The Canoe Cove Community Association has taken steps to recognize First Nation people and its history.
The idea was to add a “welcome’’ sign in Mi’kmaq to the three road signs on the highways leading into Canoe Cove.
The association consulted with Mi’kmaq elder Doreen Jenkins, a resident of the community, and with Abegweit First Nation Chief Brian Francis.
After learning the correct Mi’kmaq translation, local artists JoDee Samuelson and Mari Basiletti painted the words “Pjila’si Suomane’ Katik” on cedar boards and attached them to the existing roadside welcome signs. The Mi’kmaq words translate into English as “Welcome to the place where beech nuts are plentiful”. Indeed, there are still many beech trees in this south shore area of P.E.I.
After the signs were installed the community decided to hold a special event to celebrate the recognition of Mi’kmaq history in Canoe Cove, and recently held its First Nation Recognition and Celebration in the historic Canoe Cove School.
The event began with participants gathered outside in a large circle for a sweet grass smudge by Marjorie Lewis Paul. Jenkins assisted with the ceremony and offered a prayer before we all went into the school to enjoy a potluck dinner. One of the highlights of the dinner was the bannock made by Marjorie Lewis Paul.
Before supper, Francis spoke and gave praise to all community members present for the endeavours to acknowledge and celebrate the fact that the Mi’kmaq were the first people on P.E.I. In his speech Francis said the Mi’kmaq signage and community First Nation recognition celebration are small but important steps in the process of reconciliation.
Green Party Leader Peter Bevan-Baker also gave a short speech before dinner. He spoke of the significance of the community spirit in Canoe Cove and shared how the sweet grass ceremony affected him.
“It was so good to slow down and feel the blessings of the sweet grass smudging,” said Bevan-Baker.
More than 50 people from Canoe Cove and surrounding communities attended this event. Lennox Island First Nation Chief Matilda Ramjattan also attended.
