2011 Vol 5 Issue 3 Oct The Drum Beat ENG

MADAWASKA MALISEET FIRST NATION
MMFN’s 2011
ELECTION
Back for an
encore
performance!
The voice of the people of the
MMFN was loud and clear on August
18th, 2011. With a satisfying majority
of the votes, Chief Joanna Bernard and
councillors Patricia Bernard and Diane
Pelletier were re-elected for another
two-year term in office.
After a month of heavy
campaigning, the polls closed and
Sarah Rose, the electoral officer,
announced the results.
“We are determined to finish what
we started,” said Chief Joanna
Bernard, (referring largely to the Grey
Rock Power centre economic
development project) “and we're so
very pleased the people are behind us.”
Well-wishers congratulated the
three women at the after-party held at
John Bernard's home. A thrilling and
loud display of fireworks left the
neighbours little doubt as to whom the
winners were.
Two candidates, Joanna Bernard
and Jean-Guy Cimon, vied for the
position of chief in this year's election.
Six candidates ran for council:
Kapskuksisok
at the Foire
Brayonne
...page 2
Councillor Patricia Bernard, Chief Joanna Bernard and Councillor Diane Pelletier
Above: Chief Joanna
casts her vote. Right: Some of
the election facilitators.
Daniel Bernard, Patricia Bernard, Francine
Cimon, Brad Fortin, Diane Pelletier, and
David Pelletier.
Joanna received 125 votes and JeanGuy received 78 votes.
This will be Joanna's Bernard's fifth
consecutive term in office. She was first
elected in 2003 and was previously on the
council during the 2001 to 2002 term.
Jean-Guy Cimon held the position of
chief from 1993 to 1995 and during the 1999
to 2000 term. He also held a position on the
council from 1981 to 1987.
Diane Pelletier was a councillor during
the 1999 to 2001 term and has been on the
council since 2009. Patricia Bernard has
been on the council every year since 2007.
Sacred
space for
MMFN
...page 3
Of the 253 eligible voters, 207 exercised
their right to vote; four ballots were rejected.
138 registered voters live off reserve,
some of whom voted in person.
This year, the MMFN gained 92 new
band members, thanks to the McIvor
decision handed down by the federal courts.
Of the new members, 51 were eligible (of
age) to vote. As of the Election Day, ten of
the new members had been registered as
Indians under Bill C-3.
A hearty congratulations and thank you
go out to all the voters and candidates. The
MMFN community appreciates your
dedication and hard work.
Horror
Movie
Madness!!
...page 6
Aboriginal
MMFN’S
cupcakes to MEGA yard sale
celebrate
Election Day
Councillor Patricia
Bernard and her daughterin-law, Kelly Aldrich
whipped up these delicious
and seriously cool works of
art in celebration of
MMFN’s election day.
MMFN’s “Autumn Colours”
Photo Contest
The wind and frigid weather cooled
enthusiasm for the MMFN's Mega Yard Sale held
on Saturday, September 10th. Attendance was
low, despite the attraction of 15 vendor tables.
Band members and people off reserve
participated also. The yard sale generated $150
from the rental of the tables, the MMFN matched
the amount, and a total of $300 was donated to
The Thrift Store Edmundston Food Bank.
New gym hours
The new gym hours are Monday to Friday
7:00 am to 9:00 pm, Saturday 8:00 am to 5:00
pm, and Sunday from noon to 8:00 pm.
The MMFN band office held a
photo contest earlier this fall for Band
Members and Registered Residents of
the MMFN.
The theme of the contest was
autumn in the community. Each photo
was taken on the St. Basile Indian
Reserve.
The first prize of $100 went to
Stéphanie Bourgeault, a second prize of
$50 went to Suzanne Gagnon, third
prize of $25 went to Henry Bernard, and
the Chief's pick earned
Suzanne
Gagnon another $25.
Winners were selected by a panel
of five band members. It was a tough
decision for the judges who had to
choose from a variety of great photos, taking into consideration the originality,
composition, technical execution and artistic merit of each piece.
Congratulations to all the winners and thanks to everyone who submitted
an entry. Your efforts make our community a fun place to live.
NEW LOGO CONTEST FOR THE
MMFN Economic Development Corporation
The MMFN is looking for a unique new logo for its Economic
Development Corporation!
The new brand must be easy to distinguish and look as great on a
billboard as is does on a business card.
All band members and registered residents are eligible to submit an
entry. You may enter as many times as you like. The deadline for contest
entries is:
November 30, 2011
Submit entries to Donna Bourgeault at [email protected].
Make sure your entry includes your name, address and a phone number
where you can be reached in case you are a winner.
The winner will receive $500.00!!
To be announced in the next newsletter
THE DRUM BEAT
2
OCTOBER 2011
MMFN’S Kapskuksisok captivates audiences
The Kapskuksisok dance group, organized by Lyne and
Michel Pelletier, performed for a captive audience at the
opening of the 2011 Foire Brayonne on July 27th.
The group also entered a float in the parade on July 31st and
won first prize in the category for a non-commercial float. The
prize was a plaque from the Foire Brayonne with the name of the
Madawaska Maliseet First Nation on it. There were three
different prizes: commercial, non commercial and cultural.
On July 3rd, the group also performed for an audience of
about 5000 people at the Acadian Games in Edmundston.
Kapskuksisok dance group at the 2011 Foire Brayonne
Above and to the right: at the parade on July 31st.
Far right: At the opening of the festivities on July 27th.
Echoing the voices of the ancestors
A couple’s struggle to revive the MMFN culture
Lyne Pelletier, MMFN's Cultural
Coordinator, and her husband Michel
Pelletier, a National Native Alcohol and
Drug Abuse Program (NNADAP) worker,
have worked hard to help heal and bring the
Maliseet culture back to the people.
Lyne organizes a variety of programs to
teach traditional values and skills. She has
been a teacher of the aboriginal culture for
over 17 years. Michel has been sober for 26
years and has been helping other people to
achieve sobriety ever since.
As a couple, Lyne and Michel offer
counseling, cultural education, and
traditional healing.
Their biggest achievement this past
year was the founding of Kapskuksisok,
MMFN's popular shawl dancing and
drumming group which has performed at a
variety of venues. Kapskuksisok means
‘Little Falls’ in the Maliseet language.
Michel was born and raised in the
community. Lyne’s grandparents were from
the Ganawake Mohawk reserve. The couple
has been together for 19 years, and consider
themselves partners in every sense of the
word.
“She is my balance,” said Michel,
“When we talk about the sacred pipe, a lot of
people don't understand that there is a male
side (the stem) and a female side (the bowl)
to the pipe. Lyne and I, we fit together and
we work together doing Creator's work.”
“We try to open the members' hearts to
it,” said Lyne, speaking of the culture, “and
teach them to not be ashamed of who we are.
But it's tough. Our biggest challenge is to
spread the word in our own community.”
“It's a funny thing, approaching
members in your own community,” said
Michel, “It's
like you're
going fishing
and you throw
out a hook to
Michel & Lyne Pelletier
see what you
will catch. But sometimes it doesn't bite for
a long time.”
Due to recent funding cutbacks, some
of their programs will no longer be
available. Lyne and Michel encourage band
members to reach out and support their
cultural heritage to help keep it alive.
“This is who we are. We need to share
this knowledge now so that we will have
people to teach the ways of our ancestors
before it dies,” said Lyne.
For more information about MMFN’s
NNADAP and cultural programs, call (506)
735-1744.
New MMFN beach and ceremonial grounds
Gravel road access from Main Street to the river
THE DRUM BEAT
The MMFN has a new beach, canoe
launch and ceremonial grounds. A gravel
road was formed from Main Street down to
the river in order to access the designated
area earlier this summer.
MMFN’s cultural coordinator, Lyne
Pelletier and her husband, NNADAP
worker Michel Pelletier, are very excited
about the new development.
“The area is larger, surrounded by
nature, and is protected from the traffic.
We'll be able to move the community
teepees down here (referring to the three
teepees currently erected at the recreation
3
c e n t e r ) a n d o ff e r m o r e c u l t u r a l
experiences,” said Michel.
The couple spoke with excitement
about plans for a variety of cultural events
including canoe lessons for the children,
teachings circles, sleepovers in the teepee,
and having a suitable location for sweat
lodges and other important community
ceremonies.
Michel and Lyne recently completed a
ceremonial four day fast on the land to
honour the spirits of the land and to prepare
the area for future ceremonies for the
community.
OCTOBER 2011
Kid's summer day camp
The kids were overjoyed when
Margaret “Nana” Bernard stopped by
for an unexpected visit at the
children's day camp at the MMFN
recreation center this summer.
“Most of these little ones are my
grandkids!” she remarked with pride
and joy.
The children had a great time this
summer, thanks to coordinator
Isabelle Cyr and helpers who
organized and ran the day camp.
MMFN’s 2011 Corn Boil
& Washer Tournament
MMFN’s annual Corn Boil & Washer
Tournament on September 17th was another
hit. This year’s event was held outdoors at
the extension of Wallace Road.
The food was delicious and the turnout
was great; over 80 people attended. Eric
Bourgeault generously brought his music
system to entertain the crowd, and the kids
enjoyed the toys provided for them.
The team of Diane Richard and Danny
Martin won the $300 first prize at the
Washer Tournament. A second prize of $200
THE DRUM BEAT
went to Noël Francis and Perry
Francis, and the $100 third
prize went to André Cimon
and Karen Martin.
Special thanks to sponsor
Restigouche Construction &
Boissonault McGraw for their
Nana with the kids at the summer day camp in August
donation of $300 for the corn
boil, David Gagnon for cooking the corn, organizing the washer tournament and to
Eric Bourgeault and Guilmond Thibault for everyone else who helped out that day.
It was a fun event and a good time was
cooking the hamburgers and hotdogs, to
had
by
all.
Patricia Bernard for
4
OCTOBER 2011
MMFN BUSINESS PROFILES
Maliseet Body Shop
Danny Richard opened the doors of the
Maliseet Body Shop on the MMFN in
March of 2009, with over two solid decades
of experience under his belt and a little help
from his father Albert.
“I appreciate the opportunity I received
from my father to open up a garage on the
reserve,” he said, “and I am really happy to
see it becoming successful.”
What started off as a two-door garage
with one employee, quickly expanded into a
four-car garage with three employees, in
just a little over two years.
Danny spent countless hours
renovating the building and expanding it to
provide more space so he could specialize in
new things such as wheel alignments and
windshield repair.
Danny insists that everything he
learned comes from his father Albert,
another member of the MMFN community.
Growing up around body shops and
watching his father work, Danny developed
a huge passion for cars. Albert provided
guidance, encouragement and also financial
assistance for Danny to take a professional
auto painting course in Montreal in 1990.
The course greatly enhanced Danny's skill
set and prestige in the auto industry.
Danny and his team of mechanics have
built a concrete reputation for the shop, due
to their integrity, affordable prices, care, and
Danny Richard, owner of the Maliseet Body Shop
attention to detail. The shop now handles all
types of repairs including car accidents, also provide free estimates.
insurance claims, frame strengthening,
To book your vehicle in at the Maliseet
paint jobs, and general maintenance. They Body Shop, call (506) 739-7002.
Auto Star Car
Wash
In the large garage and workshop beside
Michel Ouellette, owner of
Auto Star Car Wash
After 22 years of shampooing and
buffing cars, Michel Ouellette, owner of Auto
Star Car Wash, has built a very solid
reputation for himself. An entrepreneur with a
fine eye for detail, Michel knows that every
car or truck that leaves his shop is fit for a
show room.
“Most of my contracts these days are with
dealerships,” he states with a shy but proud
smile.
his home on 1663 Main Street, Michel shows
off his high-tech paint cleaning system. His
interior cleaning process with dry foam
shampoo also leaves cars smelling and
looking like brand new.
To get your vehicle looking like brand
new again, call Michel at (506) 739-8589.
Bernard RVStewart
Sales
proudly shows off a line of well
Stewart Bernard turned 72 years-young
on Oct 12th and has an extra bounce in his
step these days. Last year, Stewart decided
to come out of retirement. “I needed
something to do and wanted to keep busy,”
he said, “The RV business just made sense.”
Stewart has always loved camping.
With the hoards of kids and grandkids he’s
taken out camping and boating almost every
weekend, Stewart has seen his fair share of
trailers and knows what works and what
doesn’t work in RV design.
designed, Canadian made ultra light trailers
that are easily towed behind mid-sized or
even compact vehicles.
“These trailers are very affordable and
also offer much better fuel economy than
pulling larger units,” he added.
When asked what his long-term plans
were for the business Stewart replied, “If it
works out well, I will leave it to my heirs.”
To find your perfect RV fit, give Stewart
a call at (506) 735-8240.
Stewart Bernard, owner of Bernard RV Sales
YOUTH Council
HOUSE FOR SALE
HOUSE FOR SALE
On the MMFN, built in 1991, 1176
square feet, owned by Jos Wallace.
For more info call 506-737-3399.
On the MMFN, built in 1994, 864
square feet, owned by Edwina Fortin.
For more info call 506-736-6656.
THE DRUM BEAT
5
The MMFN is looking for youth
who may be interested in
forming a Youth Council.
Under 30 years old
and teens welcome.
For more information,
please contact Patricia Bernard
at (506)739-9765
OCTOBER 2011
Ghouls and ghosts have a new haunt this year
The location of the MMFN’s infamous Haunted House is
changing this year but horror buffs can take heart; this year’s hairraising event is ramping up to be more ghoulish than ever!
The Haunted House was traditionally held in the old warehouse
The foundation is all that remains of the old warehouse behind
the Madawaska Entertainment Centre. The band council has
not yet decided what to do with the space.
behind the Madawaska Entertainment Center but, with the removal
of the warehouse this summer, the spooks had to find another place
to haunt. This year’s event will be held at the St-Basile shopping
center where the company Teletec used to be. The theme will be
Horror Movies! See advertisement below for more details.
M
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Saturday and Sunday
HORROR
MOVIE
THEME
October 29 AND 30 Time: 6-9 p.m.
Location: St-Basile shopping center
Your Opinion Counts!
Do you have a knack for writing and a nose for news?
Do you have a great story and want to share it? We're
looking for local news and stories about folks in our
community, opinions, words of wisdom from the elders,
questions, suggestions and more. All age groups are
encouraged.
Please contact Donna Wallace-Bourgeault at the Band
office (506) 739-9765 for more information.
Madawaska Maliseet First Nation
1771 Main Street, M.M.F.N., N.B., E7C 1W9
Tel: (506) 739-9765
Fax: (506) 735-0024
For more information, members are encouraged to visit:
www.madawaskamaliseetfirstnation.com
Joanna Bernard
Patricia Bernard
Diane Pelletier
Receptionist:
Linda Beaulieu
Financial Assistant:
Laurie Wallace
Health Director:
Catherine Bernard
Micheline Plante
Nurse:
Janelle Grondin
Education Director: Linda Wallace
Housing Coordinator: David Gagnon
NNADAP Councillor: Michel Pelletier
Social Development Officer: Louise Ouellette
Indian Registry Administrator: Patricia Wallace
Band Administrator: Donna Wallace-Bourgeault
Chief:
Councillors:
Where are my Chief and Council?
Chief Joanna Bernard:
July 5:
Meeting with District 14 Woodstock
Meeting with NB Power in Fredericton
July 11-13: AGM of AFN in Moncton
July 13:
MNCC in Moncton
July 14:
AGA in Moncton
July 22:
Pipeline's Scholarship in Fredericton
Aug 16:
Executive Board Meeting with INAC in NS?
Sept 6:
Maritime & Eastern Pipeline Meeting in Fredericton
Sept 7:
UNBI in Moncton
Sept 8:
APC in Cole Harbour
Sept 9:
Signing of the Umbrella with the Premier in Eel River
Sept 13:
FNEII
Sept 20:
Rising Sun in Eel Groud
Sept 21:
Maritime Pipeline Meeting in St-John
Sept 26:
PRC in Cole Harbour
Sept 27:
Ulnooweg, RPMAC, AFN, BOD's meetings in NS
Sept 28:
APC in NS and UNBI in Moncton
Councillor Patricia Bernard:
July 5:
NB Power Meeting in Fredericton
July 11-13: AGM of AFN in Moncton
Sept 21: Met with DFO in Moncton
Councillor Diane Pelletier:
July 5:
NB Power Meeting in Fredericton
July 11-13: AGM of AFN in Moncton
July 18:
Meeting with District 14 in Woodstock
Sept 13-16: Health Directors meeting in Nova Scotia
Sept 22-25: TAC (Tobacco Action Circle) meeting in Alberta with the
Assembly of First Nations. (Diane is the Atlantic representative)
Wedding Anniversaries
SEPTEMBER
Jeffrey McLaughlin & Gisèle Dupuis
Perry Francis & Patricia Bernard
Patrick Wallace & Irène Comeau
03/09/1994
03/09/2005
07/09/1963
OCTOBER
Fernand Neveu & Aurore Cimon
Michel Pelletier & Lyne Desroches
Gilles Cyr & Line Pelletier
07/10/1979
10/10/1998
13/10/1973
THE DRUM BEAT
(where Teletec COMPANY used to be)
Kenneth McPhee & Elizabeth Stuart
Albert Richard & Judy Martin
Léonard Philibert & Bibianne Gagnon
Craig Ridley & Sandra Cameron
Marco Godbout & Vicki Wallace
18/10/1981
21/10/1967
24/10/2008
25/10/1997
29/10/2005
NOVEMBER
Georges Pelletier & Simonne Cimon
06/11/1954
6
John Wallace & Jeanne Cyr
Elmer Albert & Joanna Bernard
18/11/1967
22/11/2006
DECEMBER
Daniel Bernard & Chantale Corbin 04/12/1999
Todd Rahoun & Christine Leblanc 24/12/1996
Stewart Bernard & Margaret DiMaggio
28/12/1958
OCTOBER 2011