Mitchell Isaac Named Coach for Canada’s 3D Archery Team

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Mitchell Isaac began archery in 2019. His children and wife were heavily involved in the sport, and Isaac eventually decided to give it a try. The first time he played, it didn’t go so well, but he didn’t get discouraged, he kept trying, and once he was shown the mechanics of how to properly shoot a bow, he quickly fell in love with it.

Isaac said, “Archery was something I never really saw myself doing growing up. I’m a trained hockey player, and hockey was the only thing I knew when it came to competitiveness.”

Isaac is now the owner of the Listuguj Archery Club, and the Vice President of the Restigouche Archery Club, located in Atholville, New Brunswick. During the indoor season, Isaac practices in Atholville at Alma Hall, and during the outdoor season, he shoots and trains in Listuguj. Isaac is responsible for managing and coordinating archery in Listuguj and setting up ranges in the paintball field and ball field in the community. 

Earlier this month it was announced that Isaac has been selected to be the coach for Canada’s 3D Archery Team at the 2024 World Archery 3D Championships. This will be held in Mokrice, Slovenia from September 30th to October 6th.  Last Fall there was a call out that Team Canada was looking for a manager and coach. Isaac applied for the coach’s position and was selected for an interview, ultimately landing him the title of coach.  This event takes place every two years, and the team is selected at Outdoor Nationals, which was held in 2023 in British Columbia. Any athlete who competed at the Nationals was eligible to be on Team Canada.

Isaac will be coaching 20 adult athletes from all over Canada. Six athletes will be returning from the 2022 event. Isaac is currently working on obtaining his Competition Development Coaching Certification, which is the highest level you can get in Canada. He will be using this certification to help the team with strength and endurance training. There is a lot of training when it comes to the sport of archery, not only physically, but mentally. Visualization is important, as well as mental preparations for consistency.

“What’s really special about archery is the community that you become a part of,” said Isaac.

If you are interested in trying archery, you can reach out to Isaac via Facebook at Listuguj Archery Club or Restigouche Archery Club. During the indoor season, the first night is free, afterwards, those looking to practice archery must be a member of Archery New Brunswick, which comes with an annual fee for adults and children.

Good luck to Mitchell Isaac and Team Canada at the 2024 World Archery 3D Championships!

By Ann Marie Jacques

AGS Mascot Retires After 20+ Years

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Alaqsite’w Gitpu School’s mascot, Gitpu (meaning Eagle) was introduced to the community over 20 years ago. The mascot attended several school events, and activities over the years, and quickly became a staple of the school.

In November, it was announced that AGS would have a new mascot, Pi’gunji’j. Pi’gunji’j (meaning Little Feather) started as a nursery student and will grow with the students.

On February 28th, a retirement party was held at the school for Gitpu. The students said farewell to Gitpu and danced and celebrated with both mascots in attendance.

Wela’lieg Gitpu!

By Ann Marie Jacques

Waqatasg Elders Care Facility Update

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Listuguj’s Elders Care Facility, Waqatasg – meaning “Northern Light” has been in the works dating back to 2001. In 2023, the vision of Waqatasg officially became a reality, and the building’s construction was completed.

Back in November, it was announced that Rheal Raymond had taken on the role of Administrator of Waqatasg. He is working hard to ensure the facility is staffed with top-of-the-line, experienced workers who will go above and beyond for Listuguj’s Elders.  Raymond said there are two goals when it comes to the facility: “The main goal of Waqatasg is to bring back clients who are already placed in different facilities, to the community. The second goal is that once we’re fully operational, we shouldn’t have to transfer residents outside of the community.”

At this time, the facility has three doctors secured, Dre. Luce Picard, Dre.Marjolaine Leblanc-Roberge and Dre. Catherine Benoit. These doctors will regularly visit on a rotating basis and tend to residents. They will always be accessible via phone and email, and after each visit, will make recommendations to the nurses and staff on how to continue providing the utmost care to the residents.

