1 December 2014 Role Model of the Year Ernest Johnson Hand painted drums lined the front of the stage at the ABMHS gymnasium in Eskasoni on December 2, as Ernest Johnson was presented with the annual Role Model Award. Ernest worked with the students earlier this year making the drums that were on display and they wanted to thank him for all his time and effort by honoring him with this annual award. School staff, Chief and Council, education representatives, community members, friends, colleagues, and family of Ernest gathered at this ceremony to share in his special day. One friend compared Ernest to “an ant”, always on the go, always busy, always doing or creating something. He is also considered a bounty of Mi'kmaq traditional knowledge and is very eager and willing to pass down his knowledge to those who want to learn. Ernest Johnson was born in Potlotek in the 1940s but moved to Eskasoni in his early childhood. He is the son of Margaret (Johnson) Morris and Edward Paul and was raised by his grandparents Ma’li Pelasi and Noel Johnson. Ernest shared stories of his youth, of his traditional upbringing and learning to survive by gathering, hunting and fishing alongside his grandfather in Eskasoni. He said that he was, “poor in material things but rich in cultural things” His eagerness to share his wealth of cultural knowledge is a major reason the students of ABMHS wanted to recognize him. Na’teliaq
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December 2014
Role Model of the YearErnest Johnson
Hand painted drums lined the front of the stage at the ABMHS gymnasium in Eskasoni on December 2, as Ernest Johnson was presented with the annual Role Model Award.
Ernest worked with the students earlier this year making the drums that were on display and they wanted to thank him for all his time and effort by honoring him with this annual award. School staff, Chief and Council, education representatives, community members, friends,
colleagues, and family of Ernest gathered at this ceremony to share in his special day.
One friend compared Ernest to “an ant”, always on the go, always busy, always doing or creating something. He is also considered a bounty of Mi'kmaq traditional knowledge and is very eager and willing to pass down his knowledge to those who want to learn.
Ernest Johnson was born in Potlotek in the 1940s but moved to Eskasoni in his early childhood. He is the son of Margaret (Johnson) Morris and Edward Paul and was raised by his
grandparents Ma’li Pelasi and Noel Johnson.
Ernest shared stories of his youth, of his traditional upbringing and learning to survive by gathering, hunting and fishing alongside his grandfather in Eskasoni. He said that he was, “poor in material things but rich in cultural things” His eagerness to share his wealth of cultural knowledge is a major reason the students of ABMHS wanted to recognize him.
Na’teliaq
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Because of his upbringing, Ernest has a very strong work ethic. He travelled throughout the United States and worked in construction for several years before returning to Eskasoni to raise his own family. He spent two terms as a band councilor and several years working for the Union of Nova Scotia Indians.
After stepping away from politics
Ernest became an entrepreneur, opening an arcade, a store, and a silk screening and printing business. In the 90’s he decided he would like to work with the community in a different way. Ernest found that a lot of people forgot how to identify natural resources and since he had extensive knowledge in Mi'kmaq hunting, fishing and gathering, he began sharing his knowledge with schools. He is also an elder advisor for the Unama'ki Institute of Natural Resources.
During the celebration, Ernest was honoured with a beautiful hand painted drum, an original song, written and played on the fiddle by a student, a plaque, gifts, and a video of congratulations and praise from family and friends.
Upon accepting his award, Ernest acknowledged that his greatest trait is that he wants to teach our youth the Mi'kmaq ways, to take ownership of what they have learned, and in return pass down that knowledge for the next generation.
"That was my dream to teach our youth. I have learned from my ancestors and now I share my knowledge. To see the
support and interest from our students gives me nourishment and this is what makes me keep coming back.”
- Ernest Johnson
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Shop Of The ClassOn Thursday December 11, 2014 Lucas Christmas, a student from Membertou Elementary, participated in the annual festive event called Shop of the Class at the Mayflower Mall in Sydney.
For the past seven years, officers from the Cape Breton Regional Police service have volunteered their time to accompany students to the mall and supervise some holiday shopping.
