Talk With MeDVD release

party...page 3

Christmason theMMFN

...page 6-7

The new Shell Station at the MMFN’s Grey Rock Power Centre is expected to open on June 1, 2012

An invitationto comesailing

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MADAWASKA MALISEET FIRST NATIONMADAWASKA MALISEET FIRST NATIONMADAWASKA MALISEET FIRST NATIONMADAWASKA MALISEET FIRST NATION

...Continued on page 2

By invitation from Governor General the Crown and the First Nations people, allowed in the same meeting room with the David Johnston and Prime Minister Stephen help unlock the potential of First Nation PM, while the rest were herded into another Harper, MMFN's Chief Joanna Bernard economies, and help improve education, room to watch the proceedings on a large and 400 Chiefs from across Canada health, and communities for First Nations screen TV. converged in Ottawa for what was expected peoples. “We would have been able to see more to be an historic gathering of the Crown and Unfortunately, not everyone was had we stayed home and watched it on TV,” First Nations on January 23 and 24th, 2012. impressed with the outcome of the said Chief Joanna Bernard, “The screen was

The chiefs were promised that the gathering. Many felt it was more very blurry and pixilated.”meeting would be an opportunity to government posturing and a waste of time Later in the afternoon, 30 of the 400

strengthen the relationship between and money. Only 150 of the 400 chiefs were

MMFN’s Economic Development

GabrielSacratini CEO

~ by Gabriel Sacratini CEO, is analyzed from the perspective of the long Band Members. M a d a w a s k a M a l i s e e t E c o n o m i c term benefit to the community. Discussions Ul t imate ly, Development Corporation with some are ongoing and the results of the goal is to create

The MMFN Economic Development same will be communicated accordingly. a site that will Corporation is pleased to advise that the We are working incessantly to attract enhance economic target date for the Shell Truck Stop opening national retailers, particularly those entities stability and instill is June 1, 2012 at the Grey Rocks that do not currently exist in the region. It is the pride of a job Development site. With what we believe to imperative that the Corporation's approach well done in the be an excellent location and unique ramp in this area is one of prudence and efficiency community. At the engineering, it is anticipated that this from the outset to ensure a proper mix of same time, the enterprise will be a resounding success for retailers on a fully leased site as Corporat ion is years to come. expeditiously as possible. We expect to be in committed to working closely with the city

The Corporation continues to receive a position to more fully expound on the of Edmundston and environs to solidify the enquiries from local and regional specific approach over the next several Band's contribution as an important businesses and every expression of interest months and it will be communicated to the economic driver in the region.

Crown and First Nations Gathering an Historic Dud

2THE DRUM BEAT

meeting with a large national group of First place named after the person who gave Nations leaders since the Conservatives aboriginal people the rights to vote,” she

chiefs were invited to a closed-door meeting came into office six years ago. said, “but I think that only stands as a with the PM. That meeting was arranged The summit schedule was kept secret, symbol of how badly aboriginal people have only after many chiefs complained to the even from the invited participants, and been treated and are still being treated.”AFN that they would get limited access to many of the chiefs were angry to learn that At the time of writing this article, the Mr. Harper at the summit. the Prime Minister only planned to attend PM's office had not yet been in contact with

“The whole affair was poorly half of the day-long event. They were not the New Brunswick Chiefs to reschedule a organized,” said Chief Joanna, “We just sat consoled by the fact that about a dozen meeting.there. It wasn't until halfway through the cabinet ministers planned to attend the event that the PM decided he might be able second half of the event.to squeeze in a meeting with the New Chie f Joanna a l so expressed Brunswick Chiefs for the following day, but displeasure about the Prime Minister's by then half the chiefs in the room had speech. “He made no promises to us nor did already left, myself included. If he intended he mention anything concrete for the future. to meet with us, it should have been He just gave us a history lesson, as if we did scheduled prior to the event. People had not already know what was done to us in the airplanes to catch and places to be.” past.”