Jarvis White has taken on the role of Environmental Services Supervisor. He will be supervising the custodians, watchmen, and laundry workers in the building. He is responsible for anything mechanical in the building, ventilation, HVAC, water, etc.

Tasha Doiron, who is currently working with the Listuguj Community Health Services at the Health Centre, has been working half days as an assistant to the Administrator.

As of right now, the kitchen has two employees. The Head Cook and Supervisor of the Kitchen is Catlin Irvine, and the Chef is Ryan Morrison. They are currently working on menu options, which will include traditional meals.  All food will be made and prepared in-house daily.

When it comes to staffing, the facility is facing challenges in finding nurses. The Listuguj Mi’gmaq Government Human Resources department is working hard to find candidates for nursing positions because Waqatasg cannot open its doors until nurses are in place. Waqatasg Elders Care Facility is currently looking for Long-Term Care Registered Nurses – two full-time and four part-time positions.

For nursing job postings, and other jobs available at Waqatasg Elders Care Facility, visit listuguj.ca/jobs.

By Ann Marie Jacques

Gina’mu Studio – A Place to Play and Learn

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Gina’mu Studio is a brand-new facility located in Campbellton, New Brunswick, offering before and after-school care and weekend programs. The weekend programs include playgroups, art workshops, and Mi’gmaq language classes for youth ages 5-11. “This project is a combination of all my passions, and needs that I see for the Mi’gmaq community,” said Amy Martin, owner of Gina’mu.

Martin is a Concordia University student, majoring in First Peoples Studies, with a minor in Human Rights Studies. She began teaching Mi’gmaq two years ago in Montreal and comes from a family of youth educators. Her sister, Karen Martin, is a Mi’gmaq Immersion teacher at Alaqsite’w Gitpu School. Amy Martin said she relies a lot on the community of Listuguj for their resources when it comes to teaching the Mi’gmaq language.

At Gina’mu Studio, Martin expressed the importance of acceptance and kindness. This facility is open to everyone and is a safe place to play and learn social skills. “We’re here to make friends, and teach the language,” said Martin.

Martin offers a before and after-school program on weekdays from February to June, picking back up in September. It will run in the mornings from 6:45 AM to 8:45 AM, and in the afternoon from 2:30 PM to 5:00 PM. The before-school care is $75, the after-school care is $50 and if you’d like both services, it is $100.  Weekend programs consist of a Mi’gmaq language class from 1-2 PM, and an art and play workshop from 2-3:30 PM. These programs run for $10 each. There are no long-term commitments for these programs. Schedules of activities will be released ahead of time on Gina’mu Studio’s Facebook page.

Gina’mu Studio is located at 156C Water St. in Campbellton. If you want to register your child in one of these programs or would like more information, you can find Gina’mu After-School on Facebook, or email ginamulearningcenter@gmail.com.

By Ann Marie Jacques

Local Artist Spotlight – Miranda Barnaby

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Miranda Barnaby’s love for beading started at a young age. When she was in middle school, she looked forward to class with Claudia Gray every week. In high school, she spent many lunch breaks beading and learning with Lita Isaac. Her eagerness to learn eventually led to a passion for beading. She was gifted a pair of beaded earrings and beading supplies from her aunt, and this inspired her to practice making earrings and dreamcatchers, and the rest is history.

Over the years, Barnaby developed her own personal style when it comes to her creations. Her work is very vibrant and intricate with a bohemian flare. She uses birch bark, porcupine quills, and fox or rabbit fur for her hand-sewn poms-poms. As of recently, Barnaby has been crafting beautiful genuine leather purses with removable pom earrings.

With over 6200 followers on social media, her work has evolved significantly over the past six years. Her earrings have been modeled in a fashion show in Edmonton, Alberta, and most notably featured in Sephora’s Native Women’s Association of Canada on Indigenous Beauty.

Barnaby’s work can be found on the Facebook page, “Beadwork/Dreamcatchers by Miranda.” Here you will find what pieces are available for purchase, and information on custom items.

