Mi’kmaq Burial Grounds Research & Restoration Association

[apukjij]

can anyone help identify this Ellen Hunt, president of the Mi’kmaq Burial Grounds Research & Restoration Association  obviously a "acadian-micmac-metis" who is passing her self off as a Mi'kmaq Elder and recieving funds from an unsuppecting municipal representative for a acadian-micmac festival featuring:" arts and crafts demonstrations, storytelling, workshops, Mi'Kmaq spiritual ceremonies and traditional music". shouldnt that money go to burial restoration and research projects?" nobody i know seems to know of her.
http://www.geraldkeddy.ca/EN/4734/93688
http://southshorenow.ca/newsnowclips/play.php?vid=806

[educatedindian]

Found this on her.

It's also worth noting the others she's presenting with all seem to be pretenders, dubious characters, or in some cases likely self deluded. There's a follower of Diane Fisher/Dhyani Yawahoo, another of Harner's, a white woman claiming to speak for an African tradition and so on.

---------------------
http://www.shamanicconference2009.org/
Ellen Hunt was born and raised in Bay d’ Espoir, NL. She moved to Lunenburg County, NS in 1977. She is married with a daughter and a son. She is a grandmother of two beautiful boys.

Nine years ago while enjoying a picnic on a special island off Riverport,
NS, she received a calling from the Spirit World. Following this calling and
teachings from Elder Charlie Labrador and Elder Rose Morris, Ellen took up the practices of Mi’kmaq ceremonies and traditions. She is very proud of her culture and heritage, shares with others, and is open to new learning with other cultures and traditions. She has been chosen to represent the Mi’kmaq as Elder in the community. She is chosen by the Spirit World to be protector of our ancestors and was given the Ancestor Bundle at a Give Away Ceremony in Gold River.

Ellen is the founder and president of the Mi’kmaq Burial Ground Research and Restoration Association. The mandate of this association is to work with land owners to research, protect and restore abandoned/ancient Mi’kmaq or Mi’kmaq mixed i.e.: Acadian, Irish, English burial sites. To date, the association has restored, erected and dedicated monuments in Bridgewater, Petite Riviere and Indian Point, Lunenburg County,NS. She also travels to Micous Island in St. Margaret’s Bay to work with youth.

Ellen is founder and coordinator of the Annual Mi’kmaq/Acadian Festival at Fort Point, Lahave. It is held the third weekend in August, (festival dates this year, August 21 &22). During the festival, she conducts ceremonies at the ancient burial site in Petite Riviere.

A Board Director and Mi’kmaq representative to the Lunenburg County Historical Society, Ellen designed the Mi’kmaq Village, artifact display and Mi’kmaq Resource Library at Fort Point Museum in Lahave, NS, and assisted with the Mi’kmaq Fisheries display at the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic.

Ellen is writing a book ” All About Granny” in which she shares stories of her childhood and culture.

-------------

This is her organization's facebook page.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mikmaq-Burial-Grounds-Research-and-Restoration-Association/111761437644

There's also some links about the work the group did on a monument and with museums.
Article by her.
http://www.danielnpaul.com/Mi'kmaqBurialGround.html

An article on her has her wearing an interesting hat. Can anyone tell me what's that from?
http://lahaverivercampground.blogspot.com/2009/07/ellen-makes-news-again.html

[critter]

Whenever someone tells me they've been 'chosen by the spirit world' I have immediate doubts.  I don't believe the "spirit world" is going around choosing people for this or that. "People" choose this or that to do, that is my belief.  Especially when it's a 'self made' interpretation. 

Whatever (or even 'if') the spirit world pointed something out to her, a direction, perhaps, it is a far cry from saying you were 'chosen by the spirit world'.  I don't know if she is what she says, and for all I know her work is good, and everyone is happy with what she is doing.  But in my belief, "she" is the one who chose what to do. 

I understand (or maybe not) that some people's may have directions for life pointed out to them, but those 'signs' or 'indications' are usually, probably always, interpreted by someone else.  Self interpretation to me, is self proclamation.  And it's something I just don't like, and I end up with immediate doubt.

Someone once said to me, in terms of the topic of 'chosen ones' that it is we who choose ourselves.

[uktena]

It's beginning to look like they need to reconsider an old saying.  It isn't "many are chosen, though few are called", it's the other way around.   

