Mi'kmaq Studies working Group hold exploratory meeting
Re: Mi’kmaq Studies Program at Memorial University/Grenfell College
As part of the Benoit First Nation Strategic Planning on Education, I meet with Dr. Holly Pike, Vice-Principal, and Dr. Wade Bowers, Associate Vice-Principal, Research, Sir Wilfred Grenfell College, Memorial University of Newfoundland on April 7, 2006, to discuss the possibility of the university offering a course of studies on the Newfoundland Mi’kmaq. Currently there are no courses offered at the university. There is plenty of written and oral information available, however, it is not written to the standards required by the university. Dr. Bowers wrote; “Our interest is high but our primary consideration is that any academic course(s) in Mi’kmaq studies we might offer must be of high quality – one that will do justice to the Mi’kmaq people”.
As a result of our first meeting, the two professors and I meet at the College of the North Atlantic, in Stephenville on Saturday, May 6th, with a group of Mi’kmaq people interested in seeing this program moving forward. Chief Jasen Benoit and I had previously agreed this program should be community driven rather than band driven, because it will benefit all our people. There was excellent discussion at the meeting and everyone agreed we should proceed with this program. We are currently planning another meeting, possible in August, to put together a Steering Committee who will work with the university in finding funding, and planning research. All Mi'kmaq Groups of the St. George's Bay area will be contacted to participate in the process.
Also, we hope to have Dr. Henry Mann, a Botanist, from Grenfell do a workshop/field trip sometime in August to identify possible SWEETGRASS sites around the Bay St. George Area. Anyone knowing of such an area contact Jasen, or a member of our band council. Minutes from the Stephenville meeting were taken by Dr. Holly Pike and when I receive them, they will be posted.
Ron Jesseau, Vice-Chief, Benoit First Nation
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