offered range from safe housing, educational support, financial support, physical, mental and social well-being support and cultural supports.

The program really takes into consideration the individual and works with them to create plans based on their needs, goals, and plans. It also recognizes that some of the individuals may face inter-generational trauma due to the hardships of being raised in care.

If you would like more information on the Post-Majority program, please contact Lydia Barnaby at 418-788-3039, or lydia.barnaby@listuguj.ca. You can also visit LCSSD at 2 Gef St.

By Ann Marie Jacques

Honouring the Late Lloyd Jacques and Vincent Martin

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On August 14th, a water ceremony and monument unveiling were held on the wharf on Marshall Way to honour the late Lloyd Jacques and Vincent Martin. Both men who lost their lives on the water practicing the Mi’gmaw’s inherent rights to fish.

The event began with an introduction from Dr. Cathy Martin. A prayer and water ceremony were done by Elder Roseann Martin. Seven tobacco offerings were placed on a tree. Followed by smudging the waters, and the Mi’gmaq Honour Song.

Chief Scott Martin thanked everyone for making the monument and event possible in the community. He said, “It’s an honour to be here. I want to thank all the fishermen who fish and exercise their rights – whether it’s commercial – it’s the way of our life. We want to keep it traditional.”

Director of Natural Resources, Dr. Fred Metallic reflected on Vincent’s infectious smile, saying, “When he would smile, you’d have to smile with him.” He also spoke about Lloyd’s peaceful presence.

Marcy Jacques spoke on behalf of the Jacques family and honoured her father, Lloyd, who passed away in 2014 on the Gulf of St. Lawrence. She also spoke about how it is important to continue to respect the waters, as it provides us with food and medicine to help sustain our lives.

Joanne Martin spoke on behalf of the Martin and Jacob family and honoured her brother, Vincent. Vincent passed away in 2004 while salmon fishing. Martin said, “It has been many years since he has left us in 2004, but the pain of that feels like it was yesterday.”

Both Marcy Jacques and Joanne Martin unveiled the monument, which consisted of photos of both the late fishermen along with epitaphs, and a Mi’gmaw transcription in the center that reads:

apjiw
gepmite’lmanej aqq angite’lmanej
‘ms’t usgewinu’g
O’ Gisu’lgw, etamuleg angweiwan
ta’nig elta’jig etlinsanoqonig
apaqtug, ‘gta’nug, aqq ta’n te’s’g sipu

English translation:

Let us forever honour and remember all fishers. Oh creator, we ask that you watch over those who head to the risky waters of the ocean, the sea, and rivers.

By Ann Marie Jacques

Cultural Reclamation Workshops with Hannah Vicaire

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Listuguj’s Hannah Vicaire is the Community Engagement and Cultural Officer with the Legacy of Hope Foundation (LHF) in Ottawa. She has been involved with this organization since 2022, and travels to different communities in Canada with her colleague Tara Devlin. On their travels, they offer a number of cultural and traditional workshops such as ribbon skirt making and drum making. These workshops aid in preserving traditional knowledge and practices. Vicaire also offers free financial literacy and attends pow wows and conferences giving more insight on the LHF.

A little about the Legacy of Hope Foundation, from their website:

We are a national Indigenous charitable organization with the mandate to educate and create awareness and understanding about the Residential School System, Including the intergenerational impacts such as the removal of generations of Indigenous children from their families, including the Sixties Scoop, the post traumatic stress disorders that many First Nations, Inuit, and Metis continue to experience, all while trying to address racism, foster empathy and understanding and inspire action to improve the situations of Indigenous People today. The LHF supports the ongoing healing process of Residential School Survivors, and their families and seeks their input on projects that honour them. 

Vicaire became passionate about traditional crafts at a young age, and started sewing with her grandmother, Theresa Wilmot. When her grandmother passed away, she lost this passion, until a year or two later when she worked with the Listuguj Pow Wow Committee as a student worker.  It was then she realized she wanted to get back to pursuing cultural practices.

When it comes to Vicaire’s knowledge and craft, she said, “An elder from Toronto came to Ottawa and she showed me the basics of how to make a ribbon skirt, then after that I started to watch more videos and started to teach myself more stuff about it.” Since working with the LHF, Vicaire has dabbled in making ribbon skirts, medicine bags, drums, bracelets, keychains, moccasins, mittens, vests, and feather holders.

