Our young people have been putting their hearts and souls into reclaiming our traditional knowledge, heritage and culture. They have eagerly participated in learning about medicinal and edible plants, building wigwams (both conical and domed) out of natural materials. They have created beautiful pieces of traditional jewelry, and learned about our local artifacts and how to respectfully participate in sacred ceremonies. They've learned how to make their own Moccasins from scratch, and I'm proud to say they've done a marvelous job. They had a great time making their own traditional hand-drums, and now they are working on making carry-bags for their drums and regalia. They are a fabulous group of young people, who very obviously appreciate the knowledge and time that has been gifted to them by so many generous elders and visitors.

WOLIWON~WILINI ~WELALIOQ~MERCI~THANK YOU

to the elders and visitors who have helped to teach us all. You are all very prec.ious to us and we ask Creator "Kisúlkw,Kci Niwesq, Kjikinap,Kji-Niskam" to bless you and yours for sharing your talents, your time and your wisdom.

Mrs Dawn Paul Mr Don Paul Mr Bill "Spirit Bear" Gunderman

Mrs Dora Michaud Mr Norman Bernard Mr Josh Boucher

Vice Chief Mrs Gail Gagnon Chief Donat Cyr Mr Tony Gagnon

Mrs Diane Landry Bell Mrs Armande Landry Mr Alvin Theriault

Mrs Marlene Audibert Ouellette Mr Craig Ouellette

Mrs Norma Ouellette Spiers Mrs Wanda Boucher Ms Brenda Landry

Ms Laura Cyr Mrs Shelly RK Spiers

As we enter into this, our third year, of our three year ANA Heritage Grant, we gratefully acknowledge those we have learned priceless lessons from, and we look forward to learning so much more in the coming year! Taho!

I Am

I am the Great Spirit

who thrives on my own blessings

I hunger for justice of my own

damaged children.

I am the Great Eagle that watched

as my children

Were slaughtered and driven

From their lands...…

Which I blessed many times for them.

My spirit was there in the Drum

...as songs were sung for me,

and my form took shape

from the smoke of the tobacco

...when you offered the Pipe of Peace

...in my name.

I have not left you my children,

I have felt your pain

and the pain of your ancestors.

I wept when you were discraced

I bled when you went into battle

against your oppressors

and I mourned until I could no longer

stand the pain in my heart

...at the Trail of Tears

Your numbers dwindled from sickness

and you were driven

to the Reservations

And now my children

you are being bleached from society

Like sands on a lowly beach

And cannot see who you are

Go then and take all the gifts

I have given to you

Take the Holy Pipe of Peace,

the Longbow,

the blessed bows of the Cedar,

the customs, traditions and stories

I have whispered to you

in your dreams

and teach these things

to your children

and to those of you

who were bleached from society

and don’t know who they are

...don’t ever forget my children

that the Great Spirit is here with you

...whenever you hear me

whisper in the wind

...whenever you look up

and see the Great Eagle

soaring the thermals I set before him

and whenever you see the bright sun

shining

over the Great Rivers and Streams

that I provided for you

know that I am with you

...whenever you hear the Great Rain fall

after a dry day

look to the heavens

for I am with you

Antoine Gagnon