#epekwitk

[laikacore]

i finally found the thing i've been looking for

searching for, for years

i finally found it on an island out east

and there it tasted just as i'd imagined it would

rich chocolate, delicious and sweet

where i couldn't smell the difference in the air

but i could feel it on my skin

where i found myself in that rich red dirt

where it fades to soft amber sand

where it fades to an endless horizon of steely blue

and when i found it again here

at home, in the gray world

of tall glass buildings and honking cars

and the gasoline i can smell

it doesn't quite taste the same here, no

synthetic sugar, not quite right

not like it did on that island out east

with the rolling hills and the deep green trees

and the goats and the cows and the potato fields

ah, that's home, that's where i'm from

if not me then my family

and my family's family

l'nuk, on the mi'kma'ki

prince edward island/epekwitk by laika wallace

[tankawanka]

Three eagles take flight

Three eagles take flightSpiral up from Greenwich BeachHigher and higherDisappear into white cloudsLeaving claw marks in red sand AGG20230804 To all the posts that are arising out of my COVID-19 confinement, click here. To read Songs about Sex, Death & Cicadas by Andrew Grimes Griffin, just click on the link. To download a pdf, right click on the link and select “Save link as…”To read  as close as…

[burnbitebleed]

[patrick-jennings]

Before Steeples & Potatoes

Steeples and Potatoes, St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church, Grand River, Prince Edward Island, Canada -- Religion and agriculture of an invasive hoard, displacing the native Mi'kmaq people.

PEI As French as steeples As English as potatoes Unceded by the Mi’kmaq “Lying in the Water” Epekwitk Continue reading Untitled

[atlanticcanada]

Nature conservancy to buy tiny island off Prince Edward Island's north shore

A small, undeveloped island off the north shores of P.E.I. where blue herons, bald eagles and double-crested cormorants nest is set to be purchased by the Nature Conservancy of Canada and eventually placed under the full-time stewardship of the Mi'kmaq.

The Nature Conservancy of Canada announced plans this week to buy Oulton's Island, which is about one square kilometre in size and an important habitat not only for majestic birds but also woodland creatures such as snowshoe hare, red squirrel and migrating waterfowl.

The island, about 400 metres from Cascumpec Bay, has four kilometres of beach shoreline and supports salt marsh and freshwater wetland ecosystems and is also home to Acadian forests composed of jack pine, black spruce and white birch.

"We like the idea of protecting coastal islands," Lanna Campbell, Nature Conservancy of Canada's program director for Prince Edward Island, said in a recent interview. "It's an area of refuge for wildlife because they're often inaccessible to motorized vehicles or a lot of people, so they're just really quiet havens for wildlife."

The organization had its eyes on the island since the 1980s and stayed in touch with the landowners, she said. The conservancy bought the land for $1.2 million but still needs to raise about $300,000 to complete the purchase.

"It's a beautiful coastal forest," Campbell said. "We found a nesting great blue heron colony, which is a really impressive, beautiful bird. It always kind of looks like a dinosaur to me. We also found other birds nesting there, like double-crested cormorants. There's lots of eagles that live there. And so, once we really started to explore it, we knew it was a special place for wildlife."

About 90 per cent of Prince Edward Island is privately owned, and most landowners are good stewards, she said. But there is always the risk that if private property is sold to someone, they might log trees or "threaten its integrity," she added.

The Nature Conservancy of Canada, she said, has undertaken several conservation projects across the country. For example, the group negotiated the release of development and mineral rights to land in British Columbia to make it available for Indigenous-led conservation.

Darlene Bernard, chief of the Lennox Island First Nation, in P.E.I., called Oulton's Island an important piece of territory. The Mi'kmaq word for the area -- Kwesawe'k -- translates to "end of the island cape" or "end of the headland," she said.

"It's an island that has magnificent wetlands and a home for all kinds of special little creatures," she said. "And you know, our people would have used that island to sustain ourselves for generations."

She said the First Nation welcomed its partnership with the conservancy to protect the land, adding that she doesn't foresee any commercial development in the area. The conservancy's plan is to transfer ownership of the land in about five years to the Epekwitk Assembly of Councils, a Mi'kmaq governing body.

