Winter Carnvial at AGS

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AGS students got to take a break, even if it was too cold for the outdoor plans.

The Winter Carnival was held on March 3rd and 4th. And while the two days included activities like watching movies and playing basketball games, the events also had other benefits for the Elementary and Middle School kids.

Jean Isaac is one of the teachers responsible for organizing the events for the Middle School students.

“We wanted to challenge them,” she said.16-03 AGS Winter Carnival21

The students all began in their homerooms, and then moved to different classrooms, for 30 minutes at a time. Some of activities required math skills, or concentration. Others had benefits that weren’t quite so obvious.

The day was deliberately planned to encourage the students. They had to interact with some of the teachers they haven’t had classes with yet. For one game, they had to get in front of the group, even if they are a little shy.

Jean has found that smaller groups helps encourage the kids to interact. A little competitive edge helps too.

Jean supervised games of “Heads Up.” The game requires one student to hold a phone to his or her forehead. The group can see a word on the screen, and they have to act it out. The person holding the phone has to guess what the word is. Guys played against the girls for “bragging rights.”

“They were laughing, they were engaged. They were sharing, they’re helping each other, which you don’t see everyday,” Jean said.

Exploring Mi’gma’gi

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For Sheila Swasson, finding a reason to get outside during the winters has made all the difference.

Swasson can often be seen encouraging people to join her on snowshoe treks behind her house, the former Busteed land.

“Sometimes there could just be me, or there could be anywhere between 2 to 15 of us on the trails,” Swasson said. “We can do anywhere between 2 kilometers to about 4 to 5 kilometers.”

Swasson has been heading out for the last few winters, but says it has become much more organized this year. She thinks it’s great.

The treks have been bringing her back to hidden childhood spots, like “grandmother’s field,” and the camp built by the late John Dedam, where a generator powered lights that could been seen from the highway every Christmas.

But for Swasson, being active in the winter is important for many reasons.

“Many years ago, I was suffering from seasonal depression,” she said. “The winter months seemed so long, so cold, so bleak. But now I pray for this — when it starts to snow, because I know the trails are going to get a good boost. We get to go outdoors and play in the snow, and you know, enjoy each other’s company.”

Swasson said some of the others have reported the same benefits from their winter exercise. She encourages everyone to try it.

“This is free. Just get your snowshoes and head out.”

LMDC Career Fair

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Listuguj students had the opportunity to explore future plans on Feb. 24. The LMDC organized a career fair, and invited a mix of professionals to represent their fields. 

The hope was to create an event that was engaging.

“Not just to go around to the tables and pick up pamphlets,” said Bobbi Madahbee, the Re-Investment Manager with the Listuguj Education Directorate. “We wanted them to actually get interactive with them.”

NBCC had two simulators with joysticks set up. Students got to try their hand at running excavators.

“The young people are use to video games, but when they started on the simulator there was a little difficult at first,” said Constance Sewell, the Aboriginal Student Advisor for NBCC in Miramichi and Moncton. “So I could see a little frustration, but they did really well.”

A survey beforehand helped the organizers gage interests. They invited guests, and planned presentations accordingly. The second half of the visits were intended to directly address the students interests. Panelist spoke about Education and Business in one classroom, and Health and Law in another.

“We were really surprised at some of the outcomes,” said Madahbee. “A lot of the kids want to go into entrepreneurship.”

Other popular fields identified in the survey were graphic and video game design. Davinci College was present to explain some of their programs.

Fashion, and design were also identified as big interests. Whitney Dedam, from Listuguj, had a table. She works as a hair stylist in Moncton, and is now the only educator with Johnny B Hair Care in Canada. The training took her to Los Angeles.

And aside from trying to help students learn a bit more about careers they may be interested in, the organizers of the career fair also wanted to provide the opportunity to learn about other careers that may be in demand.

Representatives from the MMS offered information on careers needed for the Mesgi’g Ugju’s’n Wind Farm.

