​Leo Hayes High School students gathered in the gymnasium for two separate assemblies on May 18 to celebrate the school's annual Aboriginal Awareness Day.

Students from St. Mary's First Nation led the activities which opened with drumming and songs performed by the Muskrat Singers. Elder Maggie Paul delivered a prayer in the Maliseet language before joining the Sisters of the Drum in bringing more music and song to the audience.  Montana Bear also performed a shawl dance about a butterfly flitting from flower to flower. 

St. Mary's First Nation Councillor Allan Junior Polchies encouraged all the students to enjoy the celebration as they listened to the stories and songs of the Wabanaki people. He also invited the students to the community's next Pow-Wow on June 15-17. 

"Diversity is the key to success of all our generations going forward," Polchies said. "Be kind to yourself and be kind to others."  

Guest speaker Nipahtuwet Naka Wespahtuwet Possesom (Paul), an experienced First Nations dancer, told the students Leo Hayes High School is located within traditional Maliseet territory known as Wolastoq, the Maliseet name for the St. John River.  Wolastoq means "Beautiful River" and "Wolastoqiyik" means "People of the Beautiful River."  He then invited all Grade 12 students to the gym floor for a dance to celebrate their graduation. In his remarks, he told the audience about the history and culture of First Nations in New Brunswick and let students know a traditional feast would be taking place during noon hour.

"This is one of our most important assemblies of the year," Principal Brad Sturgeon explained. "It is a celebration of our shared cultural community."

Student emcee Cole Hatty presented her own art work to teachers and special guests in attendance. During the event, she also explained the significance of the Red Shawl Campaign honouring indigenous women in Canada who are reported missing or have been murdered in the last 30 years. The Red Shawl is a symbol of protection and this is what a young girl earns in her footsteps to becoming a woman, Hatty noted.

The audience also heard about the Moose Hide Campaign led by indigenous and non-indigenous men and boys who are standing up against violence towards women and children.

Today within New Brunswick, approximately 3,000 Maliseet live within the Madawaska​, Tobique, Woodstock, Kingsclear, St. Mary's and Oromocto First Nations.​

Shown in the photo on the front page is Montana Bear performing the Shawl Dance. Shown in the photos below are (left to right) Sylvia Paul, Krista Paul, Maggie Paul and Cole Hatty performing as members of the Sisters of the Drum; and Montana Bear and Possesom Paul leading a group dance with Leo Hayes High School students.