Many chiefs were outraged at the The PM's remarks regarding the disorganized nature of the gathering, given location of the event also hit a sore spot with that it had been in the planning stages for Chief Joanna. “He talked about how perfect more than a year. It was Mr. Harper's first it was that this gathering was being held in a

march 2012

Crown ...Continued from page 2

Tobacco Strategy Initiative

Diane Pelletier, MMFN Councillor

Vancouver to the union of NB The Tobacco Strategy Initiative was funded by Indians. A further consequence of Health Canada from April 2004 until March this effort was that I was appointed 2007. The program was designed to help First by Mr. Peter Birney from the Union Nation's people to stop smoking, spread of New Brunswick Indians (UNBI) awareness and develop prevention to be the Atlantic representative on strategies.the board of the Assembly of First We wanted to prevent the children of Nations (AFN). the MMFN from starting the bad habit of

In the past, we helped a dozen smoking by becoming more active and people join the Simply for Life promoting a healthy lifestyle. We set up a program. We also bought gym program to engage them in doing physical equipment and organized various activities three times a week, and hired a activities. When the Wallace fitness trainer to facilitate the sessions and building was transformed into the Madawaska Entertainment motivate the children. Center and the Pirate de la Mer, we had to move the program to I was sure we had done everything we could to the little building by the skating ring. But it didn't work. We reach as many people as possible to quit smoking, but needed something bigger.we didn't seem to be getting the message through to the smokers.

One of my goals when I was elected as a councillor was to When the funding stopped in 2007, I knew I had to do have a Fitness Center built for the MMFN. Funds from the something. tobacco strategy initiative were used to build the gym last year I came up with the idea of raising the price of native and those funds continue to be used for its programming and cigarettes by $1 a pack so we could continue the exercise ongoing maintenance.program. I met with Sharon Wallace, manager of the St-John Gas

I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to all Bar, to obtain accurate numbers for native cigarette sales, then the band members who supported me and this initiative. Without wrote and submitted the proposal for the Tobacco Strategy you, none of this would have been possible.Initiative to the chief and council. They all thought it was a good

idea and the initiative now generates between $20,000 and Sincerely,$24,000 annually.

Diane PelletierThe upshot of this achievement was that I was asked to do

MMFN Councillorpresentations of the Tobacco Strategy across Canada, from

The MMFN is looking for youth who may be interested in forming a Youth Council.

YOUTH Council

For more information,please contact Patricia Bernard

at (506)739-9765

Under 30 years old and teens welcome.

3THE DRUM BEAT

The Parle-moi / Talk With Me Language Pathologists with the Talk With Program Michèle O'Connell. children's early education program held a Me service), and Elder Darryl Nicholas of After the speeches, a group of ten bash at the MMFN recreation centre on the Tobique First Nation. children from the MMFN entertained the November 28, 2011 to celebrate the release There was a great turnout for the DVD crowd with drumming and songs, assisted of its new multilingual (French, English and launch event. Talk With Me Extra-mural by Sue Belanger and MMFN Elder Stewart Maliseet) DVD. Bernard.

T a l k W i t h M e i s a Everyone at the DVD launch community-based language- was presented with a copy of the development service staffed by DVD. The DVD will also be given specialized speech-language free of charge to all families pathologists. Designed for participating in the activities of families with children from the Talk With Me service in the infants to five years of age, the Madawaska-Victoria region, and program assists children in families of children in the Head learning to speak and listen, and Start program for First Nations in prepares them for learning to read the Atlantic provinces. and write. The Talk With Me service is a

The DVD was developed by component of the Extra-Mural the service as a tool to help parents Program of Vitalité Health and educators prevent language N e t w o r k . T h e D V D w a s delays and encourage activities sponsored by Health Canada and that support good communication Madawaska Raising Children.skills in children. For more information on the

S e v e r a l M M F N b a n d programs available in the members took part in the Madawaska-Victoria region recording of the DVD, including Sue Program Manager Mariette Lafrance was contact Michèle O'Connell, Speech-Belanger, Coordinator of the MMFN's the master of ceremonies and speeches were Language Pathologist, at 506-739-2863 or Aboriginal Head Start (AHS) program and made by MMFN Chief Joanna Bernard, michele.oconnell@vitalitenb.ca .six children from the MMFN AHS program. Minister of Health Madeleine Dubé, For more information about the Other contributors included children and Representative of the Vitalité Health MMFN's Aboriginal Head Start program, or parents from First Nations programs from Network Marie-Claude Daigle, and Speech- to obtain a copy of the new Talk With Me Grand Falls to Edmundston, Michèle Language Pathologist and Assistant- D V D , c o n t a c t S u e B e l a n g e r a t O'Connell and Julie Boucher (Speech- Director of the Talk With Me Extra-Mural sueb@nbnet.nb.ca.

DVD Release Party!!

