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Na’teliaq October 2018 L’nuta’ql Brings Together the Largest Collection of Mi’kmaw Recording Artists in One Show On Sunday October 28th, a Mi’kmaw Music Showcase held in Membertou Nova Scotia brought together the largest collection of Mi’kmaw recording artists ever assembled in one show. The showcase was titled “L’nuta’ql” or “it sounds indigenous”. The idea behind the L'nuta'ql Music Showcase project was to create incentives and inspire artists to begin writing, recording and performing music featuring the Mi’kmaw language. “All the recording artists recognized that we all need to do more for the language, including creating new music in the Mi’kmaw Language,” stated Artist director and co producer Jaime Battiste. “That was the main reason why many agreed to be a part of the Mi’kmaw Music Showcase” “Our language is in crisis. We have less then a third of t h e M i ’ k m a w n a t i o n a b l e t o s p e a k o u r language”, said Chief Leroy Denny, Chair of Mi’kmaw Kina’matnewey, a major sponsor of the showcase. “We need to create incentives and more visibility of the language”. 1 L’nuta’ql (Continued) In July, a contest was created asking aspiring artists to submit their music in hopes of winning a chance to perform during the showcase and record in a professional studio. The winner of the contest was SHiFT FROM THA 902, an up and coming hip hop artist with a hard, raw style driven flow. His distinctive voice and honest lyrics draw inspiration from his youth growing up in Wekoqmaq First Nation, Nova Scotia, a small reservation on Cape Breton Island. "We would like to congratulate SHiFT FROM THA 902. This is a special opportunity for the artist and the community. We look forward to hearing the final recording”, said Scott Long President of Music Nova Scotia. “Music Nova Scotia will also be working with SHiFT FROM THA 902 as part of our Orchestrated Neighbours project and we are a proud partner of the L’nuta’ql project.” Scott Ferguson, FMP Matrix producer & senior engineer will be working with SHiFT FROM THA 902 in recording a fully produced and engineered single featuring the Mi’kmaw language for the showcase. Also, a live album CD of the concert will be created by FMP Matrix so that anyone can access the new Mi’kmaw songs. Derek Johnson, singer for The Relatives recalled that his mother, Margarette Johnson, affectionately known as “Dr. Granny”, always reminded him “We are Mi’kmaq, that’s who we are, don’t be embarrassed to speak the language”. During the show, the Relatives performed a new original for the first time in more then 12 years. The show also included more then 10 Mi’kmaw recording artists from across the Atlantic. Included in the showcase were Richard Poullette of MorningStar, Hubert Francis of Eaglefeather as well as up and coming entertainers such as Kalolin Johnson of the Gentle Warrior project, Emma Stevens and 2nd Generation, to name a few. There was also a tribute to Mi’kmaw Music icon the late Joey Gould, who inspired many of the current Mi’kmaw artists today. 2 MK Hosts Annual General Assembly Chief Leroy Denny, Chair of the Board of Directors for Mi’kmaw Kina’matnewey welcomed everyone to the MK Annual General Assembly on October 26, 2018. “Our youth have experienced some amazing opportunities this year. They took part in national sporting competitions, drama, art, and academics to name a few. Through our combined knowledge, talents and leadership, our students are being given opportunities like never before.” Chief Leroy spoke about the loss of some of our education mentors and trailblazers over the past year. He also reminded everyone in attendance that we all need to work extra hard to ensure the promotion and protection of the Mi’kmaw language. During the assembly, the Education Directors from across the province had an opportunity to share the wonderful things that are happening in each of their communities with the group. The attendees also heard about the results of the MK/McGill Longitudinal Study done in Eskasoni and how students in the immersion program had success in not only their Mi’kmaw fluency, but also their English fluency. Jaime Battiste, Treaty Education Nova Scotia Lead, presented the Treaty Education videos and shared the many resources that have been created over the past year. Janean Marshall, Student Services Coordinator, showed a video of the Gentle Warrior Project which followed a group of young men working through the bustle making process from start to completed project. During this year’s AGA, there was also a very special launch of the Mi’kmaw Language Alphabet Kit, the work of the late Lillian Marshall. During the launch, Blaire Gould, Chief Wilbert Marshall, and Education Directors Amanda