Brian Moon Releases New Single, “Train Wreck Love.”

/0 Comments/in , /by

Listuguj’s own Brian Moon, had an interest in music from a very young age. When he was five years old, he won a singing contest, and the rest is history.

When he moved to Ontario, he was part of a number of country music groups, one alongside Wally Moon. Brian Moon went on the road with the band, Rarebreed from Coast to Coast in Canada. He eventually moved to Nashville, Tennessee, where he resided for 14 years, and toured the states, headlining several casinos and state fairs.

In 2020, Moon was inducted into the North American Country Music Association Internation (NACMAI) Hall of Fame. The induction was postponed until 2022, due to the COVID-19.

Not only is Moon a talented country music singer and guitar player, but he is also the owner and Program Director of 89.9 FM KIC Country Montreal, located on Mohawk Territory of Kahnawake, QC.

Back in March of this year, Moon released his brand new single titled, “Train Wreck Love” accompanied by a music video. He released another single at this time, with Leona Williams, ex wife of the late Merle Haggard.

Moon will be in the area with two performances over the Summer. He will be kicking off Listuguj’s Annual Pow Wow with the Mi’gmaq Boys on Friday, August 2nd at 7PM. He will also be playing at Sugarloaf Provincial Park on Monday, August 5th for New Brunswick Day.

When it comes to future plans, Moon says he has great things coming up. He also said, “I just want to thank everyone who likes my music and keep requesting it on the radio!”

Find Brian Moon’s music, along with his new single “Train Wreck Love” on various streaming platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music and Youtube, Dr. Cathy Martin also has physical copies available on CD and USB.

By Ann Marie Jacques

Listuguj’s Grocery Voucher Program

/0 Comments/in , /by

The Listuguj Community Social Services Directorate (LCSSD) offers several beneficial services and programs to aid in the well-being of community members. One of these programs is the Grocery Voucher Program.

The Grocery Voucher Program (“food vouchers”) is a redeemable paper document that clients can use at the local IGA Extra grocery store in Campbellton, New Brunswick. This program was implemented in place of the physical food bank that was offered to registered band members in the past. It is available to all Elders, Social Assistance Clients, and individuals with low income. Individuals who wish to utilize this resource must apply every 30 days.

To apply, individuals need to fill out an application which requires mandatory information such as: name, address, band number, number of children and household members, etc. Individuals can apply for these vouchers every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. The vouchers are processed and created on Thursday and are available for pickup at LCSSD at 2 Gef St. every Friday. Due to Summer hours, pickup of food vouchers will be available Fridays until noon until August 30th.

Khaliah Barnaby Morrison is the Community Support Coordinator at LCSSD and runs the Grocery Voucher Program. When it comes to the importance of this program, Barnaby Morrison said, “This initiative is significant for our community as it allows people to have agency over their spending and shop specifically for their dietary needs. This program also allows our department to fully see how necessary the program is to individuals and their families, especially in our current climate of extreme food pricing. Helping individuals and families, and providing relief is the most crucial part of this program.”

If you would like to apply for food vouchers, or would like more information on this available resource, please contact Khaliah Barnaby Morrison at 418-788-3039, by email at khaliah.barnaby@listuguj.ca or in person at 2 Gef St.

By Ann Marie Jacques

What’s New at Waqatasg Elders Home?

/0 Comments/in , /by

On July 19th, a staff orientation meeting was held at the Waqatasg Elders Home for all new staff: Management, Nursing, Personal Support Workers, Administrative, Kitchen, Maintenance, and Custodial.

The following week, Waqatasg opened its doors to two Listuguj Elders who are currently residing in other facilities outside of the community.

The community is looking forward to having our Elders back home.

Congratulations to the new team at Waqatasg so far!

There are still nursing positions and other positions available. For more information on available jobs at the Waqatasg Elders Home, click the link below.
https://listuguj.ca/jobs/

By Ann Marie Jacques

Maternal & Child Health Program

/0 Comments/in , /by

The Maternal and Child Health program provides prenatal care, including monthly prenatal follow up assessments, assistance with finding a doctor to follow you through your pregnancy in collaboration with CLSC, referrals to Midwifery services, group activities and teachings, as well as incentives if followed regularly. There is additionally a continuum of care postnatally, including a postnatal follow up assessment of Mother and Baby 24-48 hours after discharge from hospital, breastfeeding support, and additional postpartum support and resources available as needed. In addition to pregnancy, the Maternal and Child Health program will follow your baby for regular growth and development assessments, immunizations, as well as assistance with referrals for any additional needs.
If any of these services are required, of you have any further question, please call the Listuguj Community Health Center at 418-788-2155, and request to speak to a member of the MCH team.  