There is a significant importance of ribbon skirts and preserving traditions. Vicaire mentioned how much of a positive impact they can have, and how they allow connection and empowerment. Vicaire said, “Seeing that the skirts make a positive impact whether they’re buying it, or making it shows me how important they are. They create a space for non-indigenous people to be curious and ask questions, which lead to bigger conversations about Indigenous people.”

Vicaire plans on offering more workshops and travelling to different communities in the future. She continues to broaden her skills and revitalize traditions in her everyday life.

By Ann Marie Jacques

Introducing “Wi’gue’g Resilience Night”

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In July, the Listuguj Community Social Services Directorate (LCSSD) introduced its Wi’gue’g Resilience Night- open to all 2SLGBTQIA+!

Resilience Nights are organized by Administrator, Mimiges Delarosbil and Youth Protection Delegate, Morgan Campbell. Delarosbil is responsible for content creation and planning the event’s activities, and Campbell can provide individuals with educational information and materials regarding the topics discussed during Resilience Nights, or that center around 2SLGBTQIA+.

These events serve as a safe space to converse and connect with others. Every month, a schedule will be released with planned activities. Some of these activities include beading, friendship bracelet making, simplified quillwork with toothpicks, pinch pottery and more. In past events, discussions were had about an upcoming information session for the community of Listuguj.  Delarosbil said, “We’re going to be hosting a night for the community where they can ask questions and learn how to ask respectful boundary acknowledging questions.” As it is only natural to be curious and ask questions, it’s important to educate on how to do this respectfully and politely.

As of right now, there are not many events held like this in the Restigouche area, therefore it is an important resource in Listuguj that helps to build a safer and accepting community.  “I know it’s something that I really wanted to see, and it’s nice to see so many people reaching out,” said Delarosbil.

The event is open to anyone of all ages and is being held at the LCSSD Building on 2 Gef St. every Wednesday from 5:00PM to 7:30PM. Refreshments and snacks will be served. Please note, no registration is required for Resilience Nights. Monthly activities will be posted on Listuguj Mi’gmaq Government’s Facebook page in advance.

For more information, please contact the Listuguj Community Social Services Directorate at 418-788-3039.

By Ann Marie Jacques

A BACK-TO-SCHOOL SAFETY MESSAGE FROM THE LISTUGUJ POLICE DEPARTMENT 

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The Listuguj Police Department would like to remind the public that School Zone speed limits will resume as of the morning of September 3, 2024 in the designated locations. (Caplin Road in front of the AGS, Riverside East in front of the Education Complex, and Pacific Drive from LMDC to the Daycare). 

Also, please ensure the safety of students getting on and off the bus by always obeying the signals of the School Bus.  Failure to respect the school bus signals can result in public injury and an infraction ticket being issued.

Example of Infractions: 

Speeding in a School Zone: 

[Example if you are doing 50km/hr in a posted 30km/hr School Zone], Section 329 of the HSC = $200.00 fine and 3 points from your driver’s license. 

Failure to Stop for a School bus while red flashing signals are activated and stop signal: 

Section 460 of the HSC = $313.00 and 9 points from your driver’s license. 

While social media is a great way to stay in touch and update with friends and family, we ask you to limit the information shared about your child/children who are headed back to school no matter your privacy or security settings, this is all information that predators and scammers would love to know.

Recommending maybe keeping a personal photo for yourself as a keepsake, of all their first day back to school should you wish to include more information.

The LPD staff would also like to wish all the students a safe and happy return to school, we hope you have an awesome year! 

Wela’lioq 

Chief of Police Sharon Barnaby

Listuguj Police Department 

We appreciate the public’s co-operation, as this is for the safety of our community and children. 

Local Artist Spotlight – Felicia Mitchell

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Felicia Mitchell was born and raised here in the community of Listuguj. She became a single mother at the age of 19 but that didn’t stop her from going on to obtain a highly impressive education. She graduated from community college in Miramichi, NB, obtaining a certificate in Human Services. After this, she obtained a diploma in Business Administration, and as of this Spring she graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree. She is currently the Business Development Advisor for the Natural Resources Directorate (Fisheries). While attending school and being a mother, she developed a passion for beading.

