The Whistler in the Woods

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“Dani’s lived her whole life in Salmon River First Nation. All the rez kids know there’s one rule to follow: never go into the woods at night—or the Whistler will get you. When Dani brings home an old arrowhead she finds in the woods, she accidentally invites the legend into her life in a terrifyingly real way. Soon, a crying ghost starts haunting Dani’s bedroom, and only her best friend Sam believes her. Dani has never used a spirit board before, but she and Sam are determined to talk to the ghost girl. Is she in danger? What does she want from Dani? Or are the answers hidden deep in the woods, where the Whistler waits after dark?” From Jodie Callaghan’s newest book, The Whistler in the Woods. 

Jodie (Barnaby) Callaghan has always been a lover of horror novels and the supernatural. With a love for reading and writing, Callaghan began writing short stories when she was just eight years old. Along the way, she had several supportive mentors who uplifted her by helping her find her voice, encouraging her to read, and sharing her stories with the class. Since then, she has been nonstop learning, from being a student to a journalist, a teacher, and now a program developer at  Elawsimgewei Gina’muo’guom. 

While living in Scotland, Callaghan was inspired by haunted tours around the city. She viewed sites where some of her favorite authors had been inspired, hoping for a story to emerge. When a tour guide warned the group not to bring home any items from the site, out of fear of bringing a ghost home with them, everything clicked. This warning sparked instant ideas for Callaghan that she couldn’t get out of her head for years. It soon inspired what would become The Whistler in the Woods.  

When pitching the book, Callaghan thought of a Mi’kmaq-inspired Goosebumps, inspired by the books she read as a kid from R.L. Stine. Drawing from her lived experiences, Callaghan uses parts of Listuguj to set the scene of her book. “I think the characters, the two main girls, Dani and Sam, are really me and my friends when we were that age. Not exactly, but pieces of us. The grandmother character in the book is very heavily modeled after my grandmother, who had passed. I even gave her the same name as my grandmother as a tribute.” Explain Callaghan. “Of course, the community itself, Salmon River, that’s obviously what our river is known for. I felt when I was writing the book like I was picturing the characters here. I changed names of things and location names are changed. I moved some things around, but ultimately it is heavily inspired by our community. The people that I grew up with and the people that I know.” 

Callaghan is quickly becoming a prominent voice as an Indigenous author. Her previous children’s book, The Train, jump-started her love for writing books. Callaghan’s writing process takes on different forms, from thinking about the world within the book to the number of scares needed, to always taking notes of any ideas she has. “ I’m an outliner. And I think that I’ve had to teach myself how to write. To sit back and think about pace. It’s a horror novel, so you need to have scary scenes.  Where are they fitting in? We’ve had three chapters, no scares. We need to work a scare in.  And I think a lot of that came from teaching English for so many years.  And really dissecting literature and dissecting stories.” 

This won’t be the last we see from the town of Salmon River, as Callaghan confirmed a series is in the works. The Salmon River Shivers Series will continue to expand the town’s supernatural entities and lore. “I‘d like to explore the land in the books and deepen the lore of the area and find out why all this is happening. And why all of a sudden this is happening to the community.”  

You can now preorder a copy of The Whistler in the Woods from Second Story Press, Amazon, with the book’s official release on March 9th, 2027.  

By Ivy Grenier

 

ITHAQUA: Peter Vicaire’s Decade-Long Journey

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“ITHAQUA is a period horror movie. In 1821, during the decline of the fur trade, an American mercenary struggles to unite the frozen survivors of a famine-stricken outpost plagued by a dark force that leaves its victims with an insatiable hunger.” 

Peter Vicaire takes on the horror genre with the newest film, ITHAQUA. Taking on the roles of co-writer and producer on the latest film, first had its premiere at Fright Fest in London, England, in August. What started as a project in 2014, became an over ten-year-long journey to begin filming, has now been taken around the world. From France to Spain, to Vancouver, and on its way to Finland and the Bahamas, ITHAQUA has been well received globally, bringing thoughts of a future sequel.  

Vicaire shares how ITHAQUA came to be. 

“Pascal Trottier, my (sometimes) writing partner, and I had written a different period horror film called WARPATHS (1600s fur trappers hunted by giants of Iroquois mythology) but with a much larger budget in mind. We had sent that script to a producer in Toronto who liked it but thought the budget was too high. However, he knew Casey Walker, a director/producer out of Toronto, was looking for a writer to rewrite his wendigo script, so we connected that way and were brought on board the project. 

