Population: March 23, 2005 - 501
Members between 0 and 12 – (Children) – 86
Members between 13 and 29 – (Youth) – 173
Members between 30 and 64 – (Adult) – 209
Members 65 and up – (Elders) - 33
Boundaries:
The Sple’tk Indian Band contains members in the
following communities:
- Grandfalls-Windsor
- Badger
- Bishops Falls
- Botwood
- Buchans
|
- Leading Tickle
- Miller Town
- Northern Arm
- Peterview
- Point Lemington
|
Introduction:
Sple’tk – in the Mi’kmaq language it means Exploits,
which is the river that runs through many of the communities represented by
the organization. The organization was formed In March of 1989, and in July
of that same year it became affiliated with the Federation of Newfoundland
Indians. At the time, however, it was called Exploits Indian Band Council;
the name was changed to Sple’tk First Nations in 2003. The association was
formed with the following mission, mandate and objectives:
Mission
To ensure that the Mi’kmaq people in Central
Newfoundland has a forum where their voice can be united in the attempt to
have an effect in the processes and policies that will affect them. To
further ensure that the Mi’kmaq people of Central Newfoundland benefit from
the programs and services granted to other Native people in Canada.
Mandate
To advocate, represent, and develop the social,
cultural, economic, and educational well-being of the Mi’kmaq people of
Central Newfoundland.
Objectives
Ř
To provide its membership
with realistic options and opportunities when it comes to education and
employment
Ř
To act as a liaison between
band members and the Federation of Newfoundland Indians
Ř
To revitalize and improve the
standards of living including health and housing for its members
Ř
To promote, encourage, and
preserve the Mi’kmaq culture, language and traditions
Ř
To facilitate the development
of Wigwam Point, Peterview
Since its inception in 1989, the Sple’tk First Nations
has acquired and administered several programs and services in attempts to
better the well being of its members. These programs are educational,
economical, and cultural in nature. Through the Federation of Newfoundland
Indians our people are able to access other programs and services in the
areas of education, employment, and diabetes to mention a few.
Economics
Labour Market Research Project:
In January of 2005, the Sple’tk First Nations acquired
a project through Human Resources and Skills Development Canada to conduct
research on the local labour market as it relates to our members. The
information collected will benefit our members by giving them realistic
options when considering training and employment opportunities.
All members will receive a reference guide regarding
all the project’s findings in the mail sometime in August/September.
Wigwam Point:
Wigwam Point, Peterview during the Land Initiations Ceremony
on July 16, 2003.
Wigwam Point is a piece of land located in Peterview,
NL and was used by our ancestors during the summer months as a fishing
ground. In past century, however, it has become a popular area for Mi’kmaq
and non-Mi’kmaq families to gather and collect berries, fish, and have
picnics. Mr. Gerald Beaton, whose family (the Paul’s) had originally owned
the land, presented it to the Sple’tk First Nations in 2003 in order to
preserve its heritage.
Each year we hold a celebration of traditional
drumming, dancing, signing, and feasting on the grounds in honor of our
people – both past and present.
It is the intention of the Sple’tk First Nations to
develop this area in a manner most respectful to our ancestors. We plan to
construct an interpretation center somewhere in the location that would
portray information about the Mi’kmaq, Beothuck, and Europeans who inhabited
the Bay of Exploits. In attempts to advance this process we have hired an
individual under a Job Creation Project through Human Resources and Skills
Development Canada. This individual is conducting historical and marketing
research regarding the concepts behind Wigwam Point.
Band Activities
Exploits Native Drumming and Dancing Group
In attempts to preserve our culture and traditions, the
Sple’tk First Nations and Exploits Native Women’s Association has
established a drumming and dancing group. This has enabled youth and Elders
to regain and learn traditional Mi’kmaq songs and chants. This group, which
contains approximately 15 people, is invited to many public events where
they promote and increase public understanding of the Mi’kmaq culture.
Aboriginal
Day
The 2003 Aboriginal Day celebrations gathered
quite a crowd, 70 - 80 people showed up to the Grand Falls-Windsor Arts and
Culture Center and then to the Mary Marche Museum. The Exploits Native dancers
performed traditional Mi’kmaq dancing; singing and chanting including the honor
song, feast song, round dance and going away song. The dancers also hosted a
traditional Mi'kmaq feast with bear, moose, beaver, caribou, salmon, trout and
assorted berries.
Next year we are hoping to expand on the day’s
content and make it a day for all to remember.
Wigwam
Point, “Our Land, Our Heritage.”
Over the past year, the Exploits (Sple’tk) Indian band
council has been working towards obtaining the traditional and historically
significant land of Wigwam Point in Peterview, NL. Mr. Gerald Beaton, a member
of the Sple’tk Council and life-long resident of Wigwam Point, signed the land
over to the EIBC on July 16, 2003. His two sisters, Elizabeth Keefe and Shirley
O'Reilly who witnessed the document, accompanied him.
This day marked a significant point in time for the Mi’kmaq
people and was commemorated by a family fun day, BBQ and traditional Mi’kmaq
dancing, chanting and singing. Approximately 150-200 people attended the event
and participated in a scavenger hunt, hack-sack race and root beer chug-a-lug.
