2021 Vital Award - Winner Interview Series David Muise, a dedicated Cultural Ambassador at Membertou Trade and Convention Center, is one of three individuals that won the Vital Excellence Award 2021, which was awarded to individuals who have played a vital role in their community through volunteerism, culture, leadership, innovation, etc. He is described as an important link between the First Nation and surrounding communities, and known for being a motivational, inspired and kind soul in Membertou. Snapshot about David Muise:
1. What is the INITIAL INSPIRATION for your career choice? Being on the Pow Wow trail and also going back to college, gave me the passion to learn more and more about the Tourism Industry. My love for singing and dancing is an instilled pride to what connection gives you. You feel yourself open up and understand more about the world. The sharing circle of it all tells us that we are all in this world together and the teachings of the sacred Medicine Wheel colors tells us we all have to be balanced and get along in this world. That is what the pow wow means to me. Pow wows would happen every weekend. Now they are slowly starting to open up again. David Muise (left), a dedicated Cultural Ambassador at Membertou Trade and Convention Center, is one of three individuals that won the Vital Excellence Award 2021 I received my Tourism and Travel Management Coordinator Diploma and learned a lot being an Intern for Tourism Prince Edward Island. To take on the role of Cultural Ambassador of the Membertou Community, the leadership of Chief Terry Paul and the Council here in Membertou, this is an honor of inspiration which I am very humble for. 2. Can you share activities on one of your typical days? On a day, it would be a song, a smudge, a greeting, a medicine pouch, a dreamcatcher workshop, a welcome, a medicine walk, a community tour or singing at events or gigs. There are many activities that happen here and around Membertou and Unama’ki. I take part in anything that deals with singing, dancing. I did singing for Hospice, Cape Breton Hospital Foundation. I also go into schools and give Medicine Walks to the children and teachers. The portfolio of what I did not work will fill a book or two. 3. What are the difficulties to inspire people about Mi’kmaq culture? There are no difficulties. It would happen in the person themselves. One way to connect is to show people how to get along. That’s one step. Instilling the basic teachings to participants allows them to be connected with not just mother earth, but with the people they interact with on a daily basis. Overall, it is what the person is feeling at that time. 4. Could you share one of the MISTAKES you made and the lesson from it? One mistake that makes you feel regretful would be not showing up, being a no show. The lesson with this mistake, and you can call it a mistake or spiritual guidance, that you were not supposed to be there at that time. Something may have come up at the last minute and you had to step out. Not letting the boss know is another mistake that costs you merit. Merit to make you feel when you work in Membertou, you are a professional and always have to be professional. In all words, have fun and be professional. David Muise in a Dreamcatcher workshop with the faculty at the Shannon School of Business in October 2021 5. What makes you appreciate most about Cape Breton? The people are the most important part of Cape Breton / Unama’ki. The diversity of languages and culture. I am honored to learn the Mi’kmaq language. Unama’ki is where I will relearn to speak and understand our people’s language. 6. What are the proudest CONTRIBUTIONS that you made to the community in Cape Breton? Sharing the drum, song and dance and mixing the Membertou Mi’kmaq Medicine Walk (*). It is a three hour five senses experience. Learning the practices from the ancestors, this is taught to the people on the Medicine Walk. There is singing and dancing, language learning and testing of medicines. Overall, it’s an experience to connect with each other and learn more about yourself as you take on the experience. Experience has helped many people connect with each other, and also learn more about the history of Membertou. Kun’tewiktuk came a long way to where it stands today as Membertou. This story always helps people understand struggle and flourish. Kun’tewiktuk is the original community of 126 and was forcefully shipped from one encampment to the next. The Exchequer Court case that took ten years to close. From 1916 till 1926, the people of Old Kings Road had fought for their land and lost. Chief Ben Christmas had found land and their journey took them up to Membertou. The Membertou community is named after Grand Chief Henri Membertou, who was the first Mi’kmaq man and his family to be baptized to Catholicism. This happened in 1610 in Port Royal. David Meuse (first one from the right) led a group on Mi’kmaq Medicine Walk journey in September 2021 (Source: CBisland.com) 7. Which opportunities and challenges that COVID-19 gave you? Being on lock down for nine months, yes, you can have a lot of time to rebuild your product and delivery. My whole life, I was not shy to perform or sing in front of crowds. I did sing a lot during the lockdown and it gave me the strength for my voice to always be able to sing for the people when requested. I