"Well, I think we would want to keep it in its pristine state that it's in now," Bernard said. "Certainly, we're not going to restrict visitors to the island. If you have a boat, you want to go over there and take a walk along its beautiful beaches and things like that, then you're certainly welcome to do that."

Campbell said she first visited the island in August, and she said it left her with quite an impression.

"It was a very sunny, beautiful day. The tide was low, so the beaches were really big," she said.

"And we were walking along in the sand watching the shorebirds, tiny little shorebirds, dance along in the sand in front of us looking for food. It was a walk around the whole island. I remember coming around a big wetland and watching a couple of really big herons take off -- big, beautiful blue birds. And it just kind of felt like we were visiting a fairyland. It was a very magical spot."

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 12, 2022.

from CTV News - Atlantic https://ift.tt/dCEzogm

[31n13]

interesting how epekwitk (pei) is a province but smaller than natigostec (anticosti) which is literally right next to it. always get those two mixed up on the map lol.

[the-good-projxct]

May 6th, 2024

3:22 pm listening to Inauma by Bien. This song is FIYAH. So many feels. Kenyan music is top tier. Hmm, lemme rephrase. Kenyan r&b/soul is FIYAH. I am a bit too foreign for the rap scene. They speak a swahili that I likely will never understand so I don’t even seek it. Wagwan baby cakes? My period started yesterday and I had these weird cramps. Like it hurt but it didn't hurt hurt. Usually it HURTS. Anyway, as usual I am on day 2 and feeling like a brand new babe. It's the day before and the first day that kicks my ass. Something I have been thinking a lot about is how humans deal with uncertainty. We plan and plan and plan. Make schedules and 5 year plans to calm the storm of uncertainty that unsettles us. However, no matter how much you plan, it rarely goes as planned. Life happens. Life is happening. All the time. And so I am trying to lean into this uncertainty. I have no idea what my life will look like in a year, in a month. I just know I have a small amount of income, my grandmother's house and a community that Loves me. And that is a lot. I have a lot. I am Blessed. This SZN of freedom. To do as I please with my time in my home country. To read books. Go on walks. Spend time with my grandmother. Fall in Love. I am also taking this SZN to Love myself. As I write about Love, I am seeing the ways I do not Love myself. In Epekwitk, I had these identities that I Loved. Black, immigrant, Queer femme, Artist, Activist, Sneaker head. None of these identities really hold water/exist in my current reality. I am a fat Meru woman raised in the Nairobi suburbs that lived in the west for a long time. That’s it. I don’t Love this identity. It is mine. It is where I am now. It is who I currently am. But I LOVED my Epekwitk identities. I cherished those. I related to those. Those identities fit me perfectly. This one feels too big or too small, like it doesn’t fit right…yet? I have work to do to accept this as my new reality. I know I will become an Artist again, maybe a writer predominantly. I know my writing/ Art will be Activism. I know even when I am a wife, my Queerness is forever a part of me. Here I will never be “Black”. Here I will never be an immigrant. There are some identities that are fading away, some that will re-emerge and some that are new. I am grateful for this time to work through these spiritual, emotional, mental and physical changes. I am grateful that I am aware of my identities changing. I am grateful I am not in full blown identity crisis mode. Instead I am leaning into this transition. I am excited to see who I will become on this side of the world. I am excited to be who I deserve to be. It has been a month of constant rain. Every afternoon and almost all night it rains. It was cool at first but now I am over it. The gray days are just …ughh. The cool weather while my pals are entering Summer szn is a bummer. I know this too will pass and the hot days will be back. I don’t know Kenyan szns that well, isn’t that funny? I remember when I moved to Canada and I didn’t know Canadian szn’z and now I am a seasoned pro. I know I will learn the Kenyan ones too over time. Organically. Seasons, change, transitions, evolution. It is always happening, sometimes more clearly than others. I am in a deep transition period. This too shall pass and another will come. LOL, cheers to being alive. Life is complex and I LOVE it. Truly. 

