Experiencing canoe building in Nova Scotia
Faith Julien, a Master of Health Administration (Community Care) candidate and Ted Rogers School research assistant, had the chance to learn about canoe building this summer from Elder and well-known canoe builder, Todd Labrador.
Julien is a member of the Millbrook First Nation, a Mi’kmaw community in Nova Scotia. Her research at TRSM focuses on Indigenous innovation and what conditions Indigenous businesses and communities need to undertake innovation.
Read about her experience with Todd Labrador and her thoughts on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation below.
If you’d like to learn more about canoe building, watch (external link, opens in new window) this event where Todd Labrador and Dr. Michael Carter discuss the rich history of birch bark canoes and Indigenous entrepreneurship in Canada.
What was your experience like meeting Todd Labrador and seeing the work he does for the Indigenous community?
It was a pleasure meeting Todd Labrador, as he is a well-known Elder and canoe builder in the Indigenous community. I am very privileged to have had this opportunity to meet with him and see his work. It is exceptional to see someone doing what they’re passionate about and reviving culture. Meeting with Todd and his team was a precious experience. I could see the work that they were doing firsthand in sharing stories and culture. Plus, so many different types of people listening and wanting to listen. It is quite beautiful when so many different cultures worldwide respect what Todd and his team are doing.
What did you learn from Todd and what were the insights you gleaned from your conversation?
Meeting Todd was a wonderful experience because I learned so much about canoe building and many other topics. He shared how he found his passion in canoe building, his experiences in life and becoming closer to his culture. Todd is very concerned about the birch trees and hasn’t been able to harvest as usual. He is not sure if he will continue building canoes after next year due to the condition of the birch trees in Nova Scotia.
You also spoke with women connected to canoe building. How did you meet them? What did you learn from them, and how did it impact you?
Yes, I met with Rose Meuse and her daughter Cedar Meuse. They have been working with Todd on canoe building for over three years now. Todd believes that Rose can build a canoe on her own now. She has the knowledge and experience to build canoes and transfer knowledge. I felt significantly impacted by Rose Meuse's story and how she got involved in canoe building. She said it was a spiritual and emotional experience to reconnect with her culture and share those experiences with her daughter, Cedar. It means so much to me that women take on new adventures to pass on traditions and knowledge. Todd mentioned that the women are very humble, motivated and not afraid to ask questions.
What is something you'd like to share around Truth and Reconciliation as we’ve just marked the new holiday?
I believe that all Canadians should take part in recognizing the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation as a statutory holiday. This day is to honour the legacy of the residential school survivors and to remember the children lost to the attempted genocide. I would like to see the 94 calls to action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada implemented. The 94 calls to action are available, and everyone has access to the TRC report. I would like to see more people, organizations, businesses, schools, and churches take the initiative to stand in solidarity with us, hear our voices, our stories and our calls to action. Please research the residential school system and attend Indigenous-led events and read the TRC report.
Is there anything else you'd like to add?
I appreciate you taking the time to learn more about our culture and sharing our stories. Many Indigenous people are working very hard to improve and recover from post-genocide. I believe it’s time for the international community to come together and support the Indigenous Peoples across the globe.