have been a pow wow singer for over twenty some years. I am still learning more about my voice. So the lockdown gave me the ability to learn more about my voice and what I can do to keep it healthy. Moreover, the Membertou Mi’kmaq Medicine Walk Experience was going to be purchased on the Cruise Ships. That anticipation to have made it that far in two years, gave it a lot of potential to grow even more. With the setback, it gave it more thought, more growth to see opportunity and the visitors that come here to Membertou with an experience they will never forget. “Number one in my list would be performing in front of a million or more people. Every song I sing, I make sure that the people are going to get the best song and voice my spirit has to offer.” - David 8. Describe one SUCCESS FACTOR in your journey? The most important success factor is to believe in what you are doing, showing passion, love and dedication. Always ask for help and always know that when there is a team, anything is possible. ‘Teamwork makes the Dream work’ 9. People usually make a list of 100 things to do before they die. If you have one, could you share with me three from your list? My number one would be performing in front of a million or more people. Every song I sing, I make sure that the people are going to get the best song and voice my spirit has to offer. Number two would be put on the biggest music show that Atlantic Canada has to offer. Music from all genres and age brackets. This would be awesome. Number three, see all my children graduate in their studies. It is important because I tell the kids, one day, you will have to take care of me and your mother. (*) Membertou Mi’kmaq Medicine Walk is a three-hour tour in which you will learn the medicinal practices used by our ancestors while walking through a beautifully wooded trail in Membertou. The experience then continues with a dreamcatcher workshop, the breaking of traditional (luskinikn) bread, and then shopping at Petroglyphs Gift Shop. This guided tour begins at our Membertou Welcome Centre. Since early June, our Mi’kmaq Medicine Walk has welcomed over 150 people from all over the world including Florida, Miami, Ohio, Europe and more. Book the tour here:: https://membertoutcc.com/mikmaq-medicine-walk/ Interviewed and edited: Grace Le
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2021 Vital Award - Winner Interview Series Having been nominated by Harman Singh, CEO of Breton Ability Center (BAC) (1), Kaitlin Munroe excellently becomes the winner of Vital Employee Excellence Award 2021, which honors employees who have played a vital role in their workplaces. “She puts them first and foremost and will go above and beyond for the residents and the organization” - Harman Singh portrayed Kaitlin in her nomination. Snapshot about Kaitlin Munroe:
1. First of all, what is your INITIAL INSPIRATION for your career choice? In grade 3, I met a young girl who had Autism. We became great friends over the years, we used to hang out and have sleepovers. I saw the struggles she had with our peers, and I always felt that this came from a place of misunderstanding and lack of education around people with Autism and people with varying abilities in general. When it came time to choose my career, it was very easy for me to decide which sector I was interested in working in. Kaitlin Munroe (first one from the left) and her colleagues 2. What are the proudest CONTRIBUTIONS that you made? My proudest moments are the small everyday accomplishments of the people I support. There are often tasks or situations that we as able bodied people navigate with ease that takes a lot more support and learning for some of our residents. Being able to help them accomplish small things that others take for granted is something I am very proud of. 3. How about one CHALLENGE that you remember most? Some of the biggest mistakes I have made are when finding solutions to challenging situations and behaviors and forgetting that: sometimes, the solutions are the most obvious. I had a resident with challenging behaviors, he had incidents daily multiple times a day, surrounding noise, other clients, events on television or the newspaper. After many attempts of programs such as the usage of headphones, ear plugs, creating a private place for him, making sure the TV didn’t have the news on, taking traumatic things out of the newspaper, the solution was a “good day” program. We set expectations of what a “good day” was to him and what a “good day” looks like, giving him strategies to use. If he had a “good day” he got pop chips at a specific time. Since this program has started, the decrease in his incidents is phenomenal, and all it took was pop & chips at a scheduled time. Seeing people she supports make small accomplishes is Kaitlin’s proudest moments 4. It is difficult for everyone in the pandemic. Which was the biggest challenge you faced during this time? The residents of BAC were particularly affected by Covid 19 restrictions as being in a highly populated living environment. We often fall under the guidelines of long term care yet many of our residents are young, active, and involved in the community. During this time, they were isolated from loved ones, from their community, and limited in their ability to access outside resources. There were times where they were unable to even leave the