Tue, Aug 27
The next morning was rough. I hadn’t slept well, and things seemed off from the start. When I arrived at the Naskapi Kitchen to work, I discovered that the table I’d been using as a desk was gone. I had to improvise, piecing together a makeshift desk with a couple of chairs and a piece of plywood I found in the garbage. Not the ideal setup, but it got me through.
In the big tent, the air was full of anticipation. We held several meetings, tying up loose ends for the opening day of the Elders Gathering. The kitchen crew outdid themselves with an incredible breakfast spread, a reminder of the care and skill that goes into every meal here.
John Chescappio added a beautiful touch to the gathering with a tall signpost for the stage, showing accurate distances between each community and the Gathering site. A subtle but powerful reminder of how far we’ve all come to be here together.
Before we ate, Michapow (Paul Arthur McKenzie) led everyone in prayer.
Raoul Vollant, a SOCAM reporter, was busy interviewing elders and leaders, capturing their stories and wisdom. The elders were happy to be back together—it was heartwarming to see.
A floatplane buzzed over the camp as we ate, adding a classic northern touch to the scene. Would it even be a real northern camp without a floatplane flying by?
The day wasn’t without its challenges. My computer started acting up while I was trying to edit videos, and after countless attempts, it refused to turn back on. As if that wasn’t enough, gale-force winds knocked out the internet, making everything more difficult. Five hours on the phone with Apple tech support felt like an eternity, and in between troubleshooting, I was still trying to shoot photos and videos.
But there was a small, emotional lift during the chaos: I discovered that my Dad had made me a sign for my tent. It was a simple gesture, but it meant so much to me.
Meanwhile, preparations for the opening ceremony continued. The women dressed in their finest, and Samson came by to lend his expertise in butchering geese.
Noah Swappie led a beautiful presentation on Naskapi history, which Nuwata Robinseeno helped put together.
You can view the full presentation here.
In the kitchen, the cooks didn’t stop. They had no time to clean up, just moving from one task to the next as they prepared meal after meal for everyone.
The Jimmy Sandy Memorial School Grade 2 Class led the Opening Ceremony with a dance, all dressed up in traditional clothing. It was absolutely adorable.
Chief Theresa Chemaganish officially opened everything, accompanied by Chiefs and dignitaries from all the other nations. Several nations gave gifts to her and some of the organizers of the event.
Michapow (Paul Arthur McKenzie) started the Opening Ceremonies with traditional drumming.
By the end of the day, I was exhausted. Trying to make things work against all odds is draining. But I found a workaround for the video editing issue—using my phone to record video, transferring it to my iPad via an SD card adapter, and then uploading it with Ethernet. It was a hassle, but at least it worked.
Toward the end of the day, the rain got more intense. I was cold. I was wet. I was tired. But my stove was hot, my bed was warm, and as I lay there, the Northern Lights danced above me. Somehow, in the middle of it all, everything felt worth it.
Wed, Aug 28
This morning started a bit differently. They held mass in the big tent, and I slept in, catching the tail end of it. I had been catching up on much-needed sleep, and despite the terrific windstorm from the night before, I slept like a stone.
At the Naskapi Development Corporation’s display, they laid out artifacts, crafts, and the history of the Naskapi people. It was inspiring to see elders from other communities admiring the collection, taking in the rich stories of the past.
Back in the kitchen, the staff saved me some pancakes for breakfast and even set me up with my own little table. It was such a thoughtful gesture—one that made me feel so cared for.
Later in the morning, Caroline St-Onge led a session on grief. Our community was shaken by the tragic news that one of our young men had taken his own life during the night. The grief session was exactly what we all needed to process this heavy loss. The community has lost many people this year, but this event made it clearer than ever how much we need each other in these difficult times.
There was some beautiful singing after the session, which you can watch on the Elders Gathering – Rassemblement des aînés 2024 page. The sharing circles that followed were incredibly moving, with elders exchanging stories, comforting one another, and reconnecting in this sacred space.
I took a brief trip back to the village to shower, wash some clothes, and gather supplies. When I returned, the rain was easing up, and a giant rainbow arched across the tents.
Back at the main tent, all of us workers were treated to a lasagna lunch, a welcome break from the busy day. Cheyenne generously handed out handmade phone bags to the workers, and I received a beautiful one with feathers that matched my hoodie perfectly.
Seeing so many children running around the gathering fills my heart with joy. It reminds me of the times I was brought to elders’ camps as a child—experiences that deepened my love for this community and continue to do so.
While walking around the camp, I was approached by a man who asked, “You are Benjamin, aren’t you?” It turned out to be the father of Dan George, a childhood friend I hadn’t seen in decades. He brought me back to the Innu kitchen tent, where they treated me to hot tea and cookies as we reminisced about the old days.
Later, I helped salvage what was left of the donation center that my parents had set up, which had been obliterated by the storm. We managed to save some of the structure and the tarp, which I ended up using for my tent. At one point, the wind almost blew my dad away as we worked to secure everything!
Though the wind was still strong, the storm eventually cleared, rewarding us with a bright and crisp sunset. More tents were going up, and there are still many elders yet to arrive.
Back at the main tent, we crowned the king and queen of the gathering—Johnny and Louisa B. Saganash, a Cree couple. They treated us to a traditional dance, which was much faster than the Naskapi style!
We ended the day with a candlelight vigil for George Amos Guanish, who had passed away this morning. Julian Swappie-Thomas led a touching song, and Johnny and Louisa B. Saganash led everyone in comforting the Guanish family.
Afterwards, I spent some time visiting with the Naskapi Noohooms in their tent, listening to their stories of what life was like in the old days.
As I secured the salvaged tarp to my tent, the Northern Lights once again danced in the sky above me. I can’t help but feel deeply grateful to be here, surrounded by this land and these people.