When Mitchell was in Miramichi for Community College, she had three teachers who impacted her immensely, and to show her gratitude, she asked her cousin to teach her how to make a beaded dream catcher as a gift to her teachers.  When Mitchell presented them with their beaded dream catchers, something just clicked. Mitchell said, “I witnessed their reactions with joy and happiness and showed their gratitude with big hugs. This was the feeling that I wanted to chase, knowing how something I made with my own hands could influence people, and just like that, BeadworkbyFelicia was accidentally born.”

Since Mitchell attended school in Campbellton, and not in Listuguj where culture classes were readily available, it wasn’t until she was in her early 20’s that she learned how to bead. She attended craft nights in the community with Lita Isaac and started with beaded dreamcatchers. After some time, she became skilled with quills, leather and various types of beads. Mitchell eventually developed her signature style of earring, called “BeadworkbyFelicia flowers” which consists of shiny glass gems and beads. This style is very intricate and simply one-of-a-kind. The stand-out flowers come in three different sizes and can also be put on badge reels.

Mitchell has several achievements when it comes to her craft. Her beadwork has been sent to all 10 provinces and three territories in Canada, as well as 46 out of the 50 states in America. Mitchell said, “My long-term goal is to reach all 50 states, so if you know anyone in Missouri, Alabama, West Virginia, or Delaware, send them my way!” Her dedicated Instagram page has over 6,000 followers, and her Facebook page has 6,000 likes and 7,000 followers. Mitchell has also collaborated with Indigenous company, Manitobah Mukluks, resulting in six custom pairs of mukluks with her signature beaded gem flowers.

Mitchell continues to bead and finds her inspiration in the beauty of the world. She will have her work available at the upcoming Autumn Festival and Craft Fair in the community on October 5th from 10AM to 5PM at the Listuguj Community Development Center (Bingo Hall.) You can follow BeadworkbyFelicia on Facebook to see available inventory or if she is accepting commissioned orders.

By Ann Marie Jacques

The Listuguj Rangers – Protecting Mi’gmaw Fishing and Hunting Rights Since 1994

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After the salmon raids of 1981, regulation and self-governance was needed in the community, therefore the Listuguj Rangers department was established in 1994. Since then, they have gone on to be an integral part of Listuguj: helping protect the Mi’gmaw’s fishing and hunting rights, assisting with Public Security and educating the public on the importance of conservation. As of today, the Listuguj Rangers have approximately 30 members on their team, six boats and 5 fully serviced trucks.

Don Leo Arsenault has an impressive and extensive work background. He was a US Marine in the 90’s, he worked for the Listuguj Police Department, he was a commercial fisherman, and has worked on and off as a Ranger in the community since 1998. Two years ago, he took on the role as Chief Ranger. When it comes to his role, Arsenault said, “Seeking out this job, and coming back to work here, it’s all about being out in nature. Just going to patrol on the river, it’s not a job per-se, when you’re out there, you feel like what people would feel on vacation.”

The Listuguj Rangers protect the Restigouche River and cover the annual salmon fishing season in June/July, rock crab fishing, and seasonal lobster fishing in Carleton. They now monitor a new zone for lobster fishing within Miguasha. They are also responsible for patrolling up in the woods during the Fall hunting season. They work to ensure all laws and agreements that have been implemented in the community are abided by and respected.

They collaborate with Public Security in the community when needed and will help with roadblocks and other duties as they arise. They donate and distribute salmon and lobster and take part in a number of fundraising events in the community.

Receiving training for Search and Rescue duties when needed in the community is a possibility for the future.  If an incident were to happen in the river, or in the woods, the Listuguj Rangers would be called to assist. Search and Rescue training would include the use of GPS and grid squares, and ensuring all surrounding areas are covered.

In June, 20 Rangers graduated from College d’Alma with a diploma in Wildlife Protection. This program provides in-depth training regarding wildlife and their habitats. Having official certification from the government opens more funding opportunities for the department.

Since 1994, the Listuguj Rangers have been managed under their own government, and have worked harmoniously with the community and surrounding areas. They continue to work to preserve, manage and conserve all natural resources and the right to fish and hunt.

By Ann Marie Jacques