As much as the fair was for kids to learn more about what they were already interested in, it was also to help expose them to the many careers out there. Especially for those who don’t know what they want to do yet. 

“Not knowing – there’s no need to panic,” said Madahbee. “It’s just, don’t be scared to get out there and try things and take risks, and challenge yourself. I think that’s what we really want to get across to the kids.”

Mesgi’g Ugju’s’n Wind Farm

Terri Lynn Morrison and Natalia Caplin at the LMDC Career Fair speaking about the WindFarm.

Terri Lynn Morrison and Natalia Caplin at the LMDC Career Fair speaking about the WindFarm.

“When we first started working on the wind Farm, we were focused on the construction side of it. So now that we’re going to be in commercial operation December 1st, we’re now looking at the operations, the long-term opportunities for the next 20 years, and that’s why right now we’re dong a big push to have people go out to get certified as wind turbine servicetechnicians,” Terri Lynn Morrison.

Two students are in Maine right, and will have completed their program in June. They already have conditional offers of employment. But Morrison said there is room for at least two more, and potentially more than that.

“And in the area – we have partnerships with all the other developers now, they know us, we’re very well positioned in Gaspesie, so they are open to hiring Mi’gmaq Service Technicians,” she said. “So the opportunities are there for the long term. It’s careers, it’s not just a short term construction period.”

Whitney Dedam

Whiteny Dedam at the LMDC Career Fair on Feb. 24.

Whiteny Dedam at the LMDC Career Fair on Feb. 24.

“Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist,” is one of Whitney Dedam’s favorite quotes.

“Once you know the basics, hey, it’s your own world,” she said.

Dedam moved to Moncton to become a hair stylist.

“I didn’t know anybody there. I didn’t know anybody at all, so I was scared. I moved up pretty much blind and by myself. And as soon as school startd you get to know people, it’s just a matter of putting yourself out there and just doing it.”

She is now the manager of the barber area of her shop, and is the only official brand ambassador for Johnny B hair care.

She even taught a her first class in February, at the same school she graduated from.

Dedam struggled, and says she still “lives like a student” sometimes, but she loves what she does, and believes there’s opportunities for anyone who wants it.

“You just have to learn how to – or know – and want to put yourself out there a little bit. It’s scary. Sometimes I’m still scared.”

Walgwan Center

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The Walgwan Center in Gesgapegiag is not a detox center, it’s a rehabilitation center.

Natalie & Kayla Black and White

Natalie Clark, and Kayla Gedeon at the Walgwan Center. (Photo: Submitted)

“It’s a rehabilitation center, in the sense of wanting to have a healthier way of life. A healthier way of being, and conducting one’s life,” said Natalie Clark, an outreach worker who began in January.

The center is capable of addressing a wide variety of issues, ranging from grief to substance misuse.

It is aimed at First Nation youth between 12 and 17 years old. Programs include a three-month in-center stay, a four-week prevention program, and in-community counseling.

It serves communities across Atlantic Canada and Quebec. Attempts are made to have the groups evenly split – half boys and half girls, as well as half English and half French.

There have been some changes at the center this year, and they’re trying to make sure the communities are aware of them.

A big one for Listuguj, Eel River Bar and Gesgapegiag is access to Kayla Gedeon, the new Outpatient Counselor.

“She can go and counsel the youth in their respective communities,” said Clark. “That’s something that was needed.”

The main program is the three-month stay at the center. Participation is entirely voluntary.

“It’s not boot camp, but it’s not a summer camp either,” Clark said

The days are jammed packed. Clark said many participants aren’t use to going to sleep at 10 p.m., but after their first week, they’re begging to go to sleep by 8:30 p.m.

Clark said the program is 90 per cent culturally based. An elder works in the building every day, orchestrates ceremonies, and is always available to talk. The heavy focus on culture is also a recent development for the center, but again, it’s not forced on anyone.

“It’s something that we’ve seen that works,” Clark said.

A four-week prevention program is also available. The team attempts to condense the main program as much as possible.