Casey’s story was based on the Ojibwe wendigo myth, a cannibalistic beast that dwells in the icy north. We Mi’gmaq have our own version of the wendigo called the Jenu. There have been several wendigo movies out there already, so for ITHAQUA we were looking for a fresh twist. We did this by incorporating the mythos of pulp-horror writer H.P. Lovecraft into the story, melding the two.”  

Vicaire spent the entire twenty-seven filming days on set in Thunder Bay, Ontario, in January of last year. Filming was predominantly done outside and at night, facing sometimes up to negative forty-five-degree temperatures. “Potentially dangerous? Yeah. Still super fun? Yeah. When you see the movie, you’ll see this isn’t some Hollywood CGI cold; it’s the real deal,” stated Vicaire.  

While taking on the producing role on set, Vicaire ensured that Indigenous voices were represented fairly, ensuring accuracy and respect for the culture. The film dialogue includes English, French, and Ojibwe; much care and effort was put into accurate pronunciations. “We had speakers record dialogue for the actors to reference and use. We also had big poster boards with phonetic spellings behind the camera while shooting incase they needed a little help remembering. We also sent the script to an Ojibwe academic professor to see if we were on the right track on how we presented his people.” Vicaire shows great care for not only the writing aspects but also Indigenous representation in the film.  

Vicaire has a large library of available scripts. “Other than the ITHAQUA sequel, I’m most excited about the last script I wrote, THE STUMP WITCH. It’s a Mi’gmaw horror film, based on our own skite’gmuj – spirit. It flips the script on the old “Indian burial ground” cliché because the burial ground is on the reserve and the people being haunted are Mi’gmaw. When a young Mi’gmaw woman moves from the city to her reserve for the first time, a vengeful spirit terrorizes her family when they can’t communicate in Mi’gmaw.” 

The distributor of the film currently determines where the film gets played. Vicaire hopes to bring it to North Shore Cinema in Campbellton for the community. “I just hope people have a good time, appreciate the build-up, tension, scares and the beautiful scenery we were able to capture. If it leads them to digging deeper into the wendigo (Jenu) creature myths and perhaps even the literature of the H.P. Lovecraft mythos, then even better!” 

By Ivy Grenier

DJ Pipnaqan

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By day, Tyler Morrison is the Communications Coordinator for Mi’gmawei Mawio’mi Secretariat, but by night or on the weekends, you can catch him as DJ Pipnaqan at community events, weddings, and birthday parties. With a passion for music, tech, and community connection, Morrison has built a career reflecting creativity and engagement.  

Morrison pursued Digital Video Production at Durham College in Oshawa, Ontario. The program not only focused on video production, but also on audio engineering, photography, and small business management. “The skills translated directly into both professional and entrepreneurial environments,” he explains. “It wasn’t just learning how to create content. It was learning discipline, project management, and how to operate in a professional setting.” 

When COVID struck, and Morrison was stuck inside, he kept returning to his love for house music. Watching other creators stream their DJ sets from home, or watching playlist set compilations, became a highlight in a difficult time. Morrison had rented some equipment for his own wedding to play music and knew he wanted to continue. He quickly started building up his equipment and practicing. Morrison came up with the name “Pipnaqan” meaning bread in Mi’gmaq, the day of an event, going over ideas but never landing on one. Until his wife brought out fresh loaves of bread from the oven and he knew instantly. “I thought back in 2021 being inside all the time; there was no way for connecting at that time and juxtaposed to just this year. The last month or two, where you have social settings, you have people dancing together, laughing together, enjoying very special times.” 

Morrison draws musical inspiration from the people around him. He got his love of the classics from his parents, a new appreciation for country from his wife, and from tuning in to CHRQ’s Friday night country radio show. Morrison is always finding new sounds and music to incorporate into his work. When booked for an event, Morrison always takes the necessary steps to get to know what type of crowd will be attending. Attempting to mix modern hits with nostalgic throwbacks. For anniversaries or weddings, he will often draw from the time the couple met and builds mixes of that time while including their favorite songs. “I love seeing people have some of the best times of their lives. For some families, weddings are one of the few times everyone gathers together. If I can help make that night special, that’s enough for me.” In the moment, you can find Morrison gauging the crowd’s reaction to what he’s playing while queuing the next songs and seamlessly blending the two, strategically curating as the event flows. “It’s all about reading the room,” he says. “Music changes throughout the night, and your job is to evolve with the crowd.” 

If you need good music and great vibes for an event, you can contact “Pipnaqan” on Facebook to book.  

By Ivy Grenier 

 

REZ D.A.W.G.S

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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.”

By: Ivy Grenier

Kaydence Molley’s Journey into Esthetics

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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.

