Learning To Bring Unity

Reconciliation is still being worked towards.

This includes talks, discussions, presentations, and gatherings.

The Wabanaki people held a unity gathering last weekend at the St. Thomas conference center.

“Really the main theme of this gathering is unity. So unity within the different Nations, and between the different Nations, but also unity as a theme moving forward as kind of a spirt of reconciliation,” said lead organizer Katalin Koller.

This weekend event was packed with presentations and group discussions on how to work towards this theme of “unity” as a Nation.

All the featured speakers were women. All touching on issues they face and have faced as a Nation.

Having all women speakers was planned.

“I strategically done that because our traditional governance had the Clan Mothers who were the leaders of each nation, and they were the ones who directed the grand chief. How to speak what to say and which direction to go politically,” said Grand Chief Ron Tremblay.

Tremblay also mentioned this gathering was to help educate their Nation as a whole, but most importantly the younger generation as well.

“As you seen today there was plenty of young people who came and who are really thirsty for more knowledge and wisdom about our ways,” says Tremblay.

 

Meals, socials, and traditional drumming along with a smudging ceremony were all planned into the weekend.

Indigenous art vendors that included clothing, beading work and paintings were all displayed in the foyer. Showing the love and dedication they had for their Nation.

The weekend was filled with smiles and welcomes, people catching up and working together to have better unity for the future.

Justice Gurben an attendee said “ I Gathered a lot of insight about different histories and different knowledge systems, as well as different world views so I thought it was a great event all in all.”