He is Mi'kmaq (priest, ritual, attend