Artist: Lisa Marie Francis, Acadia First Nation
Mi'kmaq Nation Grandmothers
It has been said that "women are the backbone of a people, they are the
givers of life; Grandmothers are the protectors of families and
teachers of children, our communities, our nations.
This is our responsibility".
Who are we?
The Mi'kmaki Nugumijk are L'nu grassroots grandmothers striving to regain and fulfill the traditional roles as Elders, Clan mothers, protectors, nurturers and teachers.
The Grandmothers traditional roles give unconditional love and teachings for our children, grandchildren and the future generations based on The 7 Sacred Teachings (Natural Laws). The Grandmothers carry the heart of the people for all future generations to come.
The Origin of Grassroots Grandmothers Circle
At a Shake Tent ceremony in Elsipogtog, in September 2008 during the annual Mawiomi, I asked the question, "What can we do to help our L'nu people, our communities?" The answer that came was, "Form The Grassroots Grandmother's Circles to gather our strengths and gifts, empower the women to share these strengths to work together to help our people. We are to meet every Wednesday at 7PM and to use smudging before and after the circle. We are to open the Circle with a prayer, and close the Circle with a prayer. We are to use talking circles, provide safety, comfort and support to each other. We are to invite at least 4 grandfathers to support the women, to sit in to provide balance. We are to start small and build our strengths through creating and working towards successful events. Everyone is equal, no one person is the leader, respect all input and share what is learned, and what needs to be done. Keep the Circle going and it will grow stronger. Keep politics out of the Circle.
Others are invited to form these Grassroots Grandmother's Circles in their own communities and we will strive to get together during each season. One of our goals is to have a big Grassroots Grandmother's Circle Gathering in the Summer or fall each year. It will be to share what we have done to help deal with the issues in our communities, to help our families, our youth, our parents, elders and our Nation. We will share our vision of what we need to do to help our L'nu communities to heal.
Everything started with a prayer, a ceremony, a vision and commitment.
Nugami Doreen Bernard, Indian Brook, NS
Grassroots Grandmother's Circle became Mi'kma'ki Nugumijk in the Fall of 2009.
Our Goal
Our goal is to practice the traditional role as Elders, Grandmothers and Grandfathers, to gather and discuss, pray and contemplate, to voice and prepare for us a direction and purpose to move forward, to give hope and help to all L'nu.
We need to know the wisdom of the Elders who were here before us. We need to honor the wisdom of our Elders who are still here, to ask for them to come forward to share the oral history, traditional knowledge, unconditional love and respect with the people to help us to build our communities. Their teachings will also help strengthen our commitments to our people, our communities and all our Mi'kmaq Nation. This endeavor is for all our people and it is fundamental to any success in changing what is happening to our people within all our L'nu communities. The connection and roles that our Elders, Grandmothers and Grandfathers have to our young people must be restored.
Through the Seven Sacred Teachings of Love, Respect, Courage, Humility, Honesty, Wisdom and Truth, we will share the wisdom, and together we will find ways to help heal from the past and put forward our vision for our future, giving hope and help to our young people.
It would be an honor as Grandmothers to be invited to share our Vision and teachings within our communities. It is our dream to see Nukumijk Mawitom hosted by
all 7 Mi'kmaq Districts.
Contact Dorene or Marilyn to make arrangements for presentations in your community
Web Pages still under construction
Indian Brook
Dorene Bernard
902-758-3593
Acadia First Nations
Marilyn A. Francis
902-748-4644
EVENTS & WORKSHOPS
7 SACRED TEACHINGS
TRADITIONAL TEACHINGS
Grandmothers' Song
Grandmothers sitting in the East, I feel you looking at me
and I pray to you, pray for you.
You are Sacred.
I feel you looking at me.
Grandmothers sitting in the South, I feel you looking at me
and I pray to you, pray for you.
You are Sacred.
I feel you looking at me.
Grandmothers sitting in the West, I feel you looking at me
and I pray to you, pray for you.
You are Sacred.
I feel you looking at me.
Grandmothers sitting in the North, I feel you looking at me
and I pray to you, pray for you.
You are Sacred.
I feel you looking at me.
Grandmothers sitting in the Sky, I feel you looking at me
and I pray to you, pray for you.
You are Sacred.
I feel you looking at me.
Grandmothers sitting in the Earth, I feel you looking at me
and I pray to you, pray for you.
You are Sacred.
I feel you looking at me.
Grandmothers sitting in my Heart, I feel you looking at me
and I pray to you, pray for you.
You are Sacred.
I feel you watching over me.
Welalioq. Msit Nogoma
