Bringing people together
Sweet Water Maiden and Grandmother Moon events set for August, September
The 150th anniversary of Canada is an opportunity to bring people together to foster greater understanding between Indigenous peoples in Canada and non-Indigenous Canadians.
With that in mind, the Cape Breton Highlands National Park has two special events planned that will provide opportunities to learn about Indigenous traditions and customs to better understand the cultures and histories of Indigenous peoples in Canada.
The two events are in co-operation with Mary-Louise Bernard, a Parks Canada interpreter, children’s book author and former chief of Wagmatcook First Nation (1994-2002).
Sweet Water Maiden is based on Bernard’s book “Sweet Water Maiden: The Legend of Maple Syrup.” It tells the story of a young Mi’kmaq Maiden, who was the first to discover and boil sismoqnapui (maple sap) in Mi’kma’ki (Maritimes).
The story is told Thursdays from 8-9 p.m. at MacIntosh Brook in Cape Breton Highlands National Park. Admission is free.
Meanwhile, a Grandmother Moon ceremony took place on Saturday at 8 p.m. at the Cheticamp River near the Cheticamp
Campground. The Indigenous ceremony celebrated Grandmother Moon and women’s teachings. It is said that Grandmother Moon watches over the waters on the earth.
The ceremony will honour the earth’s waters including rainwater, ocean water, fresh water and sweet water (tree sap).
Ceremonies are scheduled for next month and September. The first ceremony is set for Aug. 8 at 8 p.m. at Ingonish Beach
Campground. Meanwhile, the second ceremony is scheduled for Sept. 6 at 7:30 p.m. at Cheticamp Campground. The final ceremony is set for Sept. 7 at 7:30 p.m. at Broad Cove Campground.
Parks Canada is inviting visitors to experience the events to help Indigenous and nonIndigenous Canadians to share in the country’s rich Indigenous heritage.