Listuguj to Get New Police Station

/0 Comments/in /by

The Listuguj Police Department (LPD) is scheduled to have a new home by August 2024. The building is currently under construction on Highway 132.

Sharon Barnaby has been working with the LPD since 2000. She began as a Constable, took on the role of Investigator, and, as of March this year, the Interim Chief of Police. Barnaby and her team are looking forward to moving into the spacious new station. “The officers, being the foundation of the police department, their squad room will be three times the size it is now,” said Barnaby. The LPD has been in its current building on Pacific Drive since 2006. Since then, the department has obtained much more equipment and technology, and its team has grown significantly, as has the infrastructure around the station.

When it comes to moving locations, Barnaby said, “We look at where we’re at centrally; in the past, it was fine, but then they built Head Start, which shares our parking lot. We have the daycare that’s in proximity to us. We have Haven House right there, and we have the Health Center. At any given moment, our parking lot can be filled with people.”

In the Spring of 2023, the project began with a Call for Tender for the construction of the new police station. The project is fully funded by the Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness of Canada and the Ministère de la Sécurité publique of Quebec. The Listuguj Mi’gmaq Government’s Chief Executive Officer, Bassem Abdrabou said, “The building will have more room and space. It will accommodate the continuous growth of Listuguj and the future plans for the Police Department to ensure the safety of the community.”

By Ann Marie Jacques

Local Business Spotlight – Wasueg 3D Printing

/0 Comments/in , , /by

Wasueg 3D Printing was established roughly two years ago. Interest in this business began shortly after 12-year-old Aliyah Wasueg Bernard received a 3D printer for her Birthday. Her siblings, 10-year-old Anthony Bernard Savoie and 8-year-old Ayanna Bernard Savoie, received 3D printers shortly after.

All three children attend Alaqsite’w Gitpu School (AGS) in Listuguj and developed a passion for 3D printing after enrolling in the school’s STEAM (Science, Technology, Arts, Engineering, and Math) program. Their dad, Gino Savoie, said, “If it weren’t for AGS, we probably would never have gotten into this.”

The business, Wasueg (meaning “flower” in Mi’gmaq), started with one printer and one roll of plastic. The family sold their creations solely on Facebook, and every penny made was reinvested into the business. Eventually, their home was filled with four 3D printers and printing materials that they needed to expand. They moved into their current location at 64 Water St. in Campbellton two months ago.

Wasueg 3D Printing creates various items and products, such as decorations and lamps. They also offer custom-made products, household item replacements, and more. Most of their products use Polylactic Acid, commonly known as PLA, for 3D printing. It is derived from corn and is 100% biodegradable. Regarding the material, Aliyah Bernard said, “If it breaks, you can put it in hot compost, garden, or in the ground, and then it will be gone.”

The children enjoy creating new products and experimenting with the 3D printers and materials. Anthony Bernard Savoie’s specialty is making gaming products, such as controllers and headphone stands. He said one of his favourite things about 3D printing is “Making big robots.”

Be sure to follow “Wasueg 3-D Printing” on Facebook for hours and available products. If you are looking for a custom item, stop into the shop on 64 Water St. or send them a Facebook message.

By Ann Marie Jacques

20 Years of Service Celebration

/0 Comments/in , , /by

At the end of May, the Listuguj Mi’gmaq Government held a celebration to recognize employees celebrating 20+ years of service with the organization.

Congratulations to the following employees:
Darla Caplin
Christopher Metallic
Bruce Mitchell
Denise Isaac
Karena Condo

Absent from photo: Vance Brisk and Winston Barnaby

Alaqsite’w Gitpu Sports Banquet 2023-2024 Winners

/0 Comments/in , , /by

Soccer
Coaches – Felix Atencio-Gonzales & Omar Louafi

Rookie of the Year – Henry Gibson
Most Improved – Emily Barnaby
Top Defensive – Grace Condo
Golden Foot Award – Alexis Metallic
Most Valuable Player – Alexis Metallic

Gitpugji’jg Basketball
Coaches – Jennifer Morrison, Jonathan Barnaby & Tyler Gedeon

