LEARNING MI'KMAQ IS FUN

OUR LANGUAGE....OUR HEART

Mi'kmaq Burial Grounds Research Restoration Association
Mi'kmaq Language -Culture Camp at Bay St George Culture Center

It was an exciting time for L'nu who lived across the water on “K'taqmkuk “.

On the 28th, 29th, 30th , 31st of August and the 1st of September we gathered for a Mi'kmaq Language Workshop.

Curtis Michael,, who is a certified Mi'kmaw language teacher,   arrived at the Bay St George
Culture Center, along with his team to teach the foundation components of the Mi'kmaq language.

It was an educational experience. It was interesting. It gave heart to our People.

Once you learn the foundation components of the M'ikmaq language you will have the skill sets to
take the virtual Mi'kmaq language lessons offered over 33 weeks up to 31st March 2015.

Sometime in March of 2015 we will have a traditional feast and graduation to celebrate our
Mi'kmaq language learning.

LANGUAGE OF THE PEOPLE

Ln'u'k (The people),Mi'kmaq

Language is part of the essence of a race of a people. It is not only how the race communicates with each other,  but it is the means by which a People understands and defines Mother Earth and the way of life.

It is very psychologically damaging for a People to lose their language....they lose a part of who they are. It splinters and fractures the people.

The Mi'kmaq People NEEDS to speak their language again, so that we  can define and understand the world with our  words, our tongue, not with that belonging to someone else!

By becoming fluent in our  own language the People will once again become whole.

Thus the workshop, besides being educational and interesting, provided a journey toward healing. It moved the People away from being a victim....because anyone who has had their language ripped away from them has indeed been victimized.

But by embracing the Mi'kmaq language we are moving toward becoming a people of survivors....one that is a very distinct society.

We as Mi'kmaq people are  humble and nomadic humans that have survived for thousands of years and have a distinct openness that can not be found or defined in any way or form in another language.

We , as a people,  have to grasp the  future and remember  who and what and where we came from .

This is so important to our core values and the being one as a Nation that will come together and share our own belief system and must remain  ,  for we hold this in trust for the next seven generations that follow the dignity of the first people of this land,,,,

Pikto'l Sa'ke'j Muise…

TREATY OF PEACE

CULTURE VS ENVIRONMENT

CULTURE V/S ENVIRONMENT

Culture is a language, and it comes from our environment.

 The rocks are our grandfathers. They were here  first.

 Then came the plants, trees, etc…second.

Then the animals....they were third.

 We are only fourth  ..... As humans that exist on Mother Earth..

 Then we are all connected,  or interrelated,  in some manner or form.

 The moon, tides, stars are linked to human beings.

 When we cut a tree we  damage the whole universe, along with  people. 

When you pollute the air..... that is us.

 When you pollute the streams, lakes, sea, this is our closest relative,  our environment, for the survival of a culture.

Our culture is greater than the reflection of our environment because everything in existence  is created and forms the creation of a Culture , or one part of the cycle of the universe, which are humans.

Victor James Muise/Sake

TRADITIONS OF OUR ANCESTORS

Traditions of our Ancestor

Our traditional ways are important.

Going back to our traditional ways of using the land for our own resources is paramount to our strength and healing as a whole.

 First Nations across Canada are turning towards their own means of independence through self governance and changing paradigms of thought around such issues as health.

 Addressing First Nations health through a more traditional, holistic model has been recognized as essential in reducing the health disparity gaps between aboriginal and non-aboriginal people of Canada. 

The importance of Traditional Medicine as a means of improving the health and quality of life for people is increasingly being recognized.


An excerpt: from  First Nation Health Council

SUMMER 2014....A PHOTO JOURNEY