Kwe’
With summer solstice just around the corner, new buds on the trees and sunny skies, are you as excited as I am about all the opportunities to celebrate the season?
National Indigenous Peoples Day, for many communities, has become a weeklong celebration. In Corner Brook, the Mi’kmaq Flag will be raised on Monday, July 18th at several locations throughout the city. Join the circuit on the Majestic lawn at 9:30 AM (in front of the Qalipu office building at 3 Church Street). The event will begin with the planting of a tree and smudging of the flags which will later be raised at City Hall, the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary, Grenfell Campus and the College of the North Atlantic. Find all the details for this event on Page 13.
This National day of celebration is observed annually across Canada on June 21 to recognize and celebrate the unique culture and contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis. In Newfoundland, there are events across the province. On Page 1 of this edition of Maw-pemita’jik Qalipu’k, you will find details on those events, and links for further information. I look forward to the many things happening in my home community, St. George’s, where both the St. George’s Indian Band and the People of the Dawn Indigenous Friendship Centre have many wonderful things planned including sunrise ceremony, open doors at the Ktaqmkuk Mi’kmaq Museum, feasts, and a hike up Steel Mountain. What’s happening in your area? Don’t miss out on the fun.
Also, in this edition, find event schedules for the Exploits Mawio’mi and the Bay St. George Mi’kmaq Powwow, snapshots of community happenings, stories about our young achievers, and some information from the Newfoundland Aboriginal Women’s Network on a new program.
To comment on what you’ve seen here, make suggestions for future newsletters or to contribute your community news, please write to awhite@qalipu.ca
I look forward to hearing from you.
Wela’lin
Alison