The Tobin entourage breezed in and out of Miawpukek (Conne River) on Monday. Part of their Baie d' Espoire tour, this brief stopover in Miawpukek included a visit to Seta'newe' Kegnamokwom (the local school), Mi'kamawey Mawi'omi offices and a short tour of the community.
At the school, Premier Tobin, was welcomed into the community by the Mi'kmaw Choir, singing the EAGLE SONG. His limited time did not prevent him from staying longer to hear more, and the choir obliged by singing the HONOUR SONG in his honour. He told the students that their desire to learn about their past would help them as the put it to use to improve their future.
In the Miawpukek government office later, Premier Tobin was presented with "A Talking Stick" by Saqamaw Misel Joe. Saqamaw Joe commented that "It is not as though Premier Tobin needs it" but in the event that Mr. Tobin gets re elected as Premier, "the stick will serve to remind him of the place where it comes from".
Mr. Tobin, in his remarks, applauded the community for what it has done for itself so far, and said "...it shows others what people can do if they fight for themselves". He pledged his support for continued talks with Miawpukek Mi'kamawey Mawi'omi on all issues of concern to them.
Miawpukek Mi'kamawey Mawi'omi had hoped to bring to Mr. Tobin's attention the poor roads in the area, problems with his government's attempts to remove Mi'kmaw cabins from the Baie du Nord wilderness area and Child welfare concerns. This was not to be, however, as the Tobin tour had to move on to the next community.
An internationally known local company provided the setting for yet another Tobin publicity show, on Monday.
Data Services International, an information Technology company that has been operating successfully in Milltown, Nfld., for the last six years, gave public and press one more chance to see and press flesh with the Brian Tobin team. Mr. Tobin was in attendance to officially open DIS's Business Information Technology Center (BITC).
In a press release coinciding with the event DSI let it be known that the BITC will provide information, information technology and business support services to the Connaigre region of the province. Operating along normal business hours and by appointment in evenings, BITC will according to Wayne Wheeler, Manager, "...provide tremendous business development opportunities for the entire region for years to come", by "providing rural Newfoundland the same access to information and business support services on a cost competitive basis as those in larger centers".
The same service, incidentally, and using the same equipment, that had been provided by the ACOA sponsored Enterprise Network as a free service to the community.
As an addendum to the same press release, DSI's Geographic Information System (GSI) division also announced it's recent signing of a three million dollar agreement with Indonesia's Department of Technology. Work on that project is expected to commence in September, 1996.
Five Months and Counting. That's how much longer we have to wait to experience the first ever powwow to be held at the eastern door of Turtle Island (As aboriginals refer to the Newfoundland part of North America).
But in the meantime, there is so much to do, and no one knows that better than coordinator of the event, Tammy Drew. Backed up by Saqamaw Misel Joe and Laverna Hinks, her Powwow committee, she has taken on a lot, considering the magnitude of the event and her full time duties as Director of Finance.
As lead-in to the event the committee recently hosted a mini powwow in Miawpukek. The community invited people familiar with powwows from First Nations in Big Cove in New Brumswick and Eskasoni in Nova Scotia, who were able to instruct organizers and public alike in the finer art of powwowing.
The guests came and demonstrated powwow dancing and songs, and most important of all, powwow etiquette and protocol. This was very important because powwows include sacred ceremonies that have a strict protocol and often where filming and recording is strictly prohibited.
While in the community, the group met with the powwow committee, held several days of seminars with the school population and two more nights with the public at large. Seminars included drumming and dancing sessions with complete participation by community members attending.
Powwows are held all over Turtle Island during the year and this will be the first time one has been held so far east. Powwows "...involves aboriginal cultures participating in traditional and intertribal dances." says an information letter put out by the committee. This one will also give local and regional crafts people a chance to display and sell their products and give non natives in Taqmkuk (Island of Newfoundland) a unique chance to learn more about the Island's first nations people and aboriginals in general.
It is important to the Mi'kmaq of Taqmkuk, because the Pi'tow'ke( Beothuk), their sister tribe has been wiped out and assimilation has destroyed much of their own traditions and culture. This powwow will give the Mi'kmaq a "much needed opportunity to become comfortable with their identity as indigenous people".
The powwow, set for July 5 to 7, 1996 is one half of the first KTAQMKUK MI'KMAQ GATHERING which goes from July 3 to 7, and which will include a traditional healing conference.
The Mi'kmaw in Miawpukek (Conne River) welcomed government officials, bank managers, local entrepreneurs, even political wannabees Monday evening, for a celebration of an event.
The event was the signing of a purchase agreement between the Miawpukek Band and well known Newfoundland businessman Weston Simms. The band represented by traditional Saqamaw Misel Joe will be purchasing a 60% interest in the company Petglade Westons International Inc.
On the surface this may not seem like much, but Petglade is the largest shareholder in S.C.B. Fisheries. And S.C.B. Fisheries, Newfoundland's largest aquaculture operation, has turned a non existent fishing industry in Baie d' Espoire into a multi-million dollar aquaculture job mine.
The evening began with an introduction and sweetgrass ceremony by traditional Saqamaw of Taqamkuk (Newfoundland) Misel Joe followed by the drumming, singing and dancing of the Mi'kmaw choir and drum troupe.
After this came the signing of the agreement and speeches by Saqamaw Misel and Mr. Simms plus some of the invited dignitaries.
Saqamaw Misel noted in his speech that this signing ceremony was a turning point for his people. He told the audience that his community were the first people in Baie d' Espoire to venture into the aquaculture field. But over the years, control of the industry was slowly taken over by others. Now today, he felt his people "were back where they belonged". He said his people remained separate from the rest of Baie d' Espoire for all these years by choice. But now they wanted to be a part of the community and the economic life of the bay. He informed those present that taking into account all the actual moneys spent and the related spin off from such expenditures, Miawpukek had over the past 20 years spent close to $150,000,000.00. He said, "We Mi'kmaw have stepped into the 1990's with this venture. The future looks brighter for us and we pray that the great spirit will watch over us."
Weston Simms' message to the assembled was that the aquaculture was the future for Baie d' Espoire. A lot of people had put a lot of time and money into making the industry what it is today. He told the people that Baie d' Espoire and this part of the south coast was full of opportunities for anyone who wanted to go after them. He suggested to the banking people present that all the residents of the bay needed was for them to take a chance with them. He said of the agreement: "It has created more opportunities for both Conne River and other communities and individuals inside and outside Baie d' Espoire who want to invest." To the community he offers, "Dare to dream."
A new board of directors for S.C.B. fisheries will now be set up. It will consist of Weston Simms, Company President, Shayne McDonald of the Miawpukek Band as Chairman, and board members Boyd Pack, local entrepreneur and George Parsons, who will also represent the Miawpukek Band.