property for months at a time. This required daily problem solving and creative solutions that sometimes fell outside of the everyday duties of our job. Kaitlin and BAC residents in the trip to Hank's Farm Market We created opportunities for our residents by turning our Abiltea’s café (2) into a store, selling preferred items we knew residents liked such as pop, chips, bars, make up, body wash, decorations ornaments, etc. We had “runners” for residents when they wanted something that they could not access at the café, staff would run out and get what they were looking for. We set up video chats with loved ones. Staff made newsletters with word searches to highlight the fun things we did during that month. We went for lots of drives, we had fun activities in each neighborhood, scavenger hunts on our property, parties, movie nights, bingo, karaoke. We were always thinking of ideas to keep our residents happy and engaged and safe on property. The biggest difference for me before COVID-19 and now is that I recognize just how important our connection to others is whether it be our family, community, and the support systems we require. The Covid 19 pandemic highlighted the need for human connection and togetherness and that this is true for our residents as well. 5. Can you describe one SUCCESS FACTOR in your journey? We use a System called TEACCH, TEACCH uses a method called “Structured TEACCHing". This is based on the unique learning needs of people with ASD, The Structured TEACCHing approach focuses on:
This method supports meaningful engagement in activities. It also works to increase students’ flexibility, independence, and self-efficacy. Kaitlin has dedicated 7 years at BAC, from a Resident Care Worker to a Behavioral Interventionist Using this method, I was able to teach important life skills. For example, myself and a co-worker set up a work system of sweeping the floor. After many attempts at holding the broom, the sweeping motion, holding the dustpan and dumping it in the garbage can without spilling, they can now successfully sweep independently. They are now the first person to offer to clean up a mess. Seeing someone accomplish something that they didn’t think they would be able to do, to see the pride in their eyes is the most rewarding feeling. 6. Is there anyone that you feel grateful to everyday in your journey? The residents for sure. We share difficult moments but also celebrate successes together. They bring a unique perspective to most situations, and have allowed me to learn and grow in ways that I would never have without their involvement in my life. Your “disability” does not define you as a person, the person comes first then the varying ability. I have worked with many people over the years, I have seen different levels of functioning, every person is different and so is everyone’s strengths. I have grown so much and I am so grateful for all the time I’ve got to spend with the people I met as they changed my life and taught me so much. “I have grown so much and I am so grateful for all the time I’ve got to spend with the people I met as they changed my life and taught me so much” - Kaitlin Munroe From the good days to the bad days, nothing else has tested me and I have never known the happiness and the rewards from anything else. They teach me lessons every day that I would not have learned in any other way, and the most important one is. Most people simply want you to listen and to be treated equally, get to know the person first. If someone handed you a chart with all your bad days, is that how you would want to be known? Take the time and put in the effort to create meaningful relationships. 7. Do you have any MENTORS and what you have learnt from them? Jimmy & Lori Kennedy are one of my best friends' parents, they are the owners of Louisbourg Seafoods Ltd. and its divisions — Ka’le Bay Seafoods Ltd., Northsyde Processing Ltd. and Canso Seafoods Ltd. Lori & Jimmy Kennedy are known in the community for their entrepreneurial mindset and building successful business from the ground up. Throughout my life, they have remained constant support for me. I’ve always admired them for their generosity and hard work ethic. Harman Singh is the CEO of Breton Ability Centre. I met Harman here at BAC. Harman Singh is a strong advocate for inclusiveness in the community. She often inspires me to think out of the box and come up with creative solutions that are effective in supporting the residents but also remain within their rights. Kaitlyn Strickland is the lead social worker at BAC, we became very close co-workers working with each other daily that turned into an amazing friendship. Kaitlyn Strickland is someone who I work with very closely. Kaitlyn is always there to help me work through any challenging scenarios, when it comes to the rights of the residents and ethical guidelines she is always able to point me in the right direction. Kaitlyn is always there to help me when seeking information, she has so much knowledge and information. 8. And, you are also a Special Olympics floor hockey coach too? (Smile) Yes, I recently just joined. It's been since October, we practice every Monday at the YMCA. We run drills, the athletes play against each other and to end the practice we normally do a shoot out! We have roughly 20 athletes, we have not had any games due to the pandemic currently.