Students are chosen to participate by their schools and this year approximately 40 students took part in the event. Each student received a $100 Mayflower Mall gift certificate along with $100 in spending money.
Students were treated to a pizza lunch, some Christmas craft-making and a visit with Santa. After the eventful day
at the mall, each student was given a new winter jacket and a stocking filled with gift certificates, fruit, candy, and some fantastic door prizes, all donated by local merchants.
With Sgt. Scott Reeves at his side, Lucas explored the mall from end to end, picking up some of his favourite toys and games and items of clothing. Lucas was especially excited about his Colorado hat that he’ll wear in the summer time. Although he didn’t have much to say after his long and exciting day, he did say that his favorite part of the day was getting to meet Santa.
Sgt. Reeves enjoyed the day almost as much as Lucas and looks forward to this event every year.
“I’ve been doing this for about four years now. The kids and I always enjoy it.”
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Christmas Concerts
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Finding Your InspirationThe Mi’kmaq Project for Innovation and Collaboration (MPIC), under the direction of The Confederacy of Mainland Mi’kmaq, developed the “Finding Your Inspiration” (FYI) program.
FYI encourages youth from grades nine to twelve to become career minded prior to applying to and attending post secondary institutions.
The Program provides education through skill building workshops, exposure to training institutions
through post secondary visits, and work experience through on the job training.
FYI was first administered in Pictou Landing last year, and this year was rolled out in Potlotek and Paqtnkek. Through engagement of youth in a classroom setting surrounded by their peers, FYI invoked discussions and thought processes in youth so they can begin thinking about what their future career may be.
FYI assessed the youth’s employability skills (resume writing, job searching, interview skills) and matched them with careers that were of interest to them. At the end of the program, the youth had a greater skill set and knowledge base which will better prepare them in the transition from secondary to post secondary education.
For more information about FYI, contact Ann Sylliboy at [email protected].
Diabetes Month Walking Challenge WinnersEach year MK schools across the province participate in the Aboriginal Diabetes Initiative’s School Walking Challenge for Diabetes Prevention.
For the entire month, students in Grades 4, 5, & 6 take turns wearing a pedometer during school hours, in addition to partaking in other physical activity and practicing healthy eating habits.
This year, the class that walked the most steps during the month of November was Mr. Calvin Stevens’ Grade 6 class in Eskasoni! Congratulations!
Thanks to all participating schools for continuing to engage in active and healthy living every day!
Who will be next year’s champion?!
Babies & BooksThe new MK literacy program, Babies & Books, launched this past Fall in Membertou and Indian Brook!
In this program, parents learn to stimulate their baby’s language development and growing mind.
The program took place over a six-week period where parents and their children interacted through reading books, singing songs, and reciting nursery rhymes.
The second session of Babies & Books will take place this Spring. For more information, contact Rebecca Scirocco-Paul at [email protected].
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L’nui’suti AppA new app for learning the Mi’kmaw language was launched on December 9!
L’nui’suti is an app designed for non-speakers to learn the language. All content is used in first person singular.
The app is designed for both iPad and iPhone and can be downloaded here on iTunes.
This past Fall, MK and ACFNHD published the app Wowkwis aq Ka’qaquj, a story written by Barbara Sylliboy and illustrated by Re’jey Gould.
CBU Nursing Students Win $25K in Spark Competition
CBU Nursing students Chris Walker, Tanas Sylliboy, Kate MacEachern, Kelsey Robertson and Taylor Sibley, formed TACKK Mobile Health Solutions, and won $25,000 in Innovacorp’s Spark competition.
As part of a nursing course, students developed a business case on how they can improve patient outcomes and save health care dollars. TACKK Mobile Health Solutions developed an app called FootChek; FootChek and FootChekPro applications offering healthcare professionals and consumers a real-time, interactive diabetic foot monitoring application to help reduce the incidence of diabetic foot ulcers.
Corrine MacIsaac, Associate Professor of Nursing says, "This win validates the innovative capabilities of our nursing students, they are often unencumbered by the 'can not change the status quo mantra' and have very much a can do attitude; we will continue to foster this proactive and upstream approach to health care as we try and do our part to improve patient outcomes and help to sustain the health care system."