Life is Gøod. Evolution is Gøod. Change is God. I am God.

Ase. Ase. Ase. <3 <3 <3

[roamanddiscover]

Prince Edward Island

Welcome to Prince Edward Island, the smallest province in Canada and a hidden gem waiting to be explored. Our guide is designed to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the Island, from its rich history and unique geography to its vibrant culture and must-see attractions. So, whether you're a seasoned traveler or a first-time visitor, we invite you to discover all that Prince Edward Island has to offer. The name "Prince Edward Island" was given in honor of Prince Edward, Duke of Kent and Strathearn, who was the father of Queen Victoria. It was originally called Epekwitk, which means "resting on the waves," by the island's Indigenous population, the Mi'kmaq. European settlers arrived in the 18th century and the Island became a British colony in 1763. Since then, the Island has been a haven for immigrants—Acadians, Scots, and Irish— who were seeking new opportunities. The Island has a rich cultural heritage that dates back thousands of years. Evidence of Indigenous settlements has been found along the Island's coast, where archaeological sites have revealed the remains of hunting camps and fishing villages. The arrival of European settlers in the 18th century brought new cultures to the island, and conflicts between the British and French resulted in the Island switching hands throughout the centuries. Today, the Island has a strong sense of cultural preservation, with many historical sites and museums showcasing its diverse history. Prince Edward Island is characterised by its distinctive landscape, with its rolling hills, dense forests, and miles of red sand beaches. The Island owes much of its geography to the last ice age, which shaped the Island's central plains and hills. The Island is also home to rich soil that makes it perfect for farming and growing a diverse range of crops. Prince Edward Island is located in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, northeast of New Brunswick and north of Nova Scotia. It is Canada's smallest province, measuring just 5,660 square kilometres. The Island's coastline stretches for over 1,100 km, with many picturesque lighthouses and sleepy fishing villages dotted along the shore. The Island's interior is a mix of rolling hills, pastoral fields, and lush forests that are perfect for nature enthusiasts. The Island's natural environment is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna. The Island boasts an impressive variety of tree species, including the iconic red oak and white spruce. The Island is also a popular nesting site for the endangered Piping Plover—a small shorebird that resides on the Island's beaches. The Island is also home to a variety of mammals, such as raccoons, red foxes, and bats. For bird watchers and naturalists, the Island is a paradise. Prince Edward Island is home to a range of unique and threatened species. For example, the Island is one of the few remaining places in the world where the Redback Salamander can be found. The salamander is under threat due to habitat destruction and climate change. The Island's wildlife is carefully monitored by conservationists who work to ensure these species are protected for generations to come. The Island experiences a humid continental climate, with four distinct seasons. Summers are warm and sunny, with temperatures averaging around 25 degrees Celsius. Fall is a favourite time for many visitors, as the changing colours of the leaves paint the countryside in shades of red, orange, and gold. Winters can be cold and snowy, but charming in their own way. Spring is a wonderful time to visit the Island, with the arrival of migratory birds and wildflowers. Like many regions around the world, Prince Edward Island is facing a number of environmental challenges. Rising sea levels and increased storm activity due to climate change are having an impact on the Island's coastline. Overfishing is also a concern for the Island's fishing industry, with the sustainability of certain fish species in question. Efforts are underway to address these environmental challenges, including investing in renewable energy and sustainable fishing practices. The Island is governed by a mix of municipal, provincial, and federal governments, each with their own responsibilities and powers. The Island has a long tradition of political debate and citizen participation, with many Islanders active in politics and civic life. Prince Edward Island's economy is based on a mix of traditional industries such as fishing and farming, as well as newer industries such as tourism and aerospace. The Island is known for its high-quality seafood, including lobster and mussels, as well as its potatoes, which are used to make a variety of delicious dishes. The Island's tourism industry is also growing, with visitors