The point is to offer help in whatever way people are comfortable.

“Yes, I’m promoting our center, but it’s not for every single First Nation youth,” said Clark. “They have to be ready to work on themselves if they want the program to be efficient for them.”

“I think we’re on the ball, and we’re out there listening to what the community and what the youth are saying, and trying to adjust the program as they go.”

Looking forward with the Chief

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After the first few weeks of 2016, Chief Scott Martin sits at his desk, surrounded by stacks of papers. At the very top is a sheet signed on Jan. 18.  It finalizes the creation of the trust fund – the final step in the settlement agreement.

The official creation of this fund is the last piece of the puzzle, and Chief Martin feels good about it –  nothing was overlooked.

“[There’s] a lot of happy people,” he said. “It was a long process.”

The fund will hold the per capita distribution (PCD) funds for the 793 minors who are eligible to withdraw their portion once they turn 18. It will also hold the funds for the 431 band members that have not applied yet. They have five years to do so.

With this completed, focus can now shift to other projects and priorities

“We intend to create more employment for the community,” Chief Martin said.

A lot of interesting options are being considered, including partnerships with investors on a medicinal marijuana facility. Chief Martin was approached at the start of the year about creating a proposal. Discussions will continue. It will require a lot of work, but it has the potential to generate revenue, and jobs.

Another potential project is the gas station. As the planning work is being done, the vision is becoming clearer. The goal would be for it to be more than just fuel pumps. An attached strip mall is being considered. A seafood restaurant is also under consideration.

“There’s about 2 million tourists that go through the highway every year,” Chief Martin said.

The LMG has already identified willing investors. 

Chief Martin also confirmed that the election term will definitely not be changed this election. Changing to four-year terms can be done with an order from Chief and Council, after two public consultations. But he doesn’t want to rush it.

“I’d rather give them more time,” he said.

However, the last 18 months saw a lot of progress.

“Coming into a 20 million dollar deficit, [with] old files that were never resolved – we resolved a lot of them.”

The result was stability in the eyes of the Federal Government. The LMG was released from the Management Action Plan (MAP), which has re-opened doors.

Now, with access to Ministerial Loan Guarantees again, the LMG intends to work toward returning to the building capacity of as much as 20 homes a year.

Working with the new provincial and federal governments is looking good in a variety of ways. Both have expressed interest in exploring how they can help.

This year will also see results and progress from ongoing projects, including the fishing quota allocation to PEI, and completing agreements involving the wind farm.

“It looks promising for the future,” Chief Martin said. “We’re starting to go forward.”

support Mi'gmaq organizations in the fight to prevent oil exploration in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

Water Ceremony with Ethan Hawke

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Ethan Hawke recently threw the weight of celebrity behind the fight to protect the Gulf of St. Lawrence from oil exploration.

Hawke appeared at a water ceremony and press conference at Paq’tnkek First Nation in Nova Scotia on October 26th. The Mi’gmawei Mawiomi Secretariat helped organize the event, along with the leadership of Gesgapegiag, Gespeg, Listuguj, and Paq’tnkek. Chief Scott Martin was present.

The event garnered a lot of attention — bringing the cause to the pages of the Chronicle Herald, local newspapers in Nova Scotia, the CBC, APTN, and more.

“I really like how they’re using their indigenous rights to help us all,” Hawke recently said in an interview on CTV’s Canada AM.

The MMS, and the entire Save our Seas and Shores Coalition, are calling for a 12-year drilling moratorium in the Gulf. This will prevent further exploration.

So far, things have been looking good.

“If you read between the lines, Corridor is not going to go and drill right now,” said Troy Jerome, the Executive Director of the MMS.

Corridor Resources Inc. is the company interested in exploring for oil and gas at the “Old Harry” site. The company has identified a “salt dome” — a geological formation where oil and gas are sometimes known to collect. The site is nearly in the center of the Gulf.

“[It’s] harder to mitigate, harder to capture oil if it was gone. It’s prone to ice, the high seas, it’s far away,” said Jerome. “The reason we’re extra vigilant about that area, is because of those factors.”

