Recently, here in Bay St. George, some Aboriginal people were very fortunate to have been visited by a most inspirational Native from Alaska, Paul Pike. Paul is formerly from Corner Brook, son of Ronald and Bernadette, who now resides in Alaska. He related some of his past history to me as I listened intently.
"My life has been quite a journey, but my embracing of the Mi'kmaw culture has been the biggest blessing of all. I should start by properly introducing myself- My name is Paul Pike; I am Ktaqmkukwa Mi'kmaw - Newfoundland Mi'kmaw. My family is Crow Clan (Gabriel on my mother's side). I grew up in Elmastukwek Corner Brook, Bay of Islands) but most of my relatives come from Stephensville crossing and St. George's. I am of mixed blood - Aboriginal, French and Irish ancestors. I did not grow up with our traditional ceremonies, language or songs; but I did grow up with a void in my life.
I guess you could say that I was a circle trying to fit into a square world. My home life was great with a loving family and always having what we needed. My void was more of a spiritual one wanting to make sense of myself and my soul. I questioned my parents and other relatives but no one knew anything about our Native ceremonies. I was lucky that any of them would even admit to being Mi'kmaq, I later learned why.
Generations of my ancestors have been taught by authorities in the past to feel shame for being who they were as soon as they were old enough to go to Church or school. After generations of being beaten for speaking the language, etc. no one wanted to pass on anything to their children that would opress or degrade them in this manner. Luckily there have been some families that managed to protect their culture.
Saqamaw Misel Joe is one of those people. He is the Traditional Saqamaw for all of Ktaqmkuk and he lives in Miaqpukek (Conne River Reservation Chief). There are many others throughout the Island. I enjoy learning from every one of them and with each part of the culture brought back to me, comes a feeling of completeness for my soul.
Most people in Newfoundland know me as a rock guitarist who played the bar scene there for many years. Later, I started touring other parts of Canada with different groups until I ended up joining a group from Montreal who also played in the United States. This is how I ended up in Alaska. I found something there that was kind of hidden at home - a large Native community that was very visible and was included in mostly all local affairs. From the Alaska people, I learned alot about who I really was. There was no colonialism in their society which meant that from my perspective the Native Peoples felt a little more included in the everyday events. I learn alot from the Elders who talk openly about Native ceremonies and spirituality.
At home, I would only find this on the Miawpukek Reservation. By learning from other Sub-arctic cultures such as the Athabascans, I was also learning about my own culture. The Mikmaw and the Athabascans are caribou cultures. After many years of ceremonies and prayers, I now feel comfortable with who I am. Traditional singing has become important to me and I have incorporated this into my music. My group, 'Medicine Dream' (www.medicinedream.com), a contemporary group, composes music that mixes rock with traditional powwow. It has a positive message for all people. The group performs for schools, troubled teen centers, community events, et al and promotes a healthy lifestyle free from alcohol and drugs, as well as cultural unity. In Mi'kmaq we say 'Msit Nokamaq', we are all related.
Medicine Dream also performs at large concerts and has been nominated for three music awards in the Native American Music Awards as well as having contributed to the compilation "Gathering- Native Alaskan Music and Words", nominated at NAMA 2001 for Best Historical Recording. The group has been recording since 1995 and currently has released it's CD "Mawio'mi" (the gathering) on the international label Canyon Records. The newest release "Tomegan Gospem" will be out this summer, it's a special project for me. With these songs, I get to talk about some of the issues concerning Mi'kmaq people and the misinformation that has been related to us. I am very excited about this cd because it is a chance for me to share with the world a glimpse of Mi'kaq culture in Newfoundland. It is my prayer that the new generation feel good about who they are, and to pass on to their children's children our special traditions, so that we will continue to exist and always be a part of this Island of Ktaqmkuk.
Welalin - thank you."
After the story telling, Paul played a drum made in Newfoundland from Moose skin and sang in Mi'kmaw. His story and music were so powerful and touching, taking us away from our material world with a feeling of such great relaxation, that it left us all with immense respect for this remarkable individual; but it also left us with a feeling of sadness that he does not reside at home anymore where he could help so many Natives with the very numerous problems they have originating from a lack of self-respect, dignity and confidence. Welalin Paul for sharing yourself with us.
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