flocking to the Island to enjoy its natural beauty, rich history, and vibrant culture. The Island is connected to the mainland by the Confederation Bridge and ferry services that operate year-round. The Island also has a strong transportation network, including a well-maintained highway system, airports, and public transit. The Island's energy infrastructure is largely based around hydro and wind power, making it a leader in sustainable energy practices. The Island is home to a number of world-class research institutions, including the BIOS Centre for Climate and Oceans. The centre works to understand the impacts of climate change on the oceans and coastal areas, and is a hub for scientific research and collaboration. Prince Edward Island has been home to a number of famous people throughout the centuries, including acclaimed author Lucy Maud Montgomery, who wrote the classic Anne of Green Gables novels. The Island is also known for producing talented athletes, such as NHL player Brad Richards. Prince Edward Island has a population of approximately 160,000 people. The majority of Islanders are of European descent, with smaller populations of Indigenous peoples, Asian Canadians, and African Canadians. The Island has a rich tapestry of ethnicities, with the Acadian and Mi'kmaq communities playing an important role in the Island's cultural heritage. The Island is also home to a number of Scottish and Irish communities, who have played a significant role in shaping the Island's history and traditions. The majority of Islanders are Christian, with Roman Catholicism and Protestantism being the two largest denominations. Both English and French are spoken on the Island, with English being the more dominant language. However, French is an important part of the Island's linguistic heritage and culture. The Island's healthcare system is publicly funded and provides care to all residents. The Island has a strong network of hospitals, clinics, and healthcare professionals who work together to ensure Islanders have access to high-quality healthcare. Prince Edward Island has a rich cultural heritage that is deeply ingrained in the Island's identity. Traditional music, dance, and art are celebrated throughout the Island, with many festivals and events held throughout the year. The Island is also famous for its culinary traditions, with a focus on fresh seafood, local produce, and craft beer. There are countless activities and experiences to be had on Prince Edward Island, from beachcombing and kayaking to exploring historical sites and cultural museums. Whether you're looking for an adventure, a relaxing escape, or something in between, the Island has something for everyone. While Prince Edward Island may be Canada's smallest province, it is home to a number of charming and picturesque cities and towns. Charlottetown, the Island's capital, is a bustling centre of culture and commerce. Other notable cities and towns include Summerside, Montague, and Souris, each with their own unique attractions and charm. With so many beautiful towns and cities on the Island, it can be hard to pick just one. However, some of the most picturesque places to visit include Victoria-by-the-Sea, a small village that boasts stunning sea views and quaint charm, and Rustico, a fishing village that is home to a beautiful lighthouse and miles of untouched coastline. Prince Edward Island is home to countless must-visit destinations, from historic sites such as the Green Gables Heritage Place to natural wonders such as Cavendish Beach. Other top attractions include the Anne of Green Gables Museum, the Confederation Centre of the Arts, and the Point Prim Lighthouse. Prince Edward Island is famous for its delicious seafood, including lobster, mussels, and oysters. The Island's culinary scene is also known for its focus on local and seasonal produce, with many restaurants and cafes sourcing their ingredients from nearby farms. The Island is also home to a thriving craft beer industry, with a number of local breweries offering unique and delicious brews. Prince Edward Island is easily accessible by air, with flights available from many major Canadian cities and beyond. The Island's main airport is the Charlottetown Airport, which is located just a short drive from the city centre. The Island has a range of accommodation options to suit any budget or travel style. From cozy cottages and campsites to luxury hotels and resorts, there's something for everyone on Prince Edward Island. Many accommodation options are located near major attractions and offer stunning views of the Island's natural beauty. Prince Edward Island has captured the hearts of visitors from around the world, and its impact on popular culture is undeniable. From the beloved Anne of Green Gables novels to the Island's reputation as a culinary destination, the Island has left an indelible mark on the world stage.