The Madawaska Maliseet First Nation is Band office early in the morning and returns extending an invitation to all its members to late in the evening. The actual time at sea is come and join us for this year's inaugural approximately two hours.voyage on board its three fishing vessels, Lunch and supper will be provided.Fishin'Fever, Roxanne II, and Brenda's A date has not yet been set but the voyage Destiny. The boats will be making their way is expected to occur on a Saturday or a Sunday to Val-Comeau from Pointe-Sapin where they in mid-April 2012. are currently being stored for the winter. If you are interested, please contact

The Band will provide bus transportation Linda Beaulieu at the Band Administration to Pointe-Sapin where the vessels will be Office with your name and the number of launched. Buses will then meet passengers in people in your party.Val-Comeau to return them to the MMFN. Children under the age of 15 years must

The day-long excursion leaves from the be accompanied by an adult.

march 2012

4THE DRUM BEAT march 2012

Never be fo re have I eve r On this life path there are also many experienced what I am going through good memories of my time with my now that my SOULMATE has gone on LIFEMATE, and I must seize these before me, without me. The pain that she memories to give me every ounce of went through for years before she passed strength to go on. There are also a lot of on was physical, the pain of cancer and realities on this path that I must accept, diabetes and all her many other ailments. the reality of sitting down to a meal three I felt her pain also watching her wilt times a day alone, of going to bed at night away and trying to care for her as she got alone, of going shopping and not weaker and weaker. Many times I wished knowing what to buy or how much to that I could have taken all the pain away buy, keeping the house clean, paying the from her and do her suffering for her, but bills, figuring out a budget.she would never have let this happen For 51 years, my wife did all these though, she did not want to see me suffer, things for me, for over 18,600 days, for she wanted me to be strong and go on 56 thousand meals, I helped her living. whenever I could but she carried the

Now that she's gone and no longer brunt of the load. I don't know how long suffering, I feel comfort in knowing that the path I'm following is and I don't know she is resting in peace. where the path will lead me, but I do

The path that I find myself on now thank the Creator for giving me Gail for leads me to somewhere I do not know. It's 51 years and I will do my best to honour a very lonely path, a path full of doubts her in the time I have left and I will do my and fears, a path full of pain, mental pain best to continue down this path of tears and heart breaking pain. It's a narrow until the time comes when I will be path, a path of one, a path of tears. But I reunited with the love of my life, my wife know that I must continue down this Gail.grieving path because on this path there are also twigs of healing and I must grab Your Loving Husband,every one of these twigs to give me Floydstrength to go on.

Congratulations to MMFN band many contestants and has provided them An abundance of new inventions, ideas member John Bernard who will be starring with opportunities to meet successful and programs encouraged organizers to again as a judge on the innovative Canadian Aboriginal business people from across bring The Big Idea back for an encore. The television show The Big Idea. John was a Canada. momentum has now carried the show judge on season two and three, and has been The idea for the show was born at the through three seasons, with no signs of invited back again for season four. Aboriginal Innovations Conference held by slowing down.

In season two, John sat alongside an The Dreamcatcher Charitable Foundation a Taping for season three of The Big Idea expert panel of judges, which included began last August with an audition tour Robert Herjavec, Sass Jordan, Jerry across Canada. The finals were held at Montour and David Tuccaro. In season the Cando Convention Centre in three, he sat on the panel with judges Dan Richmond B.C. in November. Auditions Brant and David Tuccaro. They were for season four are expected to begin on also joined by the W-Network's “The this summer.Cupcake Girls”. The Dreamcatcher Foundation

Based on the popular CBC plans to continue the event. The money television show Dragon's Den, The Big Idea few years ago. Dan Brant, CEO of the raised will go towards granting wishes for invites Aboriginal innovators from across Dreamcatcher Foundation, created the the future leaders of the Aboriginal Canada to share their ideas for a chance to conference to raise money for the community. win cash or investment capital. foundation in order to give back to For more information about The

Fast paced and exhilarating, The Big Aboriginal youth and individuals applying Dreamcatcher Foundation and The Big Idea Idea has been a life changing experience for for grants to the organization. please visit www.dcfund.ca.

MMFN band member stars as a judge on the Canadian television show The Big Idea

Many Native nations in this country would come up with a plan to move us still face serious poverty, deplorable living forward, someone who cared about the conditions, and struggle with addictions and members and their future,” said Joanna, violence. More tragic and frightening is the “This situation, coupled with annual fact that Native communities also suffer government cutbacks, meant we were not from the highest statistics of youth suicide able to meet the needs of the members, and in the country. the future looked grim.”