By: Ivy Grenier

Baunaby’s Pizza: From Their Home to Yours

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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

By: Ivy Grenier

Listuguj 34th Annual Powwow 2026

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Community Safety Officers

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The Listuguj Police Department (LPD) is working with the Listuguj Community Social Services Directorate (LCSSD) to bring in Community Safety Officers (CSO). “Community Safety Officers are civilian members of the community whose role is to assist with community safety, visibility, prevention, and other non-police related matters. Our Community Safety Officers work closely with the Listuguj Police Department and provide an additional safety presence throughout the community.”

CSOs will be on duty daily from 6:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. Their patrols will include playgrounds, construction sites, LMG buildings, Gospem, Sipu’g, and other assigned areas throughout the community. As part of their duties will include monitoring these areas and maintaining a safe and visible presence. They will work to prevent and report concerns such as theft, vandalism, unauthorized access, bullying, fighting, and other unsafe activities. CSOs will also monitor playgrounds, ensure that they are closed every evening at 9:00 p.m., and address situations involving intoxicated individuals or other activities that may pose a safety concern. Community Safety Officers will report any suspected criminal activity or incidents requiring police intervention to the Listuguj Police Department.

We would like to remind everyone that Community Safety Officers are not police officers and do not replace police services. For any police-related matter, criminal activity, emergency, or situation requiring police assistance, please continue to contact LPD directly.

 

Emergency – 911 or 418-788-2003

Non-Emergency – 418-788-2334

Anonymous tip line – 506-987-3654 or by email lpd.tips@listuguj.ca

 

The Listuguj Police Department welcomes the Community Safety Officers into their new roles and looks forward to working alongside them. Their added presence and support will help strengthen community safety and contribute to a safer environment for everyone in Listuguj.

In The Circle Together: Bobbi Madahbee and Derek Barnaby, Golden Age Head Dancers

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For Bobbi Madahbee and Derek Barnaby, dancing is more than a tradition. It is a lifelong journey of learning, sharing, and connecting with culture. This year, the couple took on the title of Golden Age Head Dancers together at Listuguj’s 34th Annual Powwow, marking another chapter in their decades of dancing.

Bobbbi Madahbee, originally from Aundeck Omni Kaning, First Nation has been a Women’s Traditional Dancer for the past twenty-nine years. As a child, she regularly attended powwows and would dance for fun, often following her cousin around the grounds. It was later, in her early twenties, when she entered the Miss Indian World Pageant that Mahdabee received her first full regalia and began dancing more seriously.

Through the guidance of her cousin and mentor, Dawn Madahbee, Bobbi learned the fundamentals of traditional dancing. “She not only taught me to dance, but she taught me about the teachings in dancing, the protocols. It’s not just dancing. There’s teachings that go along with it.” Throughout her dancing career, she has remained a Women’s Traditional dancer. Being asked to be head dancer of the Golden Age category is an honor she accepts with humility. “I was a little taken aback when I was asked to be Golden Age, not realizing how old you’re getting,” she said with a laugh. “But I’m very honored to accept that role. It’s a duty I take very seriously as a humble position in the powwow.”

Derek Barnaby from Listuguj has been a men’s Traditional Dancer for the past thirty-six years, beginning his journey when he was twenty-one. Over the years, he has learned from dancers and teachers throughout North America, including his first mentor, Irving Hill. Barnaby explored other styles of dance, including hoop dancing. His interest in hoop dancing lasted for several years, as he learned not only the movements but also the stories and teachings connected to the style of dance. Eventually, he returned to his true passion for Men’s Traditional dance and continued with it throughout his dancing career.

At fifty-five, Barnaby now finds himself among the longest-running dancers in the community. “Thirty-six years of dancing, and now you’re in a category where you’re with all these other men who have been dancing forever. I’ve never stopped. I’ve maintained it. I’ve always been interested in more stories and more history, just understanding every part about it.”
For Barnaby, becoming a Golden Age dancer is not simply about how long he has danced. It is about what comes with those years of experience: knowledge, responsibility, and the opportunity to help others. “I’m not an elder, but I have knowledge. The way I was taught was about protocol, about following the guidelines, making sure that you’re doing things
respectfully, and passing that knowledge on.” That responsibility for sharing knowledge is something both dancers take seriously, particularly when it comes to youth.

Madahbee believes sharing teachings is one of the ways traditions remain alive. Through her work in education, she has opportunities to share with the youth. “That’s how we still have our teachings—it’s all about sharing. That’s the way we keep it alive and keep the pride and share and hope to build youth pride and identity and become a part of the circle.

