Challenges and People Coming Together

MAY, 2020 • VOLUME 31, NO. 05 • PMA #40008038 NEWS STAND PRICE $2.25 LSK Staff Still Thinking Of Their Students Pages 12-18 Etquljuiku’s Monthly Reminder of being Mi’kmaw May - Frog Croaking Time Pulblished by Mi’kmaq-Maliseet Nations News Association b Serving Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Eastern Quebec, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland Challenges And People Coming Together by Ambrah MacNeil MMNN Contributor A Story About Overcoming Challenges, People Coming Together And Spreading Joy And Generosity hildren can be so many things. By nature, they can be Ccompassionate, creative, resourceful and resilient and they often exhibit these qualities during challenging times. Challenging times like right now, during Covid-19 isolation. Kenzlie Paul, 6, daugh- ter of Kerri Oliver and Jer- emy Paul had a great idea while having to stay home. Pre-pandemic, Kenzlie was a busy little girl as a grade primary student at LSK in Sipekne’katik and dancer in a dance troupe practicing many hours a week. She A sample of Kenzlie’s “Treat bags”. thought of ways to keep her- kicked in funds along with to challenge herself during self busy. On April 16th, she Kassidy and Kylie. Ultim- a challenging time. It all announced to her family she ately, Kenzlie was success- started with some creativity, wanted to challenge herself ful with her challenge and compassion, resourceful- during what were already also ended up with $330! ness and resiliency. b challenging times. She was inspired by Kenzlie on a delivery run. Kenzlie bet her sis- how nice everyone was and ter, Kylie, and her cousin, wanted to do something nice Kassidy $5 each that she for others. She decided, that could stay in one room for with her funds, she wanted 24 hours. Her mother sug- to make up treat bags along gested she use her room, as with crayons and activity it had a bathroom attached. books to give out to children She told her mother that was in surrounding commun- too easy and opted for the ities. When out for a supply main bathroom for her 24 run to the dollar store, her hour squat spot. She pre- mother Facetimed with her pared for the challenge by daughters to help pick out packing blankets, clothes items for the packs. In total, and toys before her “trip”. they made up 49 packages She even ate her meals and and proceeded to drop them snacks in her made up bed- off, with social distancing in the bathtub. a priority, to doorsteps of After her mom posted to children in Milford, Lantz, friends and family on so- Enfield and Sipekne’katik. cial media about Kenzlie’s Kenzlie managed to self-appointed challenge, bring a smile to many chil- the response was over- dren’s and parents’ faces whelming. So many people the day she dropped off her cheered her on and even fun packs. She had an idea Kenzlie’s “bed” for the next 24 hours. (Top) Kenzlie’s sister Kylie, so proud of her sister. PAGE 2 MI’KMAQ-MALISEET NATIONS NEWS, MAY 2020 Shubenacadie Heritage River thing, a concept is known by Charlie Fleming Research & Field Technician, as Netukulimk. There was a MCG way to commute on the river but with no gas-powered he Bay of Fundy motors, they relied on birch watershed is home bark canoes to travel across of the worlds high- Nova Scotia for hunting, Test tides and attracts tour- fishing, or moving camp. ist from around the world. The Shubenacadie River These tides force their way is home to aquatic life, ani- up the Shubenacadie Riv- mals, birds, vegetation, and er providing activities for the Mi’kmaw people. It is tourist and residents to important for today’s soci- participate in; tidal bore ety to remember that the rafting, mud sliding, rec- Mi’kmaq were here well reational Striped bass fish- before we were, and that we ing, and you may see some have the privilege of enjoy- commercial Gaspereau ing the lands of Mi’kma’ki. fishers out in a boat. In order to achieve the path The Shubenacadie Riv- of truth and reconciliation er flows 72km from Grand and take society in the right lake to Black Rock before direction, it is important to entering the Cobequid follow the voices from our Hoop net collecting fish data in Milford. Basin. Exiting at the other Mi’kmaq and Indigenous end of Grand lake is the community members and Shubenacadie canal, which their Elders, as they know flows from Grand lake into what is best for this land Dartmouth cove on the At- that they have been living lantic side of Nova Scotia. on for thousands of years. The Shubenacadie River The Mi’kmaw Conserv- system has both freshwater ation Group is working and saltwater ecosystems on establishing a baseline where