These problems have often made me When asked about the impact of her stop and think about my own Nation, the years as a leader and if it had changed her MMFN, how lucky we are as a people and vision and goals in any way, she replied how much we have as a community. We emphatically, “My vision for the have what many of our brothers and sisters community has never changed, it has only only dream of having. expanded and become more exciting;

So why is it that some aboriginal knowing that we will be able to take care of nations suffer while others prosper in this ourselves; be able to govern ourselves. country? I believe leadership is the answer. Someday, we will not need the government We, the people, must take a hard look at the to tell us what we as a Nation can do!”leaders we elect. So, what remains to be completed

In an effort to find out what the MMFN during the remainder of her mandate?is doing right, I contacted Chief Joanna “Before I finish my mandate as chief,” Bernard of the MMFN and asked her for an Joanna said, “I want to see the first cheque

things.” With a smile, she added, “As a interview. She graciously agreed. from the province on the tax returns of our councillor, I will be able to stay home and Joanna was born in Bos ton , band's corporation. I will then know that sleep in my own bed every night. As Chief, Massachusetts. Her mother Margaret (nee what I started has begun to bear fruit. Ever there is a lot of traveling involved to meet DiMaggio) is an Italian from Boston, and after, that cheque will increase, year-after-the demands of office and my duty to the her father Stewart Bernard is a Maliseet year, for the rest of our lives, our children's people.”from the MMFN. The family lived in the lives, and all our descendants to come.”

I asked Joanna if she had a special States for a while when she was very young Joanna is currently on the Board of message for our young Native women and and moved back to the reserve in 1971 Directors and is President of the Union of men. She was quick to reply. “I believe that where most of them remain today. New Brunswick Indian Chiefs where she staying in school is one of the most Joanna had some great role models also served as Vice President for two terms. important things that our youth need to while growing up and was familiar with a She has held the title of Executive Director know. Be proud of who you are. Take pride life in service to her community. Her mother of the Atlantic Policy Congress since its in your life and be the best you can be, in Margaret became the first woman chief of inception. She is on the board of the Natural school, at home, wherever you are, in the MMFN in February of 1985, and both Resource Committee, the Board of whatever you do.”her parents have always been active Education Committee, and the Chiefs

Woliwon, Chief Joanna Bernard, for members of the community. Committee on Economic Development in your interview. I am very proud of your Joanna was first elected as a councillor Canada as a representative for the Atlantic accomplishments and am honored by your for the MMFN in 2001. Two years later, she Chiefs. She also represents the New commitment to our people. began her ten-year mandate as chief. Brunswick Chiefs on the Indian Resource

Sincerely, “The first time I thought about running Council, and sits on the board of the Russfor chief was when I was a councillor and Maliseet Natural Conservation Council.This was a condensed version of the witnessed the exploitation by the chief who Joanna said she may go into business

interview with Chief Joanna Bernard. To was in office at that time. I felt strongly that for herself when she retires from politics, view the article in its entirety, please visit he really did not have a vision for the but in the meantime, she plans to run for www.whispernthunder.orgcommunity. We needed someone who council next term to “continue fine-tuning

MMFN Chief Joanna Bernard

A call to duty, not a step up in power~ by Russ Letica

5THE DRUM BEAT

I have been living here on the walking on the reserve. The traffic on For me, having sidewalks on the MMFN for the past 42 years. When Main Street is very fast and walking reserve is a big deal. I hope everyone in someone told me we were going to have along that road was dangerous, especially the community enjoys the new sidewalks sidewalks on the reserve, I couldn't at night. In the winter, darkness comes as much as I do! believe it. I never thought I would see it very early, but now I can even go for a happen in my lifetime. I have always walk in the evening. I am so pleased to be Sincerely,walked wherever I needed to go but hated able to walk around now and feel safe! Patricia Wallace

Delighted about sidewalks on the reserve

march 2012

Children’s Christmas party and sleigh ride!Children’s Christmas party and sleigh ride!

6THE DRUM BEAT march 2012

7THE DRUM BEAT

Elder’s Christmas dinner was loads of fun!Elder’s Christmas dinner was loads of fun!

The MMFN Elder's Christmas supper competition. Good luck Cindy!! was held on December 2nd. This year's The Chief and Council held their meal was another scrumptious feast, thanks swearing-in ceremony as part of the to Marco Thériault. evening's scheduled events, which included

Cindy Richard entertained the diners lots of fun, games and prizes. with her beautiful voice. Cindy is Danny Special thanks go to the St-John Valley Richard's daughter and has been singing Gas Bar and Pirate de la Mer for their since she was a little girl. She is presently donations and to Micheline Plante and participating in the Maritime Idol Janelle Grondin for all their help!

MMFN Elder's Christmas dinner

Children's Christmas PartySanta came to town on December 11th for supper, and had a blast playing games

for the MMFN Children's Christmas party. and winning prizes. The jolly old elf arrived at 2:30 p.m. to cries Thank you to the Madawaska of excitement from the children. There Entertainment Centre for their donation and were rides in a horse-drawn carriage all to all the volunteers who helped out.afternoon. The kids chowed down on pizza See photos on page 6.

