Emmet Peck of Wagmatcook was having a great time running around the dance arena at the We’koqma’q mawiomi on Saturday, October 3rd. His grandmother made his regalia which features some favourite Marvel characters.
-by Beverley Phillips
Sunshine and fall colours set the stage for the We’koqma’q mawiomi over the weekend.
A mawiomi is the Mi’kmaw word for pow wow, and from October 2nd to 4th, the First Nation celebrated their culture and heritage with the steady rhythm of the drum, dancing, fine regalia, and food.
On Saturday afternoon, after four dancers blessed the grounds with a grass dance, Donald Morrison led the flag bearers and dancers in the Grand Entry. He carried the flag for missing and murdered indigenous women and girls.
Miranda Gould sang a song asking the creator to help her not to forget where she came from, as she welcomed everyone to the gathering. The afternoon was then filled with dancers of all ages, from two to 93, moving around the dance arena, demonstrating the various cultural dances.
One of the dances was a Red Dress Special, hosted by 13-year-old Liluyé Nevin, the head junior female dancer. All of the girls who had red on their dress were invited to take part in the dance, honouring their missing and murdered sisters.
Speaking to Sheneeka Millier, Nevin’s mother, afterwards, she said she had three daughters, all dancers, and she was regularly talking to them about the problem, warning them always to be aware of their surroundings. The issue was one her daughter wanted to represent.
Seven drum groups took part in the festivities, providing the songs and rhythm for the dancers. They were Smoky Point, White Bear, Thunder Feather, Amu Singers, Lone Feather, Indian Bay, and Stoney Bear. Arena director Michael R. Denny of Eskasoni kept all the dancers and drum groups organized, and Trevor Gould of Paqtnkek emceed the afternoon, introducing events and bantering with the drum groups.
Emma Phillips and Tikisha Mitchell organized the event. It was Mitchell’s second year to do so. She wanted people to know that mawiomis are not just for First Nations people. “It’s open to everyone,” she said. “I want everyone to come and dance and enjoy the day. I see on Facebook people asking if they can come. Yes, the more the merrier.”
Saturday capped off with an impressive drone show, filling the sky with lights and the air with the story of their history. It began, “Tonight, surrounded by Creation, the land we stand on, the air we breathe, the sky we see above us, and the big water that flows through these lands, we recognize 150 years of the Indian Act. We gather as First Peoples with our settler friends and partners to remember, reflect, and to celebrate our resilience.”
It spoke about life before contact with Europeans, and afterwards noted the impact of colonialism and residential schools, but it ended on a hopeful note. “We cannot return to the past, but we can walk into the future together with the ancestors by our side. Seven generations ago, our ancestors made agreements they believed would protect future generations. We are now the ancestors and are considering our future seven generations.
Together, with mutual respect, we can build a better relationship that will blossom into a bright future for the next seven generations.
In this future, our children thrive. First Peoples and settlers live side by side, rooted in respect, learning from one another, sharing and taking care of each other and the land, protecting the land, honouring the treaties, and walking together. Join us in this time of ReconciliACTION. We continue what our ancestors started.
Under the stars above, on this traditional territory, 150 years later, we are all still here.”