The Mi’kmaq Confederacy of PEI celebrated National Aboriginal Day on June 21 at the Shipyard Market in Summerside this year. Tabatha Bernard and Sheri Bernard were the Masters of Ceremonies and made the day run smoothly with their witty back and forth dialogue throughout the day. The Ceremony started with Elder Becky Sark providing the opening prayer and smudge. Gilbert Sark and the New Generation Singers came from Lennox Island and started the drumming and dancing with the Honour Song. Gerard Greenan, MLA for Summerside started the speeches followed by Chief Darlene Bernard and Chief Brian Francis.
Chief Darlene announced that this was her first function as the newly reelected Chief of Lennox Island. Mi’kmaq Thunder were also at the event and with the lead of Cory Googoo they helped drum for the dancers for the day. The Grass Dancers for the event were Dion Bernard and Schurman Peters who started off the dancing for the day. Their skill and energy were a welcome addition to the event!
The Traditional Women’s dancers were Megan Jadis, Britt Lush, Mary Jane Bernard and Patty Peters. Barbara Smith came and joined them for a dance as well. There was one Fancy Shawl dancer there and that was a new dancer Rosalie Bourque. “I practiced a lot”, she said at the beginning of the day.
After a lunch of hotdogs, chips and pop, Peter Joe Bernard and his son Keegan came up to the stage and played four amazing songs on their guitars. Peter Joe had just bought Keegan his brand new guitar, so it was a pretty special day for his little boy! Roseanne Sark and Matilda Ramjattan sang a beautiful song to the Eagle and cake was served by the staff of MCPEI with the wonderful assistance of Georgina Francis. Closing prayer was provided by Becky Sark. The day was full of drumming dancing, singing, face painting and crafters. The staff of MCPEI hopes to see you all there again next year and thanks everyone for making it such a successful day.