In collaboration with local First Nation communities, ASD-N hosted 3 Multi school Mawi’omis (Mi’kmaq word for gathering) in three locations this past week. Tuesday, May 29 at Bathurst High School with all schools in the Bathurst area attending. Thursday, May 31 was an outdoor event at the beautiful Aboriginal Heritage Garden in Eel River Bar First Nation for all the schools in the Dalhousie region. Friday, June1, the third event, was hosted by Sugarloaf Senior high and included over 1000 students from the Campbellton and Listuguj area. More commonly referred to as a Pow Wow, students at both schools had an opportunity to experience customary music and dance as well as see a display of various stages of basket making by renowned basket maker Becky Labillois. The last two events also included a performance by Indigenous rapper Tristan Grant, aka Wolf Castle from Pabineau First Nation. The Mawiomis offered an opportunity to showcase aspects of Mi’kmaq culture that was suppressed, marginalized, and even prohibited for a period of time in Canada. When the Indian Act was written in 1876 traditional celebrations and healing ceremonies were against the law. It wasn’t until the 1950s that Indigenous Peoples in Canada could practice their traditional ceremonies and celebrations such as the Pow Wow. Over the three days close to 3000 students, both indigenous and non, were able to participate in amazing events that demonstrated Mi’kmaq culture in a positive light. ReconciliACTION was the theme of these events. ASD-N continues to work hard at improving its relationship with Mi’kmaq communities and taking the 94 Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission seriously as well as objective 6 in our NB 10 year education plan, as we move forward together. ASD-N would like to thank all those who supported and attended the events. They were a great success!

Specifically we would like to thank the following sponsors of these events, we certainly could not have done this without your generous support.

Anglican Church of Canada

Anglophone North School District

Metallic’s Grocery

Eel River Bar First Nation

Dentist Brisson

Arco Lumber

Port of Belledune

Dairy Queen

Joint Economic Development Initiative (JEDI)

Lemeque Fishery Cooperative

Listuguj First Nation

Jean Coutu (Dalhousie)

Chaleur Sawmill

Martin’s Grocery

Village of Belledune

Resitigouche Dealers Association

Province of New Brunswick

Pabineau First Nation

Atlantic Superstore (Bathurst & Atholville)

Rotary International (Bathurst & Dalhousie)

Recreaplex

Foodland (Dalhousie)

Dalhousie Industrial Credit Union