Interviewed and edited: Grace Le
2021 Vital Award - Winner Interview Series Ashley Roach-Poirier was nominated and became one of three Vital Excellence Award winners this year for being an “extremely dedicated and charitable person” (said by her nominator). Besides a full-time job at a construction company, Ashley has dedicated her heart to a long list of community activities, including teaching Zumba for all ages, fundraising, coaching sports teams at school level, being a board member of arts council, performing at nursing homes, churches, concerts, etc. in her hometown. Snapshot about Ashley Roach-Poirier:
1. Where do you originally come from and what made you decide to settle down here in Cape Breton? I have always lived in Cheticamp for 30 years, except 4 years that I went away for college. I love the small town life that Cheticamp offers. There’s so much to do for our little town. Everyone knows everyone and I like that. When you need it, the community is always there to support you. I ended up returning to Cheticamp right after my college studies as I had met someone who is now my husband. He owned his own construction company and was settled already, so it was an easy decision to move home. I've been working for the company for 7 years now! The photo was from “Stuff the Cruiser” where Ashley and her group did a Christmas carol while they collected donations for our local food bank. 2. Can you share some of the funding activities you did and what is your INITIAL INSPIRATION for what you have been doing? I also love supporting fundraising for good causes. With our Rainbow Rockstarz fundraisers during Covid, we managed to raise roughly $3,400 this summer for both our causes, which are Relay for life and Cape Breton Cancer Patient Fund. This was done by canvasing the sidewalks, we had music going and of course some dancing. When we can do our variety Concerts, we usually bump that number up to $5,000-6,000 per year. Let’s hope for 2022! (Editor: Read more about this campaign: https://www.invernessoran.ca/top-story/625-cancer-fund-run-cheticamp) Our annual “Stuff the Cruiser” with the RCMP gets many food donations as well as monetary donations which amounted to over $5,000. The event is coming up on December 11th. Our Gospel concerts are usually performed in one of our local churches. Donations are accepted at the door and donated to the church. Usually every concert we do raises between $1,000-1500. We try to do at least two concerts per year. Our last Christmas concert raised roughly $2,000 for the Arts Council. We also participate in the annual Radioton for Arts Council which raises roughly $5,000 per year. We participate in the annual fall Radioton that is held for our local Radio (CKJM) and that also raises roughly $5,000 per year. Ashley was in the rainbow canvasing the sidewalks as a fundraiser Throughout the many different benefit dances that we have been involved in, the community of Cheticamp never ceases to amaze me. We usually see funds raised for families in need anywhere from $5,000$ to $10,000, sometimes even more! Most every year we have a local “Papa noel/Christmas daddies” for our local “St Vincent De Paul” charity. We always make sure to participate in this event. I am not entirely sure of amounts raised but I know this is an important event as it raises money prior to Christmas and allows the charity to provide food during the holidays to many families in need. Ashley in the Committee of Jackie Deveau Memorial Golf Tournament I had forgotten to mention that I am also on the committee that organizes the Jackie Deveau Memorial Golf Tournament that raises money for various causes. Our last tournament raised just over 12000$ for these causes. I've always been involved in many different activities even at a young age. I love a busy schedule and so being involved in the community keeps me occupied. When I moved back home, my involvement was with the Radio board of directors and with coaching volleyball for about 5 years. More recently in the last few years, I teach dance at our local school to both young children and adults. I also teach Zumba classes and partake on the Arts Council board of directors as well as the Cheticamp cooperative. Ashley and her students in KIDS Zumba class My inspiration for teaching dance