Barnaby’s creativity is unmatched, and she states she does not look online for inspiration, but the designs come naturally to her. “I’m so excited for what the future holds. I don’t think I could ever stop being creative, it’s in my blood,” said Barnaby.

By Ann Marie Jacques

Listuguj Win Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nations Chiefs Secretariat Awards

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The Listuguj Mi’gmaq Government Office of Chief & Council and Natural Resource Department would once again like to extend their congratulations to the following community members and departments on their Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nations Chiefs Secretariat Fisheries Awards:

Captain of the Year – Frank Brisk

Deckhand of the Year – John-Daniel Wysote

Exemplary Conduct & Workplace Safety Award – Listuguj Health and Safety and Natural Resources Departments

Innovation in Fisheries Award – Dr. Fred Metallic

The APC Fisheries Awards Program is meant to recognize exceptional achievements by First Nation community members, organizations, or businesses within the Atlantic and Gaspé regions. The winners will have achieved distinction through their dedication and commitment to fisheries within their communities.

The winners in each category were selected by an independent jury and received special recognition and an award at the APC Fisheries Awards Banquet and Ceremony held in Membertou, Unama’gi, on January 24, 2024.

By Julianne Wysote

Local Author Spotlight – Emily Angel Isaac Johnson

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Emily Angel Isaac Johnson is from right here in Listuguj, but grew up in the Fredericton, New Brunswick area. She attended the New Brunswick College of Craft and Design and obtained a diploma in Wabanaki Visual Arts. She is currently working on becoming a certified doula and is planning on going back to school for a degree in design and plans on writing more books on Indigenous teachings.

Johnson created the book, Mitzy’s First Time Picking Sweetgrass after a class assignment for an oral tradition course. She created the watercolor images and script. Johnson said, “I got the idea by brainstorming my favourite things to do traditionally. Sweetgrass picking has always been a favourite! My cat Mitzy is very adventurous, and I figured why not make her the main character?”

This book is a great tool to introduce these kinds of teachings to children who may not be familiar with sweetgrass picking. Here is a summary of the book provided by Johnson:

Mitzy the cat is invited by her mom to go sweetgrass picking for the very first time! As her mom passes the important Indigenous teaching down to the next generation, Mitzy learns that this beautiful plant is a traditional medicine that is used for ceremonies, healing, and art.

Mitzy’s First Time Picking Sweetgrass is available on Monster House Publishing’s website. Order your copy today!

By Ann Marie Jacques

Tanner Isaac – Entertaining and Educating Today’s Youth

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Listuguj’s Tanner Isaac is no stranger when it comes to the media and has a lot of experience with it at an educational level, and a personal level.   Isaac’s family has been in the media for over a decade, since Isaac’s brother, Chris Metallic went missing in November 2012 while attending Mount Alison University in Sackville, New Brunswick. Isaac graduated from Algonquin College in Ottawa for TV Broadcasting. He was employed at the Listuguj Mi’gmaq Government’s Communication department as a summer student, producing videos and articles for the Wi’gatign. He worked for APTN’s radio station 95.9 Elmnt FM in Ottawa. He has an impressive social media following with 31.0K followers on TikTok. Most recently, Isaac was a recipient of an Indigenous Journalist Fellowship with CJF and CBC, where he was sent to work with CBC Indigenous in Winnipeg for one month as an Associate Producer and Journalist.

Over the years, Isaac expressed his dissatisfaction with the media when it comes to twisting words for his missing brother’s case. When he applied for the fellowship, he spoke about his brother a lot. He stated a lot of information that went out to the public was not accurate. Some sources did not get the correct information or permission which caused his family great hardship. Originally when applying for the fellowship, Isaac expressed his intention of covering missing Indigenous person cases. Once he was accepted for the fellowship, he realized he had become a little more sensitive to these topics. Isaac said, “It makes me emotional to relive it with other families.” He decided to go in a new direction and cover the Indigenous entertainment industry.