So far, there has not been any site-specific consultations, or studies, that the MMS is aware of. The crown has a fiduciary duty to consult First Nation’s communities on such projects. Corridor Resource’s exploration permit is up in March, but they are believed to be seeking an extension.

Jerome said everyone on the opposition front are happy with the progress so far.

“On the Newfoundland side, seems like that is — I wouldn’t say ‘dying down’ — but it’s at least: we’re there, we have some traction, there we go,” Jerome said. “But on the Quebec side, the strategic environmental assessment is coming out.”

Jerome said they’ve made it clear to the Quebec government that, “under no circumstances — any discussions we would have — would we be open to the Gulf.”

Jerome said one thing, at the very least, is essential — a comprehensive study of the Gulf as a whole. One hasn’t been done, and the province’s own strategic environmental assessment two-years ago identified large knowledge gaps.

Luckily for the Coalition, Jerome said the Quebec government has cited social acceptability as a factor when evaluating projects and development. Jerome also said that no other project of its kind has ever come up against so much opposition as the Gulf exploration has.

The MMS plans to approach other large organizations, in hopes of making their opposition publicly known.

Ethan Hawke was easily persuaded to speak out. He has owned property beside Paq’tnkek First Nation along the St. George’s Bay for 15 years. He spoke of the beauty that struck him when he first visited 20 years ago, and his hope that his family will be able to continue coming back to the area.

“It was a real honor to be here today,” he said. “It’s bigger than any one of us, it’s bigger than any one generation.”

Listuguj Joe Robert Memorial Hockey Tournament

Joe Robert Memorial Hockey Tournament

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A new committee has formed to organize the Joe Robert Memorial Hockey Tournament, and provide two scholarships annually.

The committee is kicking off its first year with two $500 scholarships for Listuguj youth graduating  in 2016. The committee is looking for students “who are well versed in athletics, and in academics.”

The committee hopes to carry on this scholarship. But it also has other ambitions.

“It’d be nice to have something that’s community driven, and community maintained,” said Isaac.

“Giving back to the community is something that is very important, and we hope these scholarships will help youth who are pursuing post-secondary education.”

Isaac said he can imagine a fund, designated to helping athletes whenever they need it, year-round, in a variety of ways.

For now, the scholarship coincides with the revival – and renaming – of what is now known as the Joe Robert Memorial Hockey Tournament.

The last hockey tournament was in 2013. It’s now named in honor of Joe Robert Metallic.

“He was very athletic,” Isaac said. “He was always a good supporter of athletics in the community. You’d see him at our tournaments. You’d see him at our softball games.”

Metallic was known to be playing hockey in his 70’s. 

The tournament will be on January 22, at the Memorial Civic Center, with a total of at least $5,250 in prizes to be awarded to division A and division B teams. Listuguj already has teams in both divisions. The deposit deadline is January 15.

The scholarship is already accounted for, with help from donations from local businesses, including a $3,000 donations from True Sport.

A CCM RBZ Stage 2 hockey stick will be raffled off on Nov. 30, live at noon on CHRQ. Tickets are $5 for 1, or $10 for 3. There will also be a spaghetti lunch on the January 13th, as an additional fundraiser.

Proceeds will go to covering the cost of the tournament, and continuing it on an annual basis.

Restorative Justice

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National Addictions Awareness Week opened the door for many, related topics to be discussed. One was “Restorative Justice,” and the study Cathy Martin recently helped complete.

“It correlates with National Addictions week because [it’s] the number one thing that came out of the survey so far,” Martin said. “The large majority of crimes in Listuguj, for the Community and Safety Wellness Plan, originates from addictions.”

Martin gave a presentation on the plan to close out the National Addictions Week events.

The Community and Safety Wellness Plan began in 2012. Martin just recently got involved to finish it. She has been involved with the Restorative Justice Healing Circle Committee since 2009. It has been active in Listuguj since 2004.