MMFN Staff Christmas

partyThe MMFN band office held its

staff Christmas party on December 15th. The Directors of the new Economic Development Corporation were also invited to join in the festivities, which were held at the Cafe de la Vieille Forge. The food was delicious, and the staff enjoyed a gift exchange. It was a great way to top off the year; everyone had lots of fun.

MMFN Chief Joanna Bernard (far right) and Councillors Diane Pelletier (second from left) and Patricia Bernard (second from right) were sworn in to office by Bert Lebrun for another term as part of the celebrations at the Elder’s Christmas Dinner in December.

march 2012

8THE DRUM BEAT

Madawaska Maliseet First Nation

For more information, members are encouraged to visit:

www.madawaskamaliseetfirstnation.com

1771 Main Street, M.M.F.N., N.B., E7C 1W9

Tel: (506) 739-9765 Fax: (506) 735-0024

Chief: Joanna BernardCouncillors: Patricia Bernard

Diane PelletierReceptionist: Linda BeaulieuFinancial Assistant: Laurie WallaceHealth Director: Catherine Bernard

Nurse: Janelle GrondinEducation Director: Linda WallaceHousing Coordinator: David GagnonNNADAP Councillor: Michel PelletierSocial Development Officer: Louise OuelletteIndian Registry Administrator: Patricia Wallace Band Administrator: Donna Wallace-Bourgeault

Micheline PlanteChief Joanna Bernard:

Where are my Chief and Council?Where are my Chief and Council?

Councillor Patricia Bernard:

JANUARYJean-Guy Cimon & Louise Bellefleur 31/01/1975FEBRUARYRobert St-Onge et Lynne-Marie Hébert 20/02/1982MARCHRhony Pelletier & Michelle Jacques 04/03/1994

MAYKevin LeBlanc & Dianne Bernard 19/05/2008Normand Cimon & Diane Levesque 20/05/1967Gérard Cimon & Gaëtane Morneault 20/05/1970Ronald Talbot & Valerie Stuart 22/05/1982William Kennedy & Joanne Wallace 27/05/1967Brian Letica & Veronica Galvan 27/05/1981

No travel required.

Councillor Diane Pelletier:

Nov. 14 to 17:Health conference in Dartmouth

Nov. 2: UNBINov. 3: UNBI and AAEDIRP

Steering Committee Nov. 30: Owner group in HalifaxNov. 30: MNCCDec. 1: APC in Cole HarbourDec. 12: FNEII in FrederictonDec. 14&15: All Chiefs in Fredericton

APRILWilfred Fraser & Susan Bernard 09/04/1994Robert L. Boidi & Ramona Stuart 20/04/1985Nicholas Irvine & Bernadette Bernard 21/04/1979André Albert & Renée Cimon 22/04/1999

Wedding Anniversaries

The streets on the MMFN were an especially vibrant and colourful place to be over the holidays this year. The MMFN band office held a Christmas house decorating contest and participants outdid themselves.

For the overall best decoration, a first prize of $200 went to Micheline Thériault. Prizes of $100 each were also awarded to Albert Richard for the best dressed house on Maliseet and Wallace Street, Philippe Francis for Main Street, and Donna Richard for Francis, Cimon, Bernard, Stuart's Way and Little Falls streets.

Winners of the Christmas decorating contest

The MMFN is bursting with talent and, just to prove it, the band office held another photo contest earlier this month for its band members and registered residents. The theme of this contest was “Winter Wonderland”. The top prize of $100 went to Nicky Bernard, Isabelle Cyr received $50 for second place, and third place went to Darryl Pelletier who received $25. The Chief's pick was Francine Cimon’s photo and she received $25.

The panel of five judges considered originality, composition, technical execution and artistic merit. Each participant was allowed to enter only one photograph and no digital manipulations and adjustments are were allowed.

Winning photos will be posted outside of the band office and will also be published on the website.

march 2012

“Winter Wonderland” Photo Contest Winners!!

The MMFN's website has received a fabulous new make-over, many thanks to the excellent efforts of Gerald Grondin, our new webmaster. If anyone has any concerns or suggestions, please contact the band office.

MMFN website makeoverDo you have a knack for writing and a nose for news? Do you have a great story and want to share it? We're looking for local news and stories about folks in our community, opinions, words of wisdom from the elders, questions, suggestions and more. All age groups are encouraged.

Please contact Donna Wallace-Bourgeault at the Band office (506) 739-9765 for more information.

Your Opinion Counts!