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| Wagmatcook School
Grade 5 & 6 Class Principal: Fred Matthews
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Participants:
Doreen Richard (teacher) Joshua Peck Kristen Googoo Trevor Isadore Melissa Peck Sharon Peck Madonna Francis Cornelia Peck |
Erin Anne Isadore Taraneh Pierro Justin Peck Michelle Bernard Helen Bernard Evan Googoo Cory Googoo Ashley Bernard |
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Items to be placed in the Time Capsule and the reasons why each item was chosen.
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| 1) Dream Catcher | The Dream Catcher is an important part of our belief system that is represented in Native Legends. |
| 2) Medicine Wheel | The Medicine wheel is used for healing and heals our spiritual, physical, emotional and mental needs. |
| 3) Sacred Colours | An explanation of our colours, which can be incorporated into both the dream catcher and medicine wheel together, will explain the division of four in our culture. These divisions will include the directions (N.S.E.W.), sacred animals, stages of life, times of day, seasons and sacred elements, explaining that each one falls within its own colour. In our lives, when everything turns clockwise and we pray that way we will create harmony in our lives. |
| 4) Bible | Our cultural aspect of religion can be well represented through the Bible which is now written in both our mother tongue and in the English language. As well, we feel that the Lord's Prayer represented in hieroglyphics is a great representation of the fact that our Native people did have their own form of communication before European contact. |
| 5) Treaties | There are number of treaties that we feel should be included as they are an important part of who we are today. Our ancestors were given things in exchange for land and were quickly taken away. Also, information about the Donald Marshall Jr. cases should be included. |
| 6) Music | Music is a very important part of our culture and there is never a gathering without the sound of drums and chants. Hearing the drums makes us feel proud of who we are. Music is also a great way to represent the pronunciation of our language. |
| 7) Pictures | Pictures bring things to life. We think pictures of our reserve, class and the school are important aspects of this time capsule as they will reflect the growth and cultural progress of our community. |
| 8) Recipes | Food also is important as we have many feasts in our culture. Gatherings are our way to share, heal and grow from the inside out. What better way to grow than with a feed of eels, deer, moose, 4-cents cake, salmon and a strong cup of tea? When someone comes to visit, we offer them tea and something to eat. That is part of our sharing. |
| 9) Flags | There are two flags that we feel should be represented in this project:
1. The Grand Council Flag which recognizes the alliances and doctrines of the Santool Mawiomi and the Grand Council of the Mi'kmaq Nation. 2. Mi'kmaq Nation Flag which is a symbol of our agreements between the Roman Catholic Church and the Grand Council along with the crest moon which joins them. |
| 10) Wampum Belt | A symbol of our treaties and agreements between various officials. These wampum belts tell stories and are one of the greatest story tellers of all time. |
| 11) Sweet Grass | Sweet grass is our cultural representation of the hair of Mother Earth. It is very important for ceremonial purposes. It is used for purification during prayers. It is very important to let people know that when sweet grass is picked, you must always burn some tobacco at the spot as an offering of thanks. When you take something from the earth you must always give something back. |
| 12) Sacred Plants | Plants from our earth have always been very predominant within our spiritual culture. The four sacred plants are sweet grass, sage, cedar and tobacco. These are carried in a medicine pouch and used for smudging and healing. |