A big Welal’in goes out to Blue Bouy Foods LTD of
Lewisporte and B&W Meat Market, Sobeys, Dominion, Grand Falls-Windsor Co-op,
Browning Harvey and Canada Bread (all from Grand Falls-Windsor) for their
sponsorship!
It is the intention of the EIBC to develop this land by
first undertaking an archaeological dig, then constructing an interpretation
center that will honor our Mi’kmaq ancestors, the Beothuck and European settlers
of the area. The development process is stretched over a five-year period and we
are currently seeking funding through various government sources that will
enable us to proceed.
 Mr. Gerald Beaton with some members of the
Exploits Native Band Council, signing over the land at Wigwam Point.
Native
Women’s Association
Aboriginal women from across the Island gathered together on
September 25th and 26th, 2004, for a retreat organized by the Exploit’s Native
Women’s Association and funded by Heritage Canada.
The purpose of the gathering was to bring aboriginal women
together to experience the Mi'kmaq culture, in the hopes that they will return
to their areas to form native women’s associations of their own.
The first gathering was held in September of 2003 and at
that time the only organized regional group was the Exploits Native Women’s
Association. As a result of the first gathering, three new organizations were
formed over the last year. The Corner Brook Aboriginal Women’s Association, The
Indian Head Mi'kmaq Women’s Association and the Benoit's Cove Native Women’s
Association have set up groups to help promote their culture and help improve
awareness of the Mi'kmaq People.
During the weekend the group also formed a Provincial
Native Women’s Organization in order to communicate with the National Women’s
Association of Canada (NWAC). It was decided then that a prechair would be put
in place in order to start the ball rolling and have someone make contact with
NWAC. Gwen Campbell was elected prechair for the organization.
During the weekend other women decided that they will be
going back to their respective areas to form regional native women’s groups of
their own.
The entire weekend was filled with aboriginal ceremonies,
drumming, dancing and singing. The women learned about cultural rituals and
enjoyed talking circles and sweetgrass ceremonies performed by Victor Muise.
They also learned how to do beadwork and created their own pair of beaded
earrings.The gathering was a huge success and ended with closing prayers and a
display by the Exploits Native Drummers and Dancers.
Marie Eastman,
President of the Exploits Native Women’s Association speaking to the women at
one of the sessions held during the weekend
Aboriginal
Cultural Rejuvenation Retreat
The Exploits Native Women's Association held an Aboriginal
Cultural Rejuvenation retreat at the Twin Pond Camps in Glenwood over the
weekend of September 19-21, 2003.
Women from the nine Federation of Newfoundland Indian bands
were invited to attend the three day event which included spiritual and cultural
ceremonies as well as teaching the women native crafts, dances, songs plus much
more.
The purpose of the event was to help the women become more
spiritually and culturally aware of their Mi’kmaq ancestry and to help them pass
this information on to their bands and families.
The event was an amazing success as women gathered for
sweet grass ceremonies, talking circles, dancing and chanting as well as
crafting where the women were taught how to make medicine wheels and tobacco
bundles.
The women, who were thankful for the seminar, praised
organizer for the event, Bernadette Hanlon, on many occasions during the
weekend.
All the women seemed quite pleased with the weekend and
before the closing several women got together to exchange email addresses in
order to keep in touch and to try and start native women's groups in their own
communities.
Women from the nine FNI bands were invited to the Aboriginal Cultural
Rejuvenation retreat at the Twin Pond Camps in Glenwood. Presentations were
delivered by Misel Joe of Conne River, Victor Muise of St. George’s and Harold
Hiscock
Aboriginal
Awareness Day
The Sple’tk
Native dancers and drummers during the aboriginal awareness day held in Corner
Brook at the Sir Wilfred Grenfell College.
Youth/Elders:
For a few years now a youth committee has been established
under the Sple’tk First Nations. This group of motivated youth undertakes
fundraisers in support of various cultural activities. In the past two years
they have attended many cultural events such as the Conne River powwow. This
year, however, they have plans to travel to PEI to attend a powwow, all on the
monies raised through fundraisers. The youth committee comprises of the
following individuals:
| Adrienne Paul |
Point Leamington |
| Daniel Young |
Badger |
| Shauna Guy |
Grand Falls-Windsor |
| Olivia Paul |
Point Leamington |
| Monica Barrington |
Badger |
| Randy Drover |
Bishop’s Falls |
If you are interested in becoming a member of this
committee, contact the office at the below address.
The Sple’tk First Nations has nothing but the highest
regard for the Elders of our communities. Each year, in partnership with the
Exploits Native Women’s Association, a large feast and give-a-way is held for
them – in their honor. This is a tradition that has been ongoing for
approximately 6 years, and will continue into the foreseeable future.
Council:
| Nellie Power (Chief) |
Address: |
Grand Falls-Windsor |
| Ignatius Paul (Vice Chief) |
Address: |
Badger |
| Bernie Hanlom (Secretary / Treasurer) |
Address: |
Grand Falls-Windsor |
| Terry Mills (Director) |
Address: |
Botwood |
| Anne Higgins (Director) |
Address: |
Grand Falls-Windsor |
| Margaret Humber |
Address: |
Grand Falls-Windsor |
| Randy Drover (Youth Representative) |
Address: |
Bishop’s Falls |
You can contact the Executive or Board members through the
following address:
134 Main Street
Grand Falls-Windsor, NL
A2B 1J8
Phone: 709 489
8425
 |