Gitpugji’jg 2

Most Improved – Kiana Anderson-Isaac
Defensive Player – Trenton Morrison
Most Valuable Player – Anthony-Bernard Savoie
Rookie of the Year – Cooper Metallic

Gitpugji’jg 1

Most Improved – Levi Isaac
Defensive Player – Mia Legace
Most Valuable Player – Tucker Barnaby

Gitpu’g Basketball
Coach – Erwin Molley

Rookie of the Year – Henry Gibson
Most Improved – Macy Wysote and Tejay Barnaby
Top Defensive Player – Triton Vicaire
Most Valuable Players – Hawk Barnaby and Alexis Metallic

Gitpu’g Volleytball
Coach – Tyler Gideon

Most Improved – Vaan Barnaby and Anthony Bernard-Savoie
Defensive Player – Mia Legace
Most Valuable Player – Henry Gibson

Alaqsite’w Gitpui’sqwaq Volleyball
Coaches – Miranda Goodfellow & Jennifer Morrison

Junior Varsity

Rookie of the Year – Mila Vicaire
Most Improved – Avery Barnaby-Court
Defensive Player – Mia Legace
Most Valuable Player – Aubrey Wysote

Varsity Rookie of the Year – Kaylee Willett
Most Improved – Nahla Barnaby
Defensive Player of the Year – Alexis Metallic
Most Valuable Player – Macy Wysote

Major Awards
Fan of the Year – Mandy Belliveau
Junior Fan of the Year – Henry Gibson

Paqt’sm Award Winners:
Alexis Metallic
Jeremi Caplin-Lavoie
Levi Isaac
Amelia Isaac
Millie Legacy
Knoxx Vicaire
Emily Barnaby

Gitpuji’jg Female Athlete of the Year – Mia Legace
Gitpuji’jg Male Athlete of the Year – Henry Gibson

AGS Female Athlete of the Year – Alexis Metallic
AGS Male Athlete of the Year – Hawk Barnaby

Gathering of the Mi’gmawei Mawiomi – May 28-29, 2024

/0 Comments/in , /by

Strategic planning is a valuable management tool that provides strength in alignment while supporting change. The MMS Executive initiated the need for such work with the firm MNP last fall with the MMS staff and subsequently with the MM leadership of the three communities. Ultimately, the leadership and MMS took hold of this opportunity to come together to finalize the goals and priorities through a strategic plan that will guide the work precisely and effectively into the future.

For two days, the MEC Elders and elected officials of the three Mi’gmaq communities of Gesgapegiag, Gespeg, and Listuguj met to review, discuss and build on the alliance and vision of the MM and MMS. There was plenty of information and review of the current priorities to help guide the discussions and exercise.

The MMS had the pleasure of introducing the different files of MMS and were able to discuss extensively the importance of these priorities. The MMS staff had the opportunity to present the great diversity of files they’re currently working on, often without the required resources made available due to the challenges with the government funding.

After the presentation of the files and priorities of 2016, the MM were able to reflect on the vision and mission of the Secretariat as it’s evolved over time, we identified the need for one that reflects the current landscape. After lengthy discussions, changes were proposed to reflect the aspirations and will of the three communities.

An exercise was conducted to prioritize the issues in terms of importance and capacity resources.

At the end of these very productive two days, MNP will prepare a final MM Strategic Plan with end goals and objectives for the next 3-5 five years.

Another meeting is planned for this summer in July, where the MM will be presented with its final version in principle, to be approved. This strategic plan will guide the work of the MMS and bring us closer to the people and better structured in our approaches, empowering alignment.

We will keep you informed as we move forward with the development of the MMS Strategic Plan and all its work.

For more information, feel free to visit our new website for regular updates at www.migmawei.ca

Have a great summer and make sure to connect with the outdoors.

Welaliog

By MMS

Chief’s Corner with Chief Scott Martin – June 2024

/0 Comments/in , /by

June has been a busy month for the community!  On June 11th, Listuguj held its annual Migwite’tm 81 commemorative event. We take this day to reflect back on the salmon raids of 1981 and how the events that unfolded strengthened our community. Thank you to everyone who organized the event and those who participated in the walk. Congratulations to all our graduates from Head Start, Nursery, grade 4 Mi’gmaq Immersion, Grade 8, high school, and those completing post-secondary programs and degrees. I am very proud of you, and so is your community. Lastly, I would like to give my sincere condolences to the families who are grieving over the loss of their loved ones. I wish you all strength and support through these difficult times.