comes from my involvement as a kid. Someone took the time to teach me, to coach me and now I feel privileged to be able to contribute to others. Along with dance, music has always been a big part of my life. We sing at various benefits, concerts. But what I hold dear to my heart is singing at our local Foyer pere Fiset (a nursing home in Cheticamp). La P’tite Brise, a group of young step dancers in the Cheticamp community, are students of Ashley. The pandemic has really opened our eyes to how much things can be taken for granted. I have sang at the Foyer roughly once a month since 2011, but with the pandemic, we weren’t able to go. Just last week, I got the call that we’ll be able to start singing there again. 3. One REMARKABLE MEMORY in your journey? There are so many over the years. One thing that I find extra special is our Christmas day. Every Christmas (of course apart from last year) for 6 years now, we go to the Foyer with a group of people and we sing Christmas carols throughout the halls to spread some Christmas Joy. I can’t explain the feeling when we see the residents sing and follow along, the families smiling and joining in, and even the staff dancing and laughing. It is truly a special part of our Christmas day that we look forward to. Ashley and her group sang at the local Foyer in Holiday season 4. Are there any MISTAKES that you learned by heart? As everyone, I'm sure I've made my fair share of mistakes. I think the biggest lesson that I learnt is that not everyone is as committed as you. Sometimes, when I get inspired and want to do something, I expect everyone to feel the same. I've had to realize that not everyone shares the same passions as me, so of course I had to lower my expectations. I also had to learn that you can’t please everyone, so it’s finding a balance of doing things in the best way you can and being ok with that. This was hard for me as I'm a go-getter and I like to achieve goals. I set the bar high for myself. So sometimes, it's just learning to be ok with not everyone being on board or accepting your best. 5. Who are your MENTORS? Could you share with us THREE MOST SIGNIFICANT THINGS that you learnt from them? I have so many mentors that have inspired me. Throughout my life I've had knowledgeable teachers, sports coaches, stern but good bosses, dance instructors, loving parents, supportive friends and family. I feel like there is a BIG list of things that I learnt but if I have to pick three it would be:
Ashley participated in the rainbow Rockstarz variety concert. Her team fundraised for Cape Breton Cancer patient fund and for Cancer society. 6. What CHANGES do you really want to make in your Community? I hope that my involvement will inspire others to do something as well. I think everyone has a gift that they can share, a strength that they can use to help our community become stronger and better. I hope my love for dance and music is spread to the younger (and not so young) generation. Someone asked me why I accepted to be on the board of the coop as my schedule is pretty hectic to begin with. The way I see it is if I want things to ameliorate, I can’t help by being a bystander! For things to positively change people have to be active in their community! 7. Do you have any GOALS in the next 5 years? I hope that we continue to move forward with live events, and strive to find our new normal. I would love to develop more opportunities for dance in our community, as well as other similar physical activities. I look forward to working with others towards these goals. I hope to be able to make a difference on the committees I'm currently involved in. Sometimes new ideas and a fresh outlook can go a long way. God knows what new endeavors I’ll be doing in five years, but I look forward to it. “If I want things to ameliorate, I can't help by being a bystander” - Ashley 8. Finally, how did you feel when you got nominated and finally became the winner this year? To be honest, I had no idea I had been nominated let alone win! It is truly an honor to receive this award! I was so touched that someone would consider nominating me. I guess it really goes to show that you really never realize the impact you are having!
Interviewed and edited: Grace Le
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