you can find differ- study in order to monitor ent fish species and habi- the aquatic life and health of tats. Each species has their the river. The Shubenacadie own migration and spawn- River Monitoring Team is ing timings, so it is im- on the river all times of the portant that we respect each year from Black Rock to species season in the river. Grand Lake using a beach The Shubenacadie river seine, hoop/fyke hybrid net has changed over time, fa- to collect fish data, tagging cing human impacts such as and tracking Tomcod and the banks full of fishermen monitoring water quality. If losing line and gear dur- you ever see us on the river ing fishing seasons, motor we would be happy to meet boats disturbing the vege- and talk to you, even if tated river bottom, run off you stop by just to watch, from farmland, and infra- help or give some advice or structure encroachment. All knowledge that you think of these impacts contribute may help the project and to the degradation of the protect this river for the health of the river and the next seven generations. b lands. The historical Shu- (L-R) Charlie and Joe sampling the beach seine net at Black rock. benacadie river system flows across Nova Scotia and is full of wonder, mys- tery and history. The Mi’kmaq that lived on this land before colonization, used the river for a way of life rather than simply entertainment. Tradition fishing was not catch and release. Mi’kmaq caught fish, hunted game, and gathered berries and fruits that they were go- ing to eat and give to their community for food. They would only take what they needed and not waste any- Punamu (Tomcod). MI’KMAQ-MALISEET NATIONS NEWS, MAY 2020 PAGE 3 Grandchildren Are ‘Little Bear Cubs Hibernating’ his family and commun- them back out on the land. “They are our brothers by Oscar Baker III Courtesy of the Cape Breton Post ity helped shape his work “When were on the land and sisters and must be ethic. His mother Makit that is the perfect expression treated with respect, and Unama’ki Moose Paul raised him and his of being L’nu,” said Paul. that’s my job today,” said Management Co-Ordinator four siblings to appreciate He said the land is where Paul Says Grandchildren Are love, respect and education. he usually goes to heal be- His craft business is cur- ‘Little Bear Cubs She was also a resourceful cause it balances him spirit- rently on hold because of Hibernating’ During woman who crafted Christ- ually, emotionally, mentally COVID-19 restrictions. Pandemic mas bells, beadwork and and physically. And he can’t Clifford Paul ESKASONI — Clifford hand-crafted fl owers. wait to return to it. Age: 56 Paul remembers install- “They gave us an incred- Paul is the moose Hometown: Membertou ing drywall with his fath- ible life in Membertou,” management co-ordinator First Nation er, Melvin Paul, when he said Paul. at the Unama’ki Institute of Family: fi ve adult children was 11 years old. His father He thinks it’s a perfect Natural Resources and for- and 11 grandchil- stopped him and told him time to refl ect on the value merly worked as a journalist dren he better do the job right be- of family. Paul has fi ve adult for 11 years, as well as in Pets: one cat, Jonesy cause his name was attached children, 11 grandchildren dispatch and records at the Work: Moose management to his work. and one cat, Jonesy. He is tribal police force. He said co-ordinator at the “He made me realize hey proud of how his grandchil- his dad instilled in him the Unama’ki Insitute I can’t rush through this job. dren are being raised. value of hard work. He also of Natural Resour- I have to make sure I do “They’re like little bear Clifford Paul. runs a craft company called ces and owner of it properly because being cubs hibernating in a cave itional medicines. Paul is a “I have a lot of import- Bearman Authentic. Bearman authentics Mi’kmaq, like my father as waiting for this quarantine licensed outdoor guide and ant moments ahead with my Paul said he is still work- Quote: “I’m very proud of a Mi’kmaw contractor, you to end,” said Paul. a self-described Mi’kmaw grandchildren and my chil- ing from home through the my people, proud have to be the best in your “Kids today are pretty food sovereigntist. He dren as well,” said Paul. Zoom app. He sees his role of the Mi’kmaq fi eld because no one would strong and resilient.” wants his grandchildren to He said they already as reminding people of the and how hard we hire a native person other- His grandchildren vary value providing food for know how to fi sh and value importance of the moose worked to overcome wise,” said the 56-year-old.

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