WEEKEND SPECIAL MOMENTS
Special moments shared at annual community awards banquet
Membertou’s red carpet night.
“Welalioq!”
On its own, Welalioq is a strong term. It is how Mi’kmaw people offer thanks to a group of others. When uttered by an elder, its expression is heard by all, and is felt deep inside.
It was all that needed to be said by elder Katy McEwan, upon receiving the 2017 Grand Chief Membertou Lifetime Achievement Award.
Beloved as one of our community’s spiritual leaders and keeper of our language, she turns 75 in April.
The presentation of her award was the perfect way to open Membertou’s annual community awards banquet.
The Rising Stars Award, introduced in 2016, went to Wade Francis and Allison (Ally) Martin.
Ally Martin, 11, is a Grade 6 student at Maupeltuewey Kina’matno’kuom and absolutely loves dancing. A student at Lucy Winterman’s School of Dance, Ally was recently featured in the Savoy Theatre’s “Nutcracker” ballet. Her parents are Lindsay and Joey Sylvester.
Wade Francis, son of Dorothy and Gabe Francis, is a self-trained swimmer. He represented Mi’kma’ki at the North American Indigenous Games and is a member of the Cape Breton Dorados swim team.
Youth Chief Montana Marshall presented the Rising Stars Award.
Unbeknownst to our ‘Saqmaw’jij,’ it would not be her only moment in the evening’s spotlight.
Upon returning to the pancakes that she made famous, MC Darren Googoo called her back to the stage.
This time, however, Montana was honoured with the Edward Kabatay Memorial Award for culture and language.
The 18-year-old jingle dancer was featured in several videos about Mi’kmaw traditions and holds the record for most MemberNews cover photos. She is the daughter of Jennifer Marshall and Shane Paul.
Earlier in the evening, she joined her peers in serving our elders the traditional Shrove Tuesday favourites. In Mi’kmaw custom, elders are always served first.
And, yes, all the good stuff was on the menu —pancakes, beans, fishcakes, sausage, home fries, and luskinikn with molasses.
This communal feast and celebration of our families is what makes it the favourite time of year in Membertou. It is just one of those special moments that we are all able to
share together.
And special moments call for special recognition.
This year, Membertou recognized brothers Michael and JR (George Jr.) Isadore. Grandsons of the late Wallace Bernard, they lead the Wallys Committee in delivering the annual hockey tournament named in honour of their grandfather. They are the sons of Jane Meader and George Isadore Sr.
Mike and JR are prepping for next month’s Wallys, taking place March 8-11.
One of our local hockey stars received the Paul Gould Memorial Award for sportsperson of the year. Charlie Joe Francis, son of MaryI Joe and Leonard Francis, has been scoring goals since age four. He is currently captain of the Sydney Steelers Atom A team.
His counterpart this year was Taylor Sylvester, daughter of Darren and Barbara.
Taylor, 14, is a competitive swimmer and volleyball player. Also a NAIG veteran, she recently captured the Hub League volleyball championship with her teammates. Her family made the trip from Truro to attend Tuesday’s banquet.
Membertou’s 2017 honouree for the Bradley Christmas Memorial Award for citizen of the year was none other than Gloria Nicholas.
Known as “Meme” to her family and friends, Gloria is Membertou’s Seniors/55+ coordinator and a well-loved member of our community. The people truly selected a welldeserving person for the award.
Congratulations to all the winners — Gloria Nicholas, Katy McEwan, Wade Francis and Ally Martin, Montana Marshall, Mike and JR Isadore, Taylor Sylvester and Charlie Joe
Francis.
All memorial awards were presented by family members, except for the Grand Chief Membertou award. His family
could not attend as they were attending an Ancestry.ca party.
But our night was not finished yet.
Before Darren Googoo and
Chief Terry Paul gave the evening’s salutations, we were treated to the solo debut of the leader of the Harvettes — David Meuse.
One Man Harv delivered one of the most resonating renditions of the Mi’kmaq “Honour Song” ever. Stay tuned for David and the Harvettes as their future is headed for stardom.
Thank you to all the event organizers, our chief and council, the amazing Membertou Trade & Convention Centre staff, and the beautiful people that make our community so great.
I’ll see you at next year’s Shrove Tuesday banquet on March 5, 2019.