See photos from a Wabanaki name-giving ceremony

This is part of a series called Ann's Eye, featuring the work of Ann Paul, a Wolastoqey content creator. You cansee more Ann's Eye pieces by clicking here.

On a sunny day in Sipayik (Pleasant Point Passamaquoddy Reservation) in Maine, family and friends embraced Cyril Francis, saying her name three times.

The ritual is part of the name-giving ceremony, during which an elder reveals the name for someone provided by the ancestors. Wolastoqey Grand Chief Ron Tremblay performed the ceremony for Francis, revealing her name to be Yalahseniket, meaning one who brings the light.

Wolastoqey photographer Ann Paul covered the ceremony, which included drumming, singing, smudging and a pipe ceremony, for CBC New Brunswick. Scroll through the photos and watch the video to see what she saw.

WATCH | Meet Yalahseniket: One who brings the light:

Anns Eye: See a naming ceremony in Sipayik

5 months ago

Duration 2:26

The ceremony reveals a name that has been provided by the ancestors. Wolastoqey Grand Chief Ron Tremblay performs the service for Cyril Francis in Maine.

Ann's Eye

Photographer Ann Paul brings an Indigenous lens to stories from First Nations communities across New Brunswick.Click hereor on the image below to see more of her work.