Funds awarded are to be used to support the completion of prototypes or preparation for taking the product or service to market. In addition to the funding, winners will receive mentoring from seasoned business people through Cape Breton’s new MENTOR CONNECT program.
Youth Profile: Chelsea BrooksTell us a little bit about yourself!
My name is Chelsea Brooks. My home community is Indian Brook, Nova Scotia.
When did you start painting? Did you have any formal training? What prompted/inspired you?
I first started painting at the age of two years old, and now I am
twenty three years old. My dad taught me to draw and paint and to be as creative as I can. He was the best teacher a daughter could ask for. He has and always will continue to inspire and influence my artwork. He passed away this past May, and I have been making it my priority to carry on the art legacy that is a big part of our
family.
Where has your art been featured?
In grade two, I won second place at the Atlantic Aboriginal Art Contest in the children’s category. In the past few years, my dad and myself were artists in a native art group movement. We also had art shows at town hall and the Casino Nova Scotia in Halifax. This past year, I had the opportunity to help design the image that would go on shirts for the "Circle Of Hope" solidarity rally and press conference for missing and murdered aboriginal women. That event took place in Halifax, July 2014.
This past October, I had the opportunity to have one of my paintings on the front cover of the "Canadian Aboriginal Books For Schools Catalogue" 2014-2015 edition. Twelve-thousand copies went out to schools across Canada. Recently I was contacted by CBC news radio to do a half hour interview for a radio show called Atlantic Voice. They titled my story "Her Fathers Spirit". I currently have artwork in different parts of the world such as Canada, USA, Europe, Australia, Japan.
What is your creative process?
My creative process begins with having the right frame of mind. I believe in doing good things and good will come back too you (the circle of life) - to be and stay positive. I then get ideas from being outdoors - looking at the sky. A lot of the time I will imagine my paintings in my mind, then I will plan out details and the colors I will use. I also believe that, when I paint, my dad guides me through each piece of art I create. I use acrylic paints, and spray paints is something I started adding to my paintings this past year.
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What does your work mean to you?
My art work is very personal.
Each time I create a painting, or make a custom painting for someone, I am giving you not only a painting, but I am also giving you my time, my energy, my thought process, my heart, and my soul.
My love for painting grew much more this past year after my fathers passing, because I knew it meant the world to him, which makes it mean the world to me. I will continue to express that with my art work.
What has been your greatest challenge and success so far?
My greatest challenge was losing my dad this past year, the one who always believed in everything I did and who was a big supporter of my art and got me in the door of the art world. After his passing I made this my main priority, and I work hard for where I am trying to get to with my art goals. Any opportunity I see or am offered, I go for it. My greatest success so far has been getting to where I am in the art world at a young age. I am thankful and blessed and know there is more to come in my future.
What are your plans for the future?
My plans and goals for my future would be to have an online website where you can browse and purchase art. I currently do sales through my Facebook page, over emails, and at events. I would love to create a children’s book with my images that would be written in both Mi'kmaq and english and put into schools. My dad encouraged this so I know I will want to do this at some point in my life.
Also, in the new year I plan to have my artwork put on shirts, and I am in the works of creating something beautiful for the ladies. My mom and I are going to work on this project together, so stay tuned!
How does one purchase a piece of your work?
I currently sell prints, paintings, custom orders, post cards, Christmas cards, gift bags, and more. I sell them at various events, over email at [email protected], and through my Facebook page: www.facebook.com/chelseabrooksnativeart
Thank you to everyone who took the time to read this, and to those who encourage me and my dreams! Remember, spread love through the power of positive thinking & positive energy.
Alan Syliboy Art Exhibit January 6-16, 2015, at James McConnell Memorial Library in Sydney
Patterns inspired by Kejimkujik petroglyphs and designs in Mi’kmaq quillwork, textiles and other art forms. His new works include abstracted landscapes, marked by dense texture, bold colour and