[dabosijigwokush]

another pay to pray
and there prices??

[apukjij]

ya, the shamanic conference costs over a 1000$ to attend, and the sweatlodge featured is poor timing considering sedona, im going to dig into this further.

[Kathryn NicDhàna]

I see Caitlin Matthews, an Englishwoman, is one of the headliners at that "shamanic" conference. She and her husband, John Matthews, are two of the main people to blame for the "Celtic Shamanism" frauds out there. They set the trend for white people ripping off NDNs and trying to cover their trail by calling it "Celtic". They have been discussed a couple times on here before:

* http://www.newagefraud.org/smf/index.php?topic=280.msg13865#msg13865  
* http://www.newagefraud.org/smf/index.php?topic=1476.msg8942#msg8942

While some of their initial writings on matters Celtic weren't too bad, some time in the nineties they started doing fake Inipis and calling them by misapplied Gaelic terms, and tacking incorrect names from various Celtic languages onto Harner Core Shamanism. Their work progressively contained more and more misinformation about Celtic beliefs and practices, and more of their fantasies presented as tradition. The white people ate it up, and it's still wreaking havoc among the gullible.

This PDF gives fees for the various workshops and ceremonies they sell. You can pay them thousands of dollars for Core Shamanism (with Celtique/Indianer Dressing!), or Spiritual Tourism to Egypt. Who knew the Celts worshiped Egyptian Deities? (Uh, they didn't, but we're talking English imperialists here, not Celts.) If you're only feeling like spending hundreds, they also offer tarot readings and pay-to-pray get-togethers: http://www.hallowquest.org.uk/pdfs/Courses%20from%20Caitlin%20and%20John%20Matthews.pdf

[apukjij]

hi all, i did recieve a response to the many emails i sent out in Mi'kmaq country about this group. It is from Charlie Labrador's grandaughter, as they are using his name to justify themselves:
    "I know who many of those ladies are. I am ever surprised that they still carry out the things they do. Very things that upset my Grandfather, and even though he had a hard time to say no, he asked many of them to not return to his gathering.
How all they have done hasn't caught up to them yet and stop those women, I'll never know.

It's unfortunate that people continue to use my Grandfather, Charlie's name. My Grandfather raise me from birth. I lived with him until he died. He never taught people how to become a "healer" or a "shaman". Yet people "assume" that if my Grandfather spoke two words to them, boy oh boy, they are now great elder teacher-healers-etc.

That's the very reason I keep a low-profile and I do my own thing that is both respectful to first all myself, and secondly Mother Earth, and I try to avoid those looking for profit for teaching our "sacred ways".

The definition of Mi'kmaq Elder---its too loosely given out and I honestly don't think you even need to be "Mi'kmaq"... Or so it seems you don't.

My Grandfather believe in teaching our ways, ONLY to the right people. Teaching understanding of our culture does not mean teaching of our ways. He was protective of the important ceremonies and only passed them on to his blood. But apparently people assumed--and their egos grew.

I guess that's my rant for the year."

because she wants to keep a low profile, i will only release her email address and her name to an administrator if they need it, thanks again for all your efforts in bringing these frauds to light.

[apukjij]

hi, and to answer your question Al, she is wearing a Traditional Mi'kmaq Peaked Cap, worn by the People for generations...

[clanmother]

article recently posted in south shore newspaper:

Sacred grounds?
Mi'kmaq want playground equipment removed from park
by Robert Hirtle


 LUNENBURG - The Mi'kmaq Burial Ground Research and Restoration Association has asked the Town of Lunenburg to remove the playground equipment from 250th Anniversary Park and assist in erecting a monument marking the site as a Mi'kmaq burial ground.
 The park, which was built in 2002 in honour of the 250th anniversary of the arrival of the foreign Protestants at a cost of $85,000, is located on a two-acre parcel of land which lies between the fire hall and the French cemetery.

 Along with a playground, the site also includes a Mi'kmaq interpretative and water conservation garden, a fountain and a stage for live performances.

 Association president Ellen Hunt brought the group's request to council's October 27 meeting, following up on a September letter to council in which the group identified the site as a burial ground "through oral history."