Barnaby acknowledges the importance of cultural revitalization. He speaks about the generations in which language, culture, traditions, values, and family structures were restricted or taken away. Over the past thirty-six years, his journey has involved re-learning ceremonies and traditional practices. “Now we’re starting to regrow it. You see it a lot with the younger generation that are picking up dance.” Barnaby shares that cultural knowledge should be shared freely with those who want to learn. “There’s no price tag on it. If someone really wants to do it, and they come over and ask me to share something, I’m more than happy and more than proud to share that experience.”
Being named Golden Age Head Dancers together makes this year’s powwow particularly meaningful. Barnaby shares his passion for this momentous occasion for their family: “It’s really awesome that we get to do this as a family. Our kids are here as well. It’s Bobbi’s first time actually being a head dancer. At a Golden Age, she’s gone through so many things, and I’ve gone through so many things. We’ve gone through so many things together for us to be here sharing that experience, being in front of the community, in front of our families and friends it’s incredible.” Madahbee adds, “It’s an honor. I’ve earned my stripes.”

Madahbee hopes their family’s example will encourage others to find their own place within the Powwow circle. “Another thing is to hopefully inspire others to want to come out, to join the circle, and to want to dance and share.”
For Bobbi and Derek, the Golden Age role represents more than the decades they spent dancing. It represents the knowledge gathered along the way, the people who taught them, the family they have built around the powwow, and the responsibility to ensure those teachings continue. As they step into this role, they do so not only as experienced dancers, but as teachers, parents, mentors, and members of the community, aiming to help carry traditions and teachings forward for future generations.

 

 

By: Ivy Grenier

Upcoming Projects: Expanding, Repairing, Housing, and Developing

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As the community of Listuguj continues to grow and evolve, the Listuguj Mi’gmaq Government’s Capital and Infrastructure Directorate is taking on many new developments this next year, ranging from repairs and expansions to multiple new spaces. These projects aim to bring the future and an above standard feel to the community. Here are some of the ongoing and upcoming projects in the community.

Expansion of the Alaqsite’w Gitpu School means ongoing growth for both students and teachers. Construction begins by removing the existing trailers, aiming to create functional and efficient areas for educational activities and support services. Included in the expansion are office spaces for staff and teachers, a conference room, and two new classrooms.

Capital and Infrastructure is collaborating with the dioceses to begin construction on a new church in August. The cost of the project will be covered through insurance money obtained from the diocese from the fire in 2021. Located where the Saint Anne’s Church was on Riverside West, this new space will serve as a Catholic Church while remaining open and welcoming for all.
Commitment to growth continues through the twenty-one housing units in the plans for the 2026-2027 year, including several duplexes and triplexes.

Through the Haven House initiative, there will be several new units for transitional housing. This represents an important step for the community, creating a secure and safe environment for women and children impacted by domestic violence.

Another project for community growth is the Listuguj Mi’gmaq Development Center. They are working independently and will be expanding their current facilities to support additional programs, training opportunities, and to enhance operational capacity. Included in the extension are four office spaces and four classrooms. Construction on this project is not managed by Capital and Infrastructure.

Construction has already begun on a new two-story Band Office on Caplin Road. This new office provides spaces for private offices, open workspaces, conference rooms, storage areas, and council chambers.

The development of a new roadway within the community is underway. Atlantic Drive will run parallel to Pacific Drive on the east side. The project will support the construction of more than fifty residential units. The roadway will include sidewalks, paving, and curbs to support safe and accessible transportation.

The Listuguj Community Social Services Directorate oversees the Muin Ji’j afterschool program and will need a dedicated facility to support program delivery. The proposed building includes three classrooms, a janitorial area, washrooms, and kitchen to meet operational and program needs.

The Listuguj Community Social Services Directorate is also proposing to develop the Gathering our Roots project. An outdoor space connected to their building to serve as a safe and supportive area to meet with clients. The space will be organized into multiple sections connected by a main pathway. The main space will consist of a gazebo, a BBQ area, and a meeting space. This space is intended for client meetings, workshops, and group activities. A playground will be built to provide a safe and engaging environment for children accompanying clients. Traditional Space will be dedicated to cultural practices and healing. These spaces will be shared with the Muin Ji’j program, supporting both program delivery and family participation. These spaces will enhance engagement, promote well-being, and support cultural programming for the community.
These upcoming projects are essential in the community to foster growth and expansion for current residents and future generations. We are grateful for the continued efforts and support of everyone involved in the development of our ever-growing community

By Ivy Grenier