Etymology

Prince Edward Island's name has an interesting history that dates back to the colonial era. It was originally inhabited by the Mi'kmaq people, who called it Abegweit, meaning "cradle on the waves". The Island's name was later changed to Île Saint-Jean by the French, who colonized the Island in the mid-1700s. Shortly after, it was named St. John's Island by the British. In 1799, it was named Prince Edward Island in honor of Prince Edward, Duke of Kent and Strathearn, the father of Queen Victoria. The Island's history of settlement is reflected in its name changes over the centuries, with each culture leaving its mark on the Island's identity. Today, the Island is commonly referred to simply as PEI, a nod to its official initials. Interestingly, the Island has also been featured in literature and popular culture. Lucy Maud Montgomery's classic book, Anne of Green Gables, is set on Prince Edward Island and has helped to make the Island famous around the world. In addition, the Island has been used as a filming location for movies and TV shows, such as Road to Avonlea and The Shipping News, further cementing its place in popular culture.

History

Prince Edward Island has a long and storied history, dating back to the Indigenous peoples who first inhabited the Island. The Mi'kmaq were the first to settle the area, living off the land and sea for thousands of years. However, the arrival of European explorers and settlers brought significant changes to the Island's cultural landscape. French explorer Jacques Cartier first arrived in the area in 1534, but it wasn't until the late 1600s that the French established a permanent settlement on the Island. The French called the Island Île Saint-Jean, and for over a century, they developed a thriving fishing industry and established close ties with the Indigenous Mi'kmaq people. However, in 1758, British forces captured the Island from the French during the Seven Years' War. The British renamed it Prince Edward Island in honor of Prince Edward, the son of King George III. British colonization brought significant changes to the Island's social and economic makeup, with the establishment of a large plantation-style agricultural industry that relied heavily on the labor of Irish immigrants. The Island's economy continued to evolve over the next few centuries, with improvements in transportation and communication leading to growth in the fishing, forestry, and tourism industries. However, the Island's history has also been marked by challenges and adversity, including struggles over land ownership and political representation, and devastating natural disasters like the Great Gale of 1873. Today, Prince Edward Island is a thriving Canadian province with a rich cultural heritage and a vibrant economy. Its history can be seen throughout the Island in the form of historic buildings, museums, and cultural festivals. Visitors to the Island can learn about its past at sites like the Acadian Museum, the Eptek Art and Culture Centre, and the Green Gables Heritage Place, which is dedicated to the life and work of the beloved author Lucy Maud Montgomery. the Island's history is a testament to the resilience and adaptability of its people, who have overcome challenges and persevered through adversity to create a unique and vibrant culture.

Geology

Prince Edward Island, the smallest province in Canada, is a land of unique landscapes and geological features. The Island’s geology is shaped by its location in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, where the red sandstone cliffs and rolling hills have been formed over millions of years. One of the Island’s most notable geological features is its famous red sand beaches. The red sand is the result of iron oxide in the sandstone, giving the beaches a unique and striking appearance that draws visitors from around the world. The shoreline is constantly changing due to erosion and deposition, and has been shaped by the powerful forces of the sea and wind. The Island’s geology is also characterized by its many freshwater ponds and wetlands, as well as its peat bogs and grassy plains. These features are a result of millennia of glaciation, which also contributed to the creation of the many landforms found across the Island. One such landform is the rolling hills that dominate the central part of the Island. These hills were formed by the movement of glaciers and are made up of deposits of sediment and rock, including sandstone, shale, and limestone. The Island’s geology is important not just for its unique features, but also for its economic significance. The red sandstone found on the Island is used for many purposes, including building construction, aggregate, and as a decorative stone. the unique geology of Prince Edward Island is an important part of its identity and a source of both natural beauty and economic value.

Geography

Prince Edward Island is the smallest province in Canada, with an area of just 2,190 square miles. It is located in Eastern Canada, off the coast of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. The Island is connected to the mainland by the Confederation Bridge, which is the longest in the world that spans ice-covered water, and by ferry services. The Island's topography is characterized by rolling hills, forests, and stunning red-sand beaches. The landscape is dotted with lighthouses, fishing villages, and patchwork fields that are famous for their potatoes, which make up a significant part of the Island's agricultural industry. The Island is divided into three counties: Prince, Queens, and Kings. The capital city of Charlottetown is located in Queens County, while the other two counties are largely rural. One of the defining features of Prince Edward Island is its coastline, which stretches for over 1,100 miles and is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in Canada. The Island is famous for its red sand beaches, which are a result of the high concentration of iron oxide in the sand. The red sand beaches, combined with the Island's red soil, create a unique and stunning landscape. The Island's climate is heavily influenced by its location in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The summers are warm and humid, with temperatures averaging around 22°C (72°F). However, the winters can be harsh, with temperatures regularly dropping below freezing and snowfall accumulating throughout the season. Fall is a popular time to visit the Island, as the trees turn vibrant shades of red, orange, and yellow. Despite its small size, Prince Edward Island is a vibrant and thriving province with a rich cultural heritage and stunning natural scenery. Whether you're interested in exploring the Island's beaches, hiking trails, or charming towns and villages, there's something for everyone on this small but mighty Island.

