Archive for category: Feature

There is a red line at the Listuguj Education Complex that can’t be missed.  The line divides three classrooms from the rest of the building, creating the only English-free zone in Listuguj. Anyone crossing that line has to speak only in Mi’gmaq.

The line is more than red tape on the floor.  It is a compelling symbol of the protection of the Mi’gmaq language that evolved on this territory for thousands of years, but is now vulnerable.

There was never such a “language line” in Listuguj.  Maybe that’s the reason why in the last 50 years the English language had entered the homes, stayed there and with time, displaced  Mi’gmaq as the main language.  Those were the times when Canada’s assimilation policies forced Aboriginal peoples across Canada into Residential Schools and they were pushed to believe that their culture and their language were unimportant and an obstacle to progress.

Today, that red line in Listuguj represents the last stronghold of resistance and decolonization.  On the other side of the line there is a group of teachers and students – men, women and children – learning the language that was used to name the lakes, valleys, mountains, rivers, communities, cities, and plants on this territory.

In the adult section 12 students are committed to learn the Mi’gmaq language five days a week, until March 2017.  Around 800 hours of Mi’gmaq lessons in the classroom as well in the territory. This pilot project was initiated by a grant from Heritage Canada.
After almost 500 years of the arrival and imposition of English and French languages, our Mi’gmaq language is at risk.  According the 2010 UNESCO’s report Mi’gmaq language is considered “vulnerable,” a close step to the endangered category.  However, in Listuguj there is a consensus that our language is in severe decline and it’s necessary to act now.

“Mi’gmaq was declared the official language of Gespe’gewa’gi, but a declaration is not enough.  We need policy, language law and other initiatives to save our language”, said Lorna Sook, Director of the Listuguj Education, Training and Employment.  “We did a survey and we got a lot of suggestions, ideas and we decide to strengthen the immersion programs”.

One of the strategies implemented was to move the AGS Mi’gmaq immersion classes to the Education Complex, the other side of the red line and next to the adult immersion program.

Nathalie Metallic requested a leave from her work at Day Care to learn Mi’gmaq.  As a mother of three children she feels it’s important to pass the language on to them and eventually be able to converse with elders.  She understands Mi’gmaq but like many in the community, she lacks the confidence to speak, something that an immersion program will provide. “I really want to speak it and practice at home with my kids,” she said.

For Scott Isaac, his decision is about identity. “It is part of my decolonization process”, he said. “For 50 years I have been speaking the language of the colonizer and now it is time to speak the language of my ancestors.”  He also sees the possibility of new job opportunities associated with knowledge of the language.

Mary Ann Metallic, Janice Vicaire and Dianne Mitchell are the instructors of the Minuignewa’tu’g ‘Gtli’sutiminu Program.  Their combined work experience for the language is associated with Mi’gmaq Online, research, summers courses, adult classes, teaching sessions at AGS, SSHS, nursery, translation, etc.  They are part of a devoted group of people working in the education system.

Mary Ann Metallic wishes to replicate Quebec’s measures to protect French. “They passed a law to promote the predominance of their language on public signs, at work places, at schools, at public services, etc. It worked for them.”  She sees the importance of taking diverse initiatives and not only leaving the transmission of the language up to the education system.

Janice Vicaire has worked on language programs since 1998. “When I started working we knew the decline of our language and we confirmed it now. Little was done and it was left to teachers or the school,”  she said. “I wish it to be a grassroots movement, from the people, from young parents to learn the language, to pass it to the kids. We need to start a movement to protect our language.”

What will it take to bring back our language, who will do it?  “The preservation of the language has to be the will of the community,” responded Janice Vicaire.

The loss of the language in some Aboriginal communities, including Mi’gmaq has different factors recorded in numerous reports and studies. If the responsibility of its preservation is taken on by speakers and non-speakers living in the community, the participants of the immersion programs at the Education Complex will feel supported.  That is the kind of environment that Diane Mitchell remembers as a young girl.  “In Listuguj the language was just spoken naturally, we were spoken to exclusively in Mi’gmaq. That kind of environment allowed the passing on of the language naturally. I grew up in a generation where everyone was a speaker and the exception was English.”

That’s what the immersion program will recreate – a Mi’gmaq-only space in Listuguj. For Mary Ann Metallic “the red line is a symbol of resistance,” she said. “We have to get stronger for our language, we have to regroup forces, we have to isolate, and by concentrating our language in one space it will help to pass it on to the little ones.  They will hear the language more often”.

In fact, visiting Miss Mabel Metallic’s class next door, we can see the children surrounded by Mi’gmaq textbooks, native chants and designs.  Their little voices speaking Mi’gmaq represents the hope for the survival of our Mi’gmaq language.

“How are you tonight?” Constable Jacob Renouf asks at a roadblock set up by the Listuguj Police Department (LPD) in front of the Education Complex. It’s near 10:00 PM on Aug. 5 — the start of the Powwow weekend.  Six officers are working, instead of the usual two.

Flares, and the flashing lights notify oncoming traffic. Constable Renouf greets drivers, and explains what they’re doing – just making sure everyone is being safe. The officers quickly shine flashlights in the car, and everything is in order. A few more jokes are made, everyone laughs, and the car continues on.

“How are you tonight,” Constable Renouf asks the next car.  The officers work their way through the line of vehicles that has formed, and then they pack it up. They’ll set up another road block later, but for now they’ll patrol.

Constable Renouf expects to drive the same streets dozens of times throughout his 11-hour shift. He has only been in the community for nearly a year. But he was on duty this time last year. He worked for the Gesgapegiag Police Department, which provided extra help in the past. No other police departments were needed this year. And the Powwow continues to grow.

Sgt. Detective Trapper Metallic has been with the LPD for over 15 years. He grew up here, got a summer job with the LPD, and got his training in Regina at the RCMP Academy, Depot Division.

Sgt. Detective Trapper Metallic has been with the Listuguj Police Department for 15 years.

There were a couple years in his career, around Powwow time, when he would see an influx in incidents.  “Then we started to put some more guys on patrol, and start making it a regular thing annually. Then those stats start to go down.”

Police Chief, Peter Arsenault said that the incidents this year were “almost garden variety.”  “Everything went well,” he said.

While some may see operations like a road block as a nuisance, Arsenault hopes they recognize the true purpose. “I’d like to think that they’re aware that we have their best interest in mind,” he said. “Everyone is entitled to safety.”

Like most of the officers on duty, Sgt. Detective Metallic is also working extra hours, after his regular four-day schedule, through the night.  “To work extra hours is nothing,” he said. “It comes with the territory. Whether you’re 15, 20, 30, 40 – however many years of service you have – you come and work the extra hour, just to make sure that nothing happens. It’s priceless.”

When representatives of the Listuguj Mi’gmaq Government and the Government of Quebec were talking on the phone, Listuguj loggers were already on the highway 132, ready to defend the exercising of Mi’gmaq rights.

The day before, Quebec had declared the wood harvested by the loggers  “illegal” and closed the market for these logs.  The GDS mill, the first main buyers, was instructed not to buy these logs because no stumpage fees were paid for them.

Listuguj loggers have access to 40,000 cubic feet of forest to cut.  This includes the 15,000, cubic feet from a previous agreement with a provision exempting stumpage fees.  Not really exempted but paid by Quebec itself.  Now, Quebec wants Listuguj loggers to pay the stumpage fees on the other 25,000 cubic feet.

As the meeting started, the politeness faded and strong positions were taken on both sides. Quebec insisted on the payment, and Listuguj defended its Aboriginal right.

Chief Darcy Gray firmly expressed that “it’s not an option. We honor our people and we affirm that this is our territory and natural resources, and you stand in our way. Mi’gmaq people won’t pay taxes to access the resources of its territory.”

Geoffrey Kelly, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs insisted on payment before opening the market to Listuguj loggers.
“For most of the loggers, it’s their only income” said Alexander “Popoff” Morrison, the elected representative of the loggers.  His working crew includes four individuals that support families of three or more.  There are around 64 people working in the logging operations, and they and their families are all impacted by the outcome of the meeting.

As the meeting progressed, Chief, Councillors, the Director of Natural Resources and the logger’s representatives discussed the condition from Quebec — “Pay stumpage fees and we will open the market.”  The meeting was suspended for 20 minutes to deliberate, and when communication was reestablished, Listuguj response was unanimous in a diplomatic tone and very spirited tone from Councillor Wendell Metallic  — “This is Mi’gmaq territory and we don’t pay no fees for our natural resources.”

Quebec was also reminded about Mi’gmaq determination, and the many battles Listuguj has had to reaffirm and exercise its rights, including the 1998 blockade for the same issue.  Quebec requested a pause to the meeting.

Back at the highway, loggers and supporters were waiting and ready to block the road and stand up one more time.  But this time, Chief and Council were supporting the loggers.

The logging operations for the 40,000 cubic feet represents around six months of work, enough time to access the unemployment program for seasonal work.  These operations are mostly non-mechanical. Around 20 timber jacks, 40 guys with chainsaw and 25 guys hauling logs. Most of them went through the training provided by Listuguj Natural Resources and are certified chain saw operators, complying with security and safety regulations.

“In the past Quebec had issues with the security, safety, and harvesting practices.  In the last two years we have improved our standards to follow Quebec regulations”, said Listuguj Natural Resources Forestry Engineer Martin Cummings.
These concerns were resolved and the issue of  “paying stumpage fees as a condition to get a license was never raised in the past,” said Dr. Fred Metallic, Director of Listuguj Natural Resources.

Early in the meeting Minister Kelly insisted that these fees were necessary to cover the cost of fire safety, silviculture, and forestry management.  Listuguj pays between 15 to 20 thousand dollars for fire safety and they pay an engineer to manage the logging operations.

When Quebec called back after their deliberation, their tone was less adamant.  First the Minister insisted on improving the harvesting practices before announcing that Quebec would open the market.  Chief Gray agreed to open discussions, but insisted that any negotiation will be on the basis that this is Mi’gmaq unceded territory and no taxes of any form should be paid by Mi’gmaq loggers to Quebec to access natural resources.

After the meeting Chief Gray went to the highway 132 to tell the loggers about the outcome.  They celebrated, gave hoorays and high-fives.  Not long after the road was cleared, the flags were rolled back and they all went back to their families. Another battle in Mi’gmaq history.

For logger Morrison “we just bought time because the main issue was not resolved. However, I’m glad that the loggers are now consulted and supported” he said. For now, there are no further negotiations scheduled. The loggers are organizing a meeting before the Listuguj Pow-Wow.

In fact Quebec has one more time avoided talks about an important question according to Dr. Metallic.  “The Mi’gmaq tried to bring Quebec and Canada to the table to talk about the fundamental issue of land title.  We need to be able to decide and manage the sustainability of the forest not only for the Mi’gmaq but also for the Birds, the Moose, the Deer, medicinal plants, etc. It’s our home.”