 "We often see feathers tied in the trees at this location. It has been disturbed many times, with the trail, the fire hall and the train station. However to prevent further destruction, we would like to erect a monument at the site," Ms Hunt wrote. "We don't feel it's appropriate to have the children's playground located here, so we would like for the town to please remove it."

 The letter also stated that the plants in the Mi'kmaq garden are in need of care and the association would like to see them upgraded "with the town's support."

 Ms Hunt was joined at council by five other members of the association, including Laurie Lacey who was involved in the original development of the existing garden.

 During her presentation, Ms Hunt told council the association has 65 burial sites listed in their database, and Lunenburg is included in that list.

 "I have researched the site in Lunenburg from various sources, and was told by an elderly resident of Lunenburg whose husband was a grave taker while living in the … Town of Lunenburg that the Mi'kmaq gravesite was between the French cemetery and the Lunenburg fire hall, including the trail that runs by the shore," she said.

 Ms Hunt told council that she has the ability to pick up energy when she walks through a Mi'kmaq burial site, "and the energy in this area is very powerful and it directs me to where the burial site is located."

 She also said that fellow association member Dan Pittman had a vision of skeletons while sitting on the ground there in 1984.

 "We can't do anything with the past, we learn from it and move on. However, we can update what the town has already done to the area," she said. "It's part of the town's heritage, Nova Scotia and Canada."

 During council discussion on the request, Councillor Jamie Myra pointed out that the park was built with a "substantial" grant from other levels of government and questioned whether, for that reason, the site would have to remain a park.

 "There's also a lot of people who think that park is beautiful, and use it for Canada Day events and other things," he said. "I think we have to have some facts somewhere that we can find … and documentation in the archives of where the actual burial site was, or close proximity, more so than what we've heard here tonight. I certainly am not convinced that right where that playground area is, is where [they're] buried."

 Town staff indicated to council that forensic testing performed by the RCMP in the area of the park before it was erected indicated no presence of human remains on the site, only within the confines of the adjacent French cemetery.

 "The soil outside the cordoned-off cemetery was so disturbed, they couldn't determine anything," said deputy town manager Peter Haughn, adding that the area had been "torn up" by the Canadian National Railway a number of years ago.

 While Councillor John McGee said he did not object to the erection of a monument on the site, he does oppose the town having to make a financial contribution toward it and believes the present park should not be disturbed based on the evidence of the existence of the burial ground that was presented to council by the association.

 "Being the cynic that I am, I certainly would like to see something more concrete than somebody having visions or their knee acting up when they walk over it," he said.

 Council agreed to have staff research their own files on the history of the area, as well as check with other government departments which may have information on the area before proceeding further on the matter.

 "We're going to try and firmly establish what was there and where it was located," Mayor Laurence Mawhinney said. "And we've asked the Mi'kmaq elders to come forward with a schematic as to what they would like for the area."

 He said it will likely take some time to gather all the facts, do an evaluation and "then determine, with the Mi'kmaq elders, what is the most appropriate way to recognize those earlier ancestors."


http://www.southshorenow.ca/archives/2009/110309/news/index015.php

[clanmother]

          ---------------------------------------------------------------- SMOKE SIGNAL ------------------------------------------------------------

I received word through the Moccassin Telegraph that Ellen Hunt tested DNA European, Haplogroup "H". She has no genealogical records indicating Aboriginal Ancestry as she has been denied application for INAC Status by the Federation of Newfoundland Indians. If I was going around disturbing the Whiteman making these claims as a proven Amerindian DNA Woman with INAC Status the 13 Nova Scotia Indian & Northern affairs Canada Chiefs would take it upon themselves to contact government & the media about any legitimate claims which I have made in the past to discredit me.  

Daniel Paul deals with this non-proven "Mi'kmaq" from Nfld as he sits on a Mi'kmaq Burial Restoration Board registered with Nova Scotia Registry of Joint Stocks & they receive funding from government agencies when the True Mi'kmaq remain in a state of anomie which results in alcoholism & suicide amongst our Tribe - the Mi'kmaq.