Ecology

Prince Edward Island boasts a rich natural environment that is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna. The Island's ecology is shaped by its unique geography and climate, which create a range of habitats for species to thrive in. One of the most iconic aspects of Prince Edward Island's ecology is its coastline. The Island is surrounded by over 1,100 km of coastline, which provides important habitats for species such as Atlantic salmon and North Atlantic right whales. The red sand beaches, cliffs, and sand dunes that line the coast are also of great ecological significance, as they support a range of plant species that are adapted to the harsh coastal environment. The Island's interior is characterized by rolling hills, red clay soils, and extensive forests. These habitats provide important homes for a range of wildlife, including moose, beavers, and otters. The Island's forests are also home to a range of bird species, such as the woodpecker and the barred owl. Another important aspect of Prince Edward Island's ecology is its freshwater systems. The Island is home to over 800 freshwater lakes and ponds, which provide habitats for species such as brook trout and yellow perch. The Island's landscape has also been shaped by human activity, particularly agriculture. The Island is known for its red soil, which is formed from oxidized iron in the clay. The soil is extremely fertile, making it ideal for agriculture. However, intensive farming practices in the past have led to soil erosion and other environmental issues, such as pesticide and fertilizer contamination of water sources. Today, efforts are being made to protect Prince Edward Island's unique ecology. The Island has several protected areas, such as the Greenwich Dunes and the Murray Harbour No. 1 Wildlife Management Area, which provide important habitats for endangered species such as the Piping Plover and Redback Salamander. The Island's agriculture industry is also becoming more environmentally sustainable, with farmers adopting practices such as crop rotation and reduced pesticide use to protect the soil and water resources. Prince Edward Island's ecology is a precious resource that is worth protecting and celebrating. From its beautiful coastlines to its rolling hills and freshwater systems, the Island is home to a diverse range of species that are an important part of the Island's heritage and identity.

Biodiversity

Prince Edward Island is known for its beautiful natural scenery, which includes an abundance of unique and endangered species. The Island's biodiversity is a testament to its rich natural heritage, and it is home to many amazing creatures that are not found anywhere else in the world. Read the full article

[101now]

Poetry is often overlooked, but its contribution to society is invaluable

This is an Opinion piece written by Tanya Davis, a writer and interdisciplinary artist living in rural Epekwitk and P.E.I.’s new poet laureate. For more information about Opinion stories, see the FAQ. Growing up in a small town before the internet, I took some of my earliest assumptions about work and adulthood from illustrated children’s books. In the classic (and colonial and misogynistic)…

[kayla1993-world]