Johnson and Noelle Doucette shared memories of working with her on her project and the impact she has had on education, not only in Potlotek but across Mi’kmaki. To view the 2017-18 Annual Report, go to www.kinu.ca. 3 2018 Mi’kmaq Education Scholarship Winners Karen Bernard, Allystarr Gould and Kyla Bernard are the three recipients of this year’s Sister Dorothy Moore Mi’kmaq Education Scholarship. The awards, valued at $1,500 each, were presented during the Treaty Day Celebration on Oct. 1st in Halifax, NS. As a gesture of reconciliation during the 2011 Truth and Reconciliation event held in Halifax, the Government of Nova Scotia announced the creation of the annual scholarship fund to assist Mi’kmaq persons studying full-time in a recognized teacher certification/education program. Mi’kmaw Kina’matnewey named the scholarship program after Sister Dorothy Moore, an educator and respected elder who has devoted her life to enhancing educational opportunities for Mi’kmaq people. Applicants must submit an essay describing how their education and career goals are linked to Mi’kmaw culture, language, and improving Mi’kmaq student outcomes in on-reserve schools as well as the public school system. The application also has to include a summary of non- academic attributes such as leadership, service to the community, volunteer experience, and extra-curricular activities. Scholarship application details and forms are available at www.kinu.ca. Congratulations! 4 Celebrating Mi’kmaq culture During the month of October, there were many events celebrating Mi’kmaq History Month. There were youth moose camps, the moose feast in the highlands, powwows and cultural days put on through the schools to name a few. The students involved in these events took such pride in learning about and sharing their culture. 5 6 School News ABMHS holds Annual Powwow On Wednesday Oct 24, ABMHS held their annual Pow wow. The day began with workshops in the morning and Mawiomi in the afternoon. This event was attended by students from Baddeck Academy and Richmond Academy, along with some presenters and special guests. Elizabeth Sylliboy and Sylvia Denny started the event with the 4 directions ceremony and the ABMHS Drum group, joined by chief Leroy Denny, did an amazing job!The emcee for the day was Levi Herney, who did an excellent job. The role model of the year, Al Oakley, was also present. Katani Julian organized a fashion show which featured all the different styles of Regalia worn by Eskasoni Students. The staff organized a potluck with many traditional foods (eels, moose stew, moose meatballs, luskinikin, 4 cents cake, etc) and students enjoyed a Barbecue for lunch. A photo booth was also set up for anyone that wanted to have their picture taken by Sasha Doucette. Presenters for the day included: Terry Denny-land based learning Virick Francis - baskets Susie Marshall- basket making Mariah Battiste - beading Bobby Denny Jr -jikmaqn making Mary Lou Gould and Brenna Sylliboy- beading Ernest Johnson - traditional teas and 4 cents cake Geordy Marshall - Medicine Bundle Mildred Johnson- drum making Rita Gould - Medicine Pouch Sugar Poulette - waltes Flora Herney and Terry MacSween- 4 cents making Flo Young - baskets Kate Jadis and Jay Jay Denny- Mikmaq Dancing Mary Julia Francis - wooden flowers Annie Doucette - Treaty Education Vendors were on site as well. It was an amazing event which was enjoyed by everyone in attendance! 7 School News Pictou Landing Students in Pictou Landing are very excited about the beginning of construction on their new school. This month they had the opportunity to review the plans and were able to see all of the great features of their new school. We’koqma’q This month, We’koqma’q School did their Annual Terry Fox fundraiser. Students were asked to bring in $1 to purchase a sneaker. Their goal was to raise $500, but the school put on a challenge, that if they raised $750, they would tape their principal, Mr. John L. Bernard to the gym wall. They did it!!! In total, staff and students raised $850! 8 School News The Martin Family Initiative’s Model Schools Literacy Project Comes to Sipekne’katik The Martin Family Initiative’s Model Schools Literacy Project will be in place at L’nu Sipuk Kina’muokuom (LSK) in Sipekne’katik this year. Each year, the Martin Initiative works with 6 schools across the country and LSK is very excited to be chosen to take part this year! Last year, Velvet Paul, Education Director in Sipekne’katik, submitted a proposal to the project. The proposal/application was short listed and the Martin Initiative visited the school and interviewed the Education Director and administration to see if they would benefit from their work.

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