“I’m trying to look into what is pulling our generation in the media, what attracts them. TikTok is a great start, and I did have a presence on TikTok before. I never thought making TikToks for fun would get me a job at CBC News,” said Isaac. Right away CBC Indigenous recognized that Isaac was a natural in front of the camera, and he was a great spokesperson for younger generations.

When Isaac started with CBC Indigenous in Winnipeg, it was during elections for the premiere of Manitoba. Wab Kinew was voted in as the first First Nation Premiere of the province at this time. It was a very monumental and hectic start with CBC Indigenous, but Isaac learned a lot from the experience. Going in, he wasn’t familiar with Indigenous politics, and CBC used this to their advantage in making relatable videos for young generations. Isaac incorporates humour in a lot of his videos but also provides facts and education on topics that the youth might not be familiar with.

A TikTok page had been in the works at CBC Indigenous for quite some time, but when Isaac arrived, this was a perfect opportunity to create an account. CBC Indigenous’s TikTok page consists of several Indigenous journalists from across the country sharing all kinds of Indigenous stories and topics, ranging from inside the AFN (Assembly of First Nations) in Ottawa, to a story about a “rez goat” named Bruce from Beaver Lake Cree Nation in Alberta. Isaac played a major part in accumulating followers and working with the journalists on trends, and tips and tricks when it comes to video editing on TikTok.

Once Isaac’s fellowship in Winnipeg was over, he continued working for CBC News in Ottawa. At this time, the company sent him to cover the AFN Elections, which Isaac refers to as his proudest moment.  At the AFN Elections, Isaac spoke with many politicians, councilors, and leadership across Canada, including former Interim National Chief, Joanna Bernard. Isaac also interviewed Listuguj’s Rosalie LaBillois. LaBillois is the Co-Chair of the AFN National Youth Council and spoke to Isaac about today’s youth becoming involved in politics. Isaac stated that he was inspired by LaBillois’s determination and mindset when it came to politics. There are several videos on CBC Indigenous’s TikTok page of Isaac covering the AFN Elections.

Isaac also spoke about his past collaboration and inspiration when it comes to Listuguj’s Nation Isaac. Nation is working as a journalist for CBC Quebec from right here in Listuguj. Isaac credited his interest in journalism to Nation after they worked together on an award-winning video, Mi’gwidelmag gnitjgamitj (Remembering Our Grandpa) about Nation’s grandfather and his experience of the 1981 raid in Listuguj.

Isaac was offered a permanent position with CBC in Winnipeg but declined the offer to move back to Listuguj. Ultimately, he would like to stay in the journalism/entertainment industry and could see himself with a future in politics. He laughed, and said, “I think I just like talking to people on a screen.” Isaac certainly made a name for himself whilst working for CBC and made several memorable videos.

Be sure to check out CBC Indigenous on TikTok to see Isaac’s videos, alongside many other talented Indigenous journalists.

By Ann Marie Jacques

LCSSD – Moose Meat Distribution

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Earlier this month, the Listuguj Community Social Services Directorate held a moose meat distribution at their building. Erwin Molley works in collaboration with local hunters and butchers, to provide moose meat for the community of Listuguj.

Thank you to the staff at Listuguj Community Social Services for organizing and distributing the moose meat to elders and community members.

Book Launch of Nipugtug by Emma Metallic and Natalie Laurin

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On January 20th a book launch was held at Campbellton’s The Flying Canoe Bookstore for the book “Nipugtug.” The book is written by Listuguj’s Emma Metallic and illustrated by Natalie Laurin.

“Nipugtug” centers around a young girl named A’le’s who uses nature to help her on a journey to learn about her culture and the Mi’gmaw language.

The book launch was a success in The Flying Canoe Bookstore’s cozy atmosphere. Metallic and Laurin explained their inspirations for the book, and how it came to be. Metallic also read excerpts from her book to the crowd.

Delicious pizza was also served at the event and was made and donated by Listuguj’s Buddy Vicaire.

“Nipugtug” is written in both English and Mi’gmaw, and can purchased at Kegedonce Press online, Amazon, or locally at The Flying Canoe Bookstore in Campbellton.

By Ann Marie Jacques