Waqatasg Elders Stitch Their Story into Communal Quilt

Last month the Elders at the Waqatasg Elders Home, were given the opportunity to create a quilt piece for the Commission de la santé et des services sociaux. This quilt will be combined with pieces from other communities and will eventually be on display at Waqatasg.

Listuguj’s Claire Metallic is a Summer Student currently working as an Activity Coordinator at Waqatasg. Here is what she said about this opportunity:

“With the guidance and wisdom of the elders here, we have created a section of the quilt that we believe best represents the heart of our community. Listuguj is especially known for our salmon, fiddleheads, and hazelnuts, each of which holds deep meaning for us.

At the top of our quilt piece, you’ll find hazelnuts. For generations, our families have gathered hazelnuts each autumn, a tradition that not only nourishes us but also brings our community together and connects us to our land. In the middle, we have depicted salmon, which has always been sacred to the Mi’kmaq people; salmon is central to our ceremonies and stories and has long served as a mainstay for our survival.

Our relationship with the salmon reflects respect, gratitude, and a responsibility to protect the natural world. At the bottom are fiddleheads, a delicacy that grows abundantly in our region. Harvesting fiddleheads is an annual event, weaving together practical sustenance and artistic inspiration—these coiled ferns not only feed our bodies but also appear in our art, symbolizing renewal and resilience.

Throughout this creative process, we have worked thoughtfully, gathering ideas and drawing upon our shared history. Now, it is a great honor to present to you our quilt piece, a tribute to the traditions and cherished resources that define Listuguj Mi’kmaq First Nation. We hope that by sharing our contribution, others will gain a deeper appreciation for our enduring connection to the land and the customs that unite our people.”

By Ann Marie Jacques