Tapping into friendship
Getting together to tap trees for syrup
Taliaq, nitaps, it’s the second Saturday in April (Nipniku’s) and that means it’s time for your favourite Cape Breton Post article – MemberNews.
Although it’s technically spring (siwkw), winter (kesik) is content to overstay its welcome.
For reference, the words in parentheses are the Mi’kmaq translations. Nipniku’s translates into ‘egg laying month.’
Instead of laying eggs, folks in Membertou are tapping trees. And these local tappers are members of the Membertou Men’s Association.
The group was established only a few months back, but this past Tuesday was my first time attending. It was something I had planned on checking out for a bit, but the past months were some of my busiest.
My cousin Ryan, a single father of four daughters, is one of the founding members. He had approached me previously about getting involved with the group.
And I am so glad that he did. Thanks, cuz!
Our membership includes some of the best nitaps an Lnuk could have. I grew up with these guys. We all grew up together.
Some of us are related. Many of us are neighbours. We are all men. All of us are brothers, and we are from the Membertou family. Simply, we are all Membertou.
Listening to the discussion during my first time joining the group, I come to learn that the origins of our team started through some casual chit-chat at the rinks. Some of the guys were watching the kids playing hockey, and one light-heartedly suggested starting up a support group for Membertou’s fellas.
The talk lead to action. The dialogue started following the loss of some of our closest friends and family we grew up with. Within a year, we said our goodbyes to some young men who we wish were still here with us.
Our losses identified a vital need for our community members: support and resource from fellow peers. We have a shared vision for our future and it’s going to take a lot of hard work to accomplish what needs to be done.
The first activity was tapping maple trees for sap some weekends back with respected elder, Danny Paul.
You may remember Danny’s name (and photo) from previous articles. In our community, he is respected as one of our most esteemed cultural leaders, a leader in Lnu (Mi’kmaq) knowledge and the right person to talk to if you have any curiosities about Lnu people.
Without Danny’s skills, time and teachings, the first project would not be possible. Without the shiftwork being done by Dan, Ryan, John B. and Stephen, the first batches of maple syrup would probably still be waiting to be rendered. My cousin Ryan said to me, “A lot of stories and knowledge went into those bottles.”
I’d like to use this paragraph to send a shout-out to my bros:
Ryan Gould, Craig Christmas, John B. Paul and son Tom Brady, Stephen Paul and George Woodberry. An extra special thank you goes to Danny Paul and fellow elder, George Smith. And we cannot forget the Membertou Market for donating propane for the project. Wela’lio’q!
If I missed you, I will certainly not forget you in my next shoutout. Hope to see you all at our next meeting on April 17 at 3 Kateri St.
Membertou men, come on down and join us for a few hours. MemberNews readers, expect to read more about our team in the future!
Adam Gould is a lifelong community member from Membertou and the Kji Paparazzi. Recently he attended a meeting of the Membertou Men’s Association, a grassroots group formed to address important issues in our community. Feel free to email him at adamegould@gmail.