The Nature Conservancy of Canada has officially purchased an island off Western P.E.I. with the intention to transfer it to the Epekwitk Assembly of Councils four years from now. It's called Kwesawe'k (pronounced Gweh-sah-wehk) and is also known as Oulton's Island, located near Alberton in Cascumpec Bay. "This is a huge, huge thing for the Mi'kmaq people," said Lennox Island First Nations Chief Darlene Bernard, who is also the council's co-chair for action on reconciliation. The total project budget to purchase the island was a little over $1.3 million for colonies of great blue herons and double-crested cormorants, as well as bald eagles and squirrels, according to the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC). "We have learned that it is of great cultural significance to the P.E.I. Mi'kmaq," said Lanna Campbell, and the program director thought, "Well, if we can conserve this island, it should not be part of NCC's portfolio; we should transfer ownership for their care and stewardship." "Now, it's on to phase two: conserving the land together with the Mi'kmaq living on Abegweit to learn from each other," said Campbell. In this case, that means learning some of the environmental principles important to the Indigenous community. Examples of those concepts are netukulimk, meaning "only take what you need," and etuaptmumk, meaning "two-eyed seeing," which looks at ways to combine traditional and western strengths. "We have a shared history, and a lot of bad things happened," said Bernard of the First Nations, "but a lot of great things will happen together." "Chiefs, elders, and knowledge keepers—they say that there is no reconciliation without getting the land back; we are having the land back." "We're at the cusp of something new, a new age, a new time, but we do have to make sure we're doing it right and slowing it down a little bit and making sure everybody's voices are heard," she said. "As for Campbell, she hopes this inspires other organizations in the country to take similar action and needs us to work in partnership," said Campbell. "Nature doesn't need us to sort of be waving our own flags, and when we work together, that's when we can create really magical things." And come 2027, Bernard said, having the land transferred to the Epekwitk Assembly of Councils will be a moment she thinks would make her ancestors proud.

[abitmoredetail]

Epekwitk Assembly of Councils #princeedwardisland #charlottetown #waterstreet #epekwitk #mikmaq #indigenous (at Downtown Charlottetown) https://www.instagram.com/p/CTkEQ4Qgmu6/?utm_medium=tumblr

[househunting-canada]

$1,599,000

8 bedrooms

Charlottetown, PEI

Epekwitk, Mi’kmaw territory

[tankawanka]

The Seven Blades

“Ah! Hah! Again the prick, the stab of gadfly-sting!”from Prometheus Bound, Aeschylus You arrive on the IslandSeeking refugeIn the peace and quiet,But everywhere harboursThose who are out for blood,Too soon you encounterThe seven-bladedBite of the horseflyTwo Blades stretch the skin taut,One scrapes it raw,One slices it open,Two hold the wound apart,One goes in for the finalBlood-filled…

[tepkunset]

Ka’kwet; “an independent, resilient Mi'kmaw girl” on Anne with an E

What’s up Anne with an E fans! I admit I’ve never actually watched the show myself, but heard great things about it. Now that according to the media, season 3 will have a storyline about Indigenous rights, I just might have to!

As a Mi’kmaw person, I thought I’d offer a little bit of insight to fans going into Season 3!

Ka’kwet means starfish

K’s in the language are pronounced like G’s in English. As such, Ka’kwet is pronounced like gah-gwet, but with the T being more like a soft, almost inaudible D, like stopping the E short. (Grant it, accents exist in every language and some peoples are harder on the T’s.)

We know a tad bit about Dana Jeffrey’s character just by the fact that she is seen wearing that traditional peaked cap; she is respectable woman within the community.

What is today known as Prince Edward Island in English has been part of Mi’kma’ki for over 10 000 years. It is unceded territory.

In our language, PEI is known as Epekwitk, which means lying in the water. In legend, Kluskap, our cultural hero, placed Epekwitk in the water where he then slept on the beaches. That is where the name comes from.

Avonlea is, of course, a fictional village. But if we subscribe to the comparable real life location of Cavendish, then Avonlea would be nestled somewhere in the territory traditionally known as Pemamkiaq (long sand bar) and Keji-pukwek (The place where one is knowledge about the many shoals). Want to know more place names? Check out this map shared by the Mi’kmaq Confederacy of PEI!

Anne with an E takes place in the late 1890s. This is shortly after the Indian Act, meaning these characters are probably under a lot of pressure to give up their Mi’kmaq Treaty Rights in order to become Canadian citizens--and lets use that lightly, too. A tactic to force assimilation.

By this time also, reserves were cut away and sold piece by piece by the government. Many families did not stay on the tiny bits of reserves left, instead living in camps across PEI, and used the railways to travel and sell crafts door-to-door.

Anyway, can’t wait to see what Kiawenti:io Tarbell, Brandon Oakes and Dana Jeffrey do with their parts.