My Mother born 1924 in a Wigwam at an Indian Encampment , seen upward of 1,000 moon, has never received 10 cents or a Fishcake for being Mi'kmaq. I had my mtDNA tested at Family Tree Laboratory in Houston, Texas and the scientist say that the women I stem from - Haplogroup "C" - walked this Land for at least 40,000 years and possibly in excess of 100,000 years. We survived on a " Maritime Diet & Pristine Water ". I have an exact mtDNA match to Demasduit - aka: Mary March - Beothuk - The Ancient Ones of the Mi'kmaq. Dr. Frank Speck recorded in the book: Indian Notes And Monographs - Beothuk And MicMac - A Series Of Publications Relating To The American Aborigines - that my Grandfather's Mother was Santu - Daughter of Kop. Powerful Bloodlines, eh?

We do not get Wampum or Treaty Money or to sit on Boards or Councils and I am a Registered Indian on the INAC General List - Atlantic Region.  I feel great honor to do the job for free as I exercise Mi'kmaq Sovereignty throughout our Ancestral Lands and I have no agreements with any Whiteman government. I'm the Real deal!

The woman was born out of province & making false claims which reflect on the integrity & honor of the MicMac whom must co-exist on this land with others. Native Council of Nova Scotia are riddled with this type of false representation. The Chiefs must be made aware of this outside intrusion to Mi'kma'ki. If they all claim to be leaders - then they should Clean It Up! I intend on raising this issue at a public forum in the near future about what the Made in Nova Scotia Land Claims Settlements Process is really conducting it's business format and to with whom the Tri-partite are involved.

We, The Mi'kmaq Women residing throughout Traditional Mi'kmaq Territory have to live amongst the British and Ms. Hunt's free ride is nothing but short of a mockery of our people, whom are continually suffering hardships to this day in our struggle to survive in our Ancestral Homeland of Mi'kma'ki. This woman, whom was born elsewhere, has taken it upon herself to act in an official capacity as an authority on Tribal matters which she has no legal right to do so. This type of behaviour and deceit reflects on the entire Mi'kmaq Nation.

This is my Traditional Role as an Alkonquian Mi'kmaq Clan Mother. Hope this Smoke Signal reaches your Camp in Good Spirit!


Nova Scotia Registry of Joint Stocks Link: http://www.gov.ns.ca/snsmr/rjsc/

Click on Search our Database & then Accept Terms and type: MI'KMAQ BURIAL GROUNDS RESEARCH AND RESTORATION ASSOCIATION

Happy Hunting ...

[clanmother]

    -------------------------------------------------------------  TRICK OR TREATY  --------------------------------------------------------------

The time has come for the Provincial Government to stop turning a blind eye to the creation of Mickey Mouse Organizations and other Splinter Groups and stepped up to the plate and cleaned up these get rich quick schemes! But, they continue to remain silent because if the government rocked the boat it may interfere with their true agenda to usurp Aboriginal Title from the Mi'kmaq Nation. The Honor of the Crown which is at Stake in it's Dealings with Aboriginal People has not been upheld and, therefore the Sacred Trust-Like Relationship has been Broken between the Crown and Her Majesty's Allies! The Mi'kmaq Land Claims & Treaty Settlement negotiations presently taking place within the Made in Nova Scotia Process Tri-Partite I conclude to be that all Talks are being executed under a False Guise by accepting non-status strangers born in other provinces & residing in other countries whom identfy as NS Mi'kmaq Representatives. Trick or Treaty! You the reader ... can decide?

[clanmother]

     -------------------------------------------------------------  Moccassin Telegraph  -----------------------------------------------------------

THIS IS ONE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR THE MI'KMAQ BURIAL RESEARCH AND RESTORATION ASSOCIATION - AMAND DEGRENIER


As copied from the internet site identified here:  http://www.shamanicconference2009.org/


An International Shamanic Convergence Sponsored by the Shamanic Grandmother’s Council of Nova Scotia

