Students Complete Annual Moose Camp at Alaqsite’w Gitpu School

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Alaqsite’w Gitpu School (AGS) offers a variety of cultural and traditional courses, and one of these programs is a land-based course called, Outdoor Education. Outdoor Education is for students grades 5-8, where they explore Mi’gma’gi territory, and develop relationships with the land. They take part in hands-on learning such as hunting, fishing, snowshoeing, maple tapping, fire making, food sovereignty, and more. The community of Listuguj often associate Outdoor Education with the late Jonathan “Spanky” Barnaby, but since his passing, Outdoor Education Assistant, Travis Barnaby is carrying on his legacy by leading the program and sharing teachings with the students.

For the past five years, randomly selected students from grade 6 to grade 8 take part in a “Moose Camp”.  This year’s camp was held from Oct 27-29 at a chalet in Kedgwick, NB. The students, teachers and chaperones would hunt and scout the land for moose in the mornings and in the early evenings. This year the group saw a total of 42 moose, and 3 deer, and successfully brought one moose back to the community.

The moose is brought back to the Outdoor Education workshop at AGS, where it is stored in the cold room and skinned. After it is skinned, it is butchered by the students and cooked.  Hamburgers, steaks, and sausages are made with the moose. Once the process is done, the bones of the moose are then brought to the woods for other animals to feed. Since one moose can feed many people, over the past years, Outdoor Education have donated moose meat to those in need in the community, and even to an organization in Montreal.  The students take pride in contributing their moose and supporting their community.

The Moose Camp offers valuable knowledge and experience for youth in Listuguj. The students recognize the hard work that goes into hunting and providing food for the community.  They are involved in the process from the start to finish and get to witness the importance of tradition firsthand.  Regarding the Moose Camp and land-based learning, Travis Barnaby said, “I want to keep it as traditional as possible. There is a lot of stuff that has been passed down to me by my family.”

Moose Camp 2025 attendees:

Teachers/Chaperones:
Travis Barnaby
Erwin Molley
Davery Mitchell
Jennifer Morrison
Crystal Moffat

Students:
Tessa Barnaby
Kiana Anderson-Isaac
Tucker Barnaby
Knoxx Vicaire
Mckenna Metallic
Donna Isaac Brisk
Buzz Doucette
Elijah Isaac

By Ann Marie Jacques

A Heartfelt Thank You to the Listuguj Garden Staff

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Every season, the The Listuguj Garden Staff devote their time in providing the community with fresh, harvested produce. Their commitment and dedication to the community does not go unnoticed, and the staff go above and beyond – rain or shine – to promote food sovereignty and healthy living in Listuguj.

Thank you to the team:

  •  Sue Ann Clement – Garden Coordinator
  • Tom Martin – Supervisor
  • David Mitchell Jr
  • Jeremiah Clement
  • Agathe Isaac
  • Kim Norton
  • Clorisa Mitchell
  • Blake Clement

The Listuguj Rangers – Protecting Mi’gmaw Fishing and Hunting Rights Since 1994

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After the salmon raids of 1981, regulation and self-governance was needed in the community, therefore the Listuguj Rangers department was established in 1994. Since then, they have gone on to be an integral part of Listuguj: helping protect the Mi’gmaw’s fishing and hunting rights, assisting with Public Security and educating the public on the importance of conservation. As of today, the Listuguj Rangers have approximately 30 members on their team, six boats and 5 fully serviced trucks.

Don Leo Arsenault has an impressive and extensive work background. He was a US Marine in the 90’s, he worked for the Listuguj Police Department, he was a commercial fisherman, and has worked on and off as a Ranger in the community since 1998. Two years ago, he took on the role as Chief Ranger. When it comes to his role, Arsenault said, “Seeking out this job, and coming back to work here, it’s all about being out in nature. Just going to patrol on the river, it’s not a job per-se, when you’re out there, you feel like what people would feel on vacation.”

The Listuguj Rangers protect the Restigouche River and cover the annual salmon fishing season in June/July, rock crab fishing, and seasonal lobster fishing in Carleton. They now monitor a new zone for lobster fishing within Miguasha. They are also responsible for patrolling up in the woods during the Fall hunting season. They work to ensure all laws and agreements that have been implemented in the community are abided by and respected.

They collaborate with Public Security in the community when needed and will help with roadblocks and other duties as they arise. They donate and distribute salmon and lobster and take part in a number of fundraising events in the community.

Receiving training for Search and Rescue duties when needed in the community is a possibility for the future.  If an incident were to happen in the river, or in the woods, the Listuguj Rangers would be called to assist. Search and Rescue training would include the use of GPS and grid squares, and ensuring all surrounding areas are covered.

In June, 20 Rangers graduated from College d’Alma with a diploma in Wildlife Protection. This program provides in-depth training regarding wildlife and their habitats. Having official certification from the government opens more funding opportunities for the department.

Since 1994, the Listuguj Rangers have been managed under their own government, and have worked harmoniously with the community and surrounding areas. They continue to work to preserve, manage and conserve all natural resources and the right to fish and hunt.

By Ann Marie Jacques