Restorative Justice provides an opportunity for those convicted of – relatively – minor crimes to stay out of the court system, and avoid criminal records.

A committee is made up of qualified people from different fields.  The accused person hears about the crime and it’s impact on the victim, families, and the community. 

“You have to have restitution for your crime, you have to address your victim,” Martin said. “And you have to really have remorse.”

Many report the process being harder than the court system, but it has been proving to be effective. It is entirely a voluntary option. But one that is not widely known, yet.

Playground Ribbon Cuting

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Even with the rain, many came out to celebrate the opening of the new community park. Over $80,000 was raised in total. 

“I think a few people did double takes when we went from 5,000 to 65,000 in a matter of days,” said Sheila Swasson, one of the organizers of the project. “This project is very near and dear to my heart. Right now, it’s swelling with thanks and gratitude for all the contributions that made this dream a reality.”

A project that developed from the interest a single swing set generated, is now a full, modern playground for the kids to enjoy for years to come.

A big part of the fundraising was a donation from Invenergy – a company involved with the Mesgi’g Ugju’s’n Wind Farm. It donated $52,588.38.

Frits de Kiewit, the Director of Development for Quebec and the Maritimes, said the company will contribute to community projects and opportunities for “many years.”

“The project for a new playground just gave us an opportunity to jump-start and underscore our intentions,” he said.

The community also donated a lot, in many different forms.

Victoria Labillois, the MC of the ribbon cutting, told a story of when Swasson was up on a ladder, coloring in the thermometer.

A man walk up and asked what she was doing. After explaining the plans for a park, he dug in his pocket a found a toonie. He gave it to her.

“You know what,” said Labillois, “that’s a big part, and that says a lot. Because that’s who we are Listuguj. We come together, and we give what we have.”

Video

Remembrance Day Ceremony 2015

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The Remembrance Day Ceremony at AGS school keeps growing. Last year organizers had to set up more tables. It is always held at 11:00 a.m. on November 11th.

“We’re growing out of the AGS,” said Mary Bradstreet, one of the organizers. “It seems like there’s more people that are coming out to support this event marked for the Veterans.”

Bradstreet is excited about some of the plans for this year, which includes the local drumming group, Spirit Bear.

“They sing ‘Soldier Boy’ and that’s so powerful when you hear that,” Bradstreet said. “And this year we have a litter girl – she’s about 7 years-old – and she’s going to be singing O’Canada in Mi’gmaq. Her voice is powerful and she will give you shivers. Her name is Annie Morrison.”

The committee is also hosting its major fundraiser on Friday, Nov. 6 – a silent auction at the Elder’s lodge, followed by a Steak and Rice Supper. Plates are $5. The auction is held from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m.

Bradstreet has been surprised by the many amazing donations this year.

“It’s going to help the veterans in so many ways,” Bradstreet said.

The money goes toward the many events organized by the committee, namely the Remembrance Day Ceremony, and the Flag Raising Ceremony held on Aboriginal Day, June 21st.

Thanks to the direction of the committee’s president, John Mitchell, the Flag Raising Ceremony now includes a Missing In Action (MIA) and Prisoners of War (POW) Flag , to honour the two POWs from the community, and one man who was missing in action.

The committee also grants a $500 scholarship to a high school graduate every year, provided they have the funds.

The committee originally began in 2009 to help fundraise for the Veteran’s Monument.

Bradstreet only got involved because she was looking for an activity to be involved with. She says it has grown into a passion for her.

There’s been a lot to learn, including important ways of showing respect to our Veterans.

Aside from the hard work that the committee puts in to make these events possible, Bradstreet is inspired by the veterans – like the one retired marine who always salutes until every single name is called out at the ceremony, or the retired marines who retire the flag every year.

“I am very grateful to be involved with a group of people who share the commitment and passion in giving back to the Veterans of our community, who we thank for our freedom,” she said.

The Remembrance Day Ceremony at AGS in 2014.

The Remembrance Day Ceremony at AGS in 2014.