Armand DeGrenier, Nova Scotia

I have been guided in spiritual practice in this incarnation following the instructions of the pre-birth council of coherence … after meeting and studying the path of “Core Shamanism” with Michael and Sandra Harner in the early 1980’s, I began experiencing a series of co-incidences that could be best described as emanations from “non-ordinary realms” … these moments of awakenings have been like a map of a path of guidance which continues to unfold to this day … in the late 1990’s, after being curious about DNA-genealogy, I was drawn to Font-de-Gaume in the Dordogne region of south western France where I experienced a profound heart connection with the lineage of the ancient cave painters …
thus the 10,000 year old roots of my shamanic path became clear ! I am heartfully indebted to the many teachers, family, friends, sisters and brothers on the path I have met over the years … in particular when I review my sacred walk, i think back to the 1970’s and humbly honour the teachings freely gifted to me by Manitonquat (Medicine Story) of the Wampanoag nation in Massachusetts and more recently am sincerely beyond grateful for the guidance and sharing of tio (uncle) don Caesario, donna Maria, don Augustin and don Rojellio of the Secoya people of Ecuador and to sobrino (nephew) Jonathan Miller, at guaria de osa retreat centre in costa rica, ethnobotanist, inter-cultural guide and rainforest protector-activist for our shared vision of (inter)planetary wholeness.

http://www.soulrestore.com/home/articles/where_shamans_dare_to_fly

Click link for: Degrenier - Where Shamans Dare To Fly

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


This is another Board Member for the Mi'maq Burial Ground Research and Restoration Association:  MARIE RUNDQUIST

I recently received email from a relation in the United States indicating to be wary of this site as it is under investigation by newagefraud.  

METIS EASTERN TRIBAL INDIAN SOCIETY OF MAINE;  http://www.metisofmaine.org/pages/history.html

Pasted below is a copy of the email verbatim.  However, I am withholding the author's name out of respect for his privacy, however, I will release it if summons to court and ordered to do so by a judge or if I am requested by the moderator of this site with the understanding the name be kept secret.


Kwe' Sister:
 I thought you would like to see this also. http://www.newagefraud.org/smf/index.php?topic=383.0 This is a post from the same NAFPS website as I sent you the other day. The reason I wanted to show you this, is this is the group Marie Rundquist is a member of. She urged me at one time to join. First of all, I don't think they are very genuine. Secondly, I don't identify as Metis and never will. If I did, I wouldn't have applied to INAC for Indian status.
 
Love ya,

[clanmother]

I have posted recent email I have written to the Town of Lunenburg in my Asserting Sovereignty & Title over my Ancestral Homeland of Mi'kmaki

 
----- Original Message -----
From: Chief Ardy Born With 3 Thumbs
To: 
Cc: minister@inac.gc.ca ; news@aptn.ca ; pm@pm.gc.ca ; info@mikmaqrights.com ; premier@gov.ns.ca ; letters@herald.ca ; mail@southshorenow.ca ; core1@eastlink.ca ; oaa@gov.ns.ca ; 
Sent: Friday, November 13, 2009 4:37 AM
Subject: Peace & Friendship


Mayor Laurence Mawhinney
Town of Lunenburg, NS
 
 
Greetings Mr. Mayor & Council,
 
I feel compelled to comment on an article I recently read in a south shore newspaper in respect to an application by Ellen Hunt requesting that a playground be removed on the claim that the property is situated on an alleged Mi'kmaq Burial ground.
 
To begin with, ... This alleged burial site should not be dismantled in it's current state of providing recreation to the young children of your district on a regular basis - even if it is proven to be an ancient burial site.
 
My reasons to support my conclusion is that today's innocent children should not be punished for the creation of a playground that was built with good intentions of serving a multi-cultural neighbourhood of diverse ethnic backgrounds. If we were to remove all modern development from the present day landscape of Nova Scotia I feel confident that farmer's fields, highways, campgrounds and other establishments would disappear.  We must look towards the future sustainabilty of our diverse cultures and focus less on the past mistakes.
 
To dismantle this safe recreational site would only contribute to the deterioration of the good relationship which has taken many years to develop between the Aboriginal and non-aboriginal in our quest to co-exist peacefully as it is fair to say that we are all here to stay; to employ the words of the Supreme Court of Canada in relation to recent Landmark Aboriginal decisions.
 
If it is proven to be a Mi'kmaq Burial Ground, I re-iterate that I do not support the removal of the present playground as the children shall suffer if this action was to be taken in the dismantling of said recreational area.  Furthermore, if any of my people's bones were to be proven at said location,  I feel confident in saying that my Ancestors in the Spirit World would assure, even moreso, the safety and enjoyment of all our children; as the children have brought no harm or injury to those living today.
 
In closing, ... I hope that this alleged claim by Ellen Hunt,  has not poisoned the childrens mind towards my people, the Mi'kmaq, as being mean spirited or created a negative atmosphere for the parents who live within the community.  In the event that the allegation is proven to be not supported by evidence that this situation has not spooked the children. I feel that Ms. Hunt's actions violate the Spirit & Intent of the Sacred Covenant Chain of Pre-conferation Peace & Friendship Treaties between the Royal Imperial Crown of Great Britain and the Tribe of MicMac.  Let us continue to co-exist in peace.
 
Oh, Great Spirit, let us greet the dawn of a new day when we all people live as brothers & sisters and peace reigns everywhere.
                                                                                                                                                                                                              indian prayer
 
All my respect,
 
Nation to Nation
 
Sagama'sgw TTT
 
 
Chief Ardy Born With 3 Thumbs
Alkonquian Mi'kmaq Clan Mother
Sissiboo, Kespoogwitunak, Mi'kma'ki
 
902 837 7449

[clanmother]

I have written to Mi’kmaq Burial Grounds Research & Restoration Association  in my Asserting Sovereignty & Title over my Ancestral Homeland of Mi'kmaki

----- Original Message -----
From: Chief Ardy Born With 3 Thumbs
To: minister@inac.gc.ca ; pm@pm.gc.ca ; premier@gov.ns.ca ; oaa@gov.ns.ca
Cc: news@aptn.ca ; letters@herald.ca ; mail@southshorenow.ca ; core1@eastlink.ca ; info@mikmaqrights.com
Sent: Thursday, November 19, 2009 8:54 PM
Subject: Fw: Smoke Signal


 
----- Original Message -----
From: Chief Ardy Born With 3 Thumbs
To: Terry Deveau
Cc: Chief Elizabeth Marshall
Sent: Thursday, November 19, 2009 8:15 PM
Subject: Smoke Signal


Mi'kmaq Burial Grounds Research & Restoration Association
Terry Deveau - Concerned Member
 
 
Kwe' Terry,
 
 
I appreciate you having the courtesy to telephone me at my dwelling last evening to discuss my serious concerns of the manner in which the Mi'kmaq Burial Grounds Research & Restoration Association has approached the Town of Lunenburg in respect to an alleged Mi'kmaq Burial site within the limits and jurisdiction of said Town.  I had previously contacted Association Board member Delina Petit Pas and she informed me that she was unaware in her role as a Board Member to any direction the Association President Ellen Hunt had taken in respect of this matter. Ms. Petit Pas had suggested I forward you my telephone number to discuss this matter, as she said you were reasonable to deal with and a concerned member of the Association.  In your position as a member with the Association, I ask of you to carry my below message to the entire Board of Directors for the Mi'kmaq Burial Grounds Research & Restoration Association. The below link will confirm the Associations Board of Directors.
 
http://www.gov.ns.ca/snsmr/rjsc/       Click on Search our Database & then Accept Terms and type:
MI'KMAQ BURIAL GROUNDS RESEARCH AND RESTORATION ASSOCIATION
 
 
My purpose of commenting on this matter is in hopes of finding a peaceful resolution to the present dilemma we all find ourselves in while trying to maintain peace & unity within the Mi'kmaq Nation.  No problem is so large that we cannot come up with a reasonable solution to resolve it, if we all allow for give and take on both sides.  The bow is strong, but, it will bend.  Let us not look at where we have been in the past, but moreso, to where we are heading to in the future, as allied Nations of the Crown and residents of the land known today as Nova Scotia.
 
In my Traditional Role as an Alkonquian Mi'kmaq Clan Mother of the Mi'kmaq Nation I have an obligation to comment on this matter as the Town of Lunenburg is situated within my Traditional Territory of Kespoogwitunak.  I presently have 4 generations of Mi'kmaq which I represent and the fact that the outcome of this situation has a direct affect on my people, the Sissiboo Mi'kmaq, whom all reside throughout Traditional Mi'kmaq Territory in our Ancestral Homeland of Mi'kma'ki.  The Honor of the Mi'kmaq Nation is at stake in our dealings with the Crown.
 
 
Background:
 
A controversey has arisen between the Mi'kmaq Burial Grounds Research & Restoration Association and the Town of Lunenburg in respect to a children's playground encompassing a 2 acre parcel of land within the Town and a request by the Association to remove the equipment situated within the playground based on the Association's alleged claim that the children's recreation area has been constructed on an alleged Mi'kmaq Burial site.
 
Mi'kmaq Burial Grounds Research & Restoration Association President Ellen Hunt approached  the Town on behalf of the Association in a hostile manner accompanied by a possee of 5 individuals demanding the recreation equipment be removed from the children's playground.  The President provided them with a letter written on behalf of the Association and it's membership.
 
The Town were surprised by the actions of the Association President and assured President Hunt that they would further an investigation into her allegation the playground was situated on an alleged Mi'kmaq Burial site. Upon further review the Town's records indicate that prior to the recent development of the playground, which cost approximately $85,000.00, that the Town had retained the services of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police to determine if any graves were situated at the location; as it was within close proximity of the boundaries of an old French cemetery.
 
The media has covered this dispute and has published the matter in the local south shore newspapers, as it affects all families of the locality.  The author of the article indicates Ellen Hunt claims to have "energy" to locate burial sites.  The news report went on to say that the Association President " also said that fellow association member Dan Pittman had a vision of skeletons while sitting on the ground there in 1984". The journalist quoted Ms. Hunt: "We often see feathers tied in the trees ...".   Along with a playground, the site also includes a Mi'kmaq interpretative and water conservation garden, a fountain and a stage for live performances.

 
http://www.southshorenow.ca/archives/2009/110309/news/index015.php
 
click on above link to read south shore news publication

Word has reached me through the Moccassin Telegraph that as of  6 November 2009 that the credibility of the Mi'kmaq Burial Grounds Research & Restoration Association is presently at risk.  New Age fraud is presently doing an investigation on Association president Ellen Hunt and her claim to being Mi'kmaq. I have commented on this site after  what I consider to be the inappropriate actions of Ms. Hunt, in her capacity as President of an Association whose work reflects on the entire Mi'kmaq Nation.  
 
http://www.newagefraud.org/smf/index.php?topic=2435.msg20367
 
click on above link - New Age Fraud - to read about President Ellen Hunt
 
 
Remedy:
 
The Mi'kmaq Burial Grounds Research & Restoration Association should convene an emergency meeting of all of it's Board of Directors and come up with a solution to resolve this matter in a peaceful manner in the best interest of all involved parties.   I suggest that the Association entertain the idea of hauling it's horns in slowly and drafting a letter to the Town with explanation after further review by the Board that it has been decided unanimously to rescind the Association's request to dismantle the children's playground, in hopes of maintaining the Spirit & Intent of the Covenant Chain of Pre-Confederation Peace & Friendship Treaties between the Royal Imperial Crown of Great Britain and the Tribe of MicMac.  We must remember that this particular tract of land is presently occupied and maintained by the Town.
 
President Hunt's actions reflect on the entire Board of Directors of the Association.  The Board will have to address this matter behind closed doors and entertain the possibility of a temporary replacement for the Role as President because Ms. Hunt's actions in her Role as President has left a Black Mark on the validity of the Association.  However, some of the Association's Board of Directors were born out of Province or presently reside in another Country, so the Association may want to go one step further and discuss replacement of some Board Members to properly reflect the purpose of the Association's creation; as I believe, if operated in a legitimate manner this Association can remain a viable asset to the Mi'kmaq Nation.
 
 
Conclusion:
 
We must co-exist in Peace with Her Majesty's other subjects located within the Towns, Hamlets and other Villages as we rely upon these non-native communities to access stores and other services in the purchasing of our monthly rations combined with the fact that all living generations of my Tribal Clan were  born within the Province of Nova Scotia and the alleged burial site would have been my people's ancestors.  
 
Each & every Mi'kmaq is like a Link, ... but, when we join hands, ... we have Forged a Chain ! --- Together, we shall make a difference.  Let us move forward in our attempt to restore Balance & Harmony to all Nations.
 
Hope this Smoke Signal reaches your Camp in good Spirit !
 
 
in peace & unity,
 
m'sit nogamah,
 
Sagama'sgw TTT
 
Chief Ardy Born with 3 Thumbs
Alkonquian Mi'kmaq Clan Mother
Sissiboo, Kespoogwitunak, Mi'kma'ki
 
902 837 7449
 
 
cc.
Chief Elizabeth Marshall
Treaty Beneficiaries Association
Eskasoni, Uni'ma'ki, Mi'kma'ki