Archive for category: Feature

The Listuguj Education Directorate is grateful to the post-secondary students who joined our team this summer. We’re proud of the work they accomplished and want to introduce them to you. We sat down with each summer student to learn more about how their summers went.

We first spoke with Hailey Swasson who started her summer as an educational assistant at the Alaqsite’w Gitpu School. Throughout the summer, she assisted our coordinators with the Mi’gmaq Language Camp and Sports & Recreation Camp. Hailey is currently studying art at the University of New Brunswick and wants to pursue an education degree after completing her current program. “Working here honestly allowed me to have a whole different point of view on school. Before, it was really hard getting into it, but as I started working with the children at the school, seeing how much they appreciated me […] really inspired me to go back and get that degree, come back to the community and help them,” Hailey shared. One of her favourite experiences was participating in the school’s talent show with her group of Grade 5 students. Hailey shared that she used to be too shy to participate in talent shows as a child, so helping her students choreograph a dance and perform it with them was a rewarding experience for her. Well done, Hailey!

Amelia Rioux also joined our team as an educational assistant and summer camp counsellor. She is currently studying kinesiology at Holland College. Amelia is interested in becoming a physical education teacher, but with a diploma in kinesiology, she can explore many other career paths within the healthcare system. Amelia has been playing sports since she was two years old and has just finished her first year of college-level soccer and basketball. After a summer of working with our youth, Amelia is returning to school motivated and confident that she chose the right field. She has had an incredible summer – even competing in the North American Indigenous Games in Halifax! She shared with us some of her favourite moments from this work experience: “I loved feeling like a gym teacher, Tyler and Jen would let me run the class sometimes. Working with the younger ones and seeing their minds blown when we do something new with them. Being able how to teach kids how to play soccer, when they didn’t even know that they could do that or play like that.”

Ivy Grenier is a talented photographer and artist who joined our communications team this summer. She recently graduated from the Photography/Videography program at the New Brunswick College of Craft and Design (NBCCD) and is returning to NBCCD in their Advanced Studio Practice program. As Communications Assistant, Ivy took photos at our end-of-year events and summer camp activities. “Taking photos at prom and graduation has helped me overcome my anxieties in talking to people/asking others if I can take their photo. As well as helping me focus on the important details of the event/day. Taking photos during sports camp has helped me learn the right settings to better capture quick movements during unpredictable, fast-paced games.” Ivy also worked on building our collection of stock images that will be used in future social media posts. Thank you, Ivy, for capturing every beautiful and important moment, from prom to graduation and all the summer fun in between.

Thank you again for all your hard work, Hailey, Amelia, and Ivy! It was a pleasure having you on our team. We wish you all the best in your studies and careers. As you return to school, know that everyone at the Listuguj Education Directorate is cheering you on!

By the Listuguj Education Directorate

People from all over Gespe’gewa’gi were excited to hear that The Amazing Race Canada will have its very first Mi’gmaq competitors.  Deven Condo-Mitchell and Amanda Larocque are competing in Season 9 of the fast-paced reality show.

Condo-Mitchell is from right here in Listuguj. He is a Conservation Officer with the Listuguj Rangers and has a passion for adventure and athletics.
Larocque is from Gesgapegiag. She is the Director of Health and Social Services for the community, is a mother of two daughters, is a dancer, and like Condo-Mitchell, she shares a passion for adventure.

The couple found out about the show after a mutual friend passed along information about the application process and were thankful for the opportunity. “We’re actively making history right now. We’re the first team from the East Coast, being Mi’gmaq. Representing Gespe’gewa’gi, Mi’gma’gi,” said Condo-Mitchell. The two hope that being featured on the show will push other Mi’gmaw people to set and achieve goals. Larocque said, “It’s an absolute honour to be the first Mi’gmaq team, and I know we’re not going to be the last. We hope to inspire other youth across all Mi’gma’gi.”

Both Condo-Mitchell and Larocque are excited to share their journey with their communities.

 “We want to thank both of our communities for all the love and support we’ve received,” said Condo-Mitchell.

The community of Listuguj is thrilled to see Condo-Mitchell and Larocque make history and compete on The Amazing Race Canada.

By Ann Marie Jacques

The Listuguj Mi’gmaq Government would like to acknowledge our 10 Listuguj athletes who competed in the North American Indigenous Games in Nova Scotia last week.

Based on all the videos and photos, NAIG will be a memorable time in their lives they will not forget. Our athletes celebrated their culture, trained hard, and showed incredible determination and sportsmanship.

The community is very proud of their accomplishments, and it was an honor to have them represent the community of Listuguj.

Thank you to the coaches and volunteers from Listuguj who assisted our athletes and attended NAIG.

• Ala’suinu Barnaby – GOLD –  19U Men’s Beach Volleyball

• Hannah Mills – GOLD – 19U Female  200M, 1000M, 3000M, 6000M Canoe/Kayak
• Harmony Isaac – BRONZE – 16U Female Swimming 100M Backstroke

• Erika Metallic – BRONZE  – 14U Female Swimming 200M Butterfly

• Davery Condo-Mitchell – BRONZE – 16U Men’s Basketball

• Jack Limoges – BRONZE – 16U Men’s Basketball

• Nash Molley – 19U Men’s Basketball

• Amelia Rioux – 19U Female Basketball

• Tamika Gideon – 16U Women’s Volleyball

• Ayden Barnaby – 16U Men’s 3D Archery

• Joe Barnaby – 16U Men’s Golf