Artist shows meaning of Mi'kmaw months with beaded calendar

Ashley Sanipassconnects most with the beading she did of two nuzzling bears oneof 12 pieces that represent the months of theMi'kmaw calendar.

In English, the month would becalled September, but inMi'kmaw, it's called Wikumkewiku's, which translates to "animal mating."

"I wanted to teach people about the whole idea of how our months are more descriptive than what we hear in English. I wanted to show people that part of the language," said Sanipass, 37.

The Mi'kmaw artistfrom Indian Island First Nation near Monctonhas been learning her language for several years.

Sanipasswanted to create something that would allow her to both share her language, which is known as being "verb- based,"and show how each calendar month is called something that is actually happening in the territory at that time.

From the croaking offrogsto the time whenanimals start fattening themselves, she beaded an image of eachmonthinto a 12-piececircle.

She said theproject, which took her 180 hours to complete, has also taught her how her ancestors used the land based on their description of each time of year.

"Asyou move on in the calendar, you know when it's time to hunt because that's how we describe that time of the year. You knew when it was time to harvest because that's how we would describe that time of the year," said Sanipass.

Gerald Gloade, an elder from Millbrook First Nationin Nova Scotia, said it's important people learn about the Mi'kmaw calendar.

He said each month is based on the journey of the moon around the planet Earth, so rather than 12 months, there are13 in a year. He said along with reflecting what's happening, the calendar is also a guide.

"It talks about our way of life, where to be and when to be there knowing what's coming ahead and what you need to do to prepare for it," said Gloade.

He said each district in Mi'kma'ki may have different teachings about the land so their months and themes may differ.

He said the sharing of the teachings and stories depicted in the calendar honours the elders and thecalendar offers importantlessons.

"It gives you a stronger connection to the environment itself and once you get that connection, you understand that responsibility for the environment," he said.

One challenge Sanipassfaced was that some communities have adopted the 12-month calendar while others still keepa13-mooncalendar.

Sanipass said she tried to honour bothby including the 13th moon in the centre of her poster.

During her research she spoke toelders from severalcommunities and pulled out common themes about the name of the month and how to depict the activity in her beaded pieces.

Sanipass started researching the calendar themes in March and by September she began beading the different pieces. She struggled to bead concepts like November's frost month,but had a lot of fun beading animal mating season whereshe beaded the affectionate bears.

She worked with University of New Brunswick Saint John to create the poster, which includes the English month name, the Mi'kmaw word for the time of the yearand an English translation.

Her work is amongthree piecesby Wabanaki artists commissioned by thecampusthat will be on display in January.

Sanipass said she had a lot of fun learning from elders and language experts.

"Mi'kmaw people have such good humour and thelaughter at times when we're talking about the months and learning," she said.

One of her language teachers is Vince Barlow from Indian Island. The Mi'kmaw elder said laughter is an important part of a language journey andhe's proud of Sanipass.

"I'm excited for her and she'snot afraid to make a mistake," said Barlow, 77.

He hopes to one day go through the poster together with Indian Island's Mi'kmaw language group.