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Candidate Jenica Atwin’s family inspires her to seek greater understanding between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people
When Jenica Atwin was still in elementary school she built a traditional Wolastoqiyik longhouse with the guidance of her stepfather Ron Tremblay, now the Wolastoqiyik Grand Council chief. Although non-Indigenous, Atwin was always captivated by Wolastoqiyik culture. ...
Nova Scotia-based Mi’kmaw language training program shows early promise – and opportunity to expand
Mi'kmaw language advocacy group Mi'kmaw Kina'matnewey is paying people to learn their traditional language. The Nova Scotia-based organization, which represents 12 Mi'kmaq communities, wants 15 new apprentices to partner with a mentor for this year's cycle. People...
Homeless Fredericton musician looking for a place to play his songs
Mike Kennedy sits on a green crate and pillow, an empty Styrofoam cup in hand, begging for change. The 60-year-old's hands are gnarled from years living on the street. His white beard hangs just under his jawline and is clean shaven up to his face. Kennedy’s wearing a...
Invasive beetle destroying New Brunswick’s ash trees – and threatening Mi’kmaq basket making
An indiscriminate ash tree killer has been spotted in northern New Brunswick and poses a threat to the province's entire ash population. The emerald ash borer can destroy 99 per cent of an ash tree species which doesn't bode well for the black ash tree the primary...
Healing social work: Injecting Indigenous methodologies into profession key to reducing number of Indigenous children in care
A social work group says Indigenous knowledge is key to better professional practices because the current system isn't working for Indigenous people. The Mi'kmaw Wolastoqiyk Association of Social Workers is trying to inject Indigenous knowledge into social work...
Local inventor’s off the wall invention could ease chronic pain
Curtis Kennedy's childhood dream was lacing up his skates for an NHL team. Instead at 14 he was diagnosed with Blastic Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cell Neoplasm (BPDCN), a rare form of leukemia that can affect multiple organs, including the lymph nodes and skin. Now...
Indigenous Tourism Trail charts a path through New Brunswick
Strips of black ash tree are intertwined and carefully bent to make a Mi'kmaw basket and Annie Clair says each strip and basket tell the story of how Elsipogtog is held together with elder knowledge, community members and children. "The log itself has a heart,...
Social entrepreneurs and the small food economy are key to community growth – and reconciliation
Author and social entrepreneur Shaun Loney has an answer to the chronic question about New Brunswick's lagging economy: seek out employees with criminal records. Loney recently toured the province advising staff and board members of non-profits and social enterprises...
Indigenous youth raise their voices at the United Nations
Wolastoq Grand council chief Ron Tremblay is working toward accrediting his youth confederacy council and enable them to speak at the next UN Indigenous permanent forum. This year they presented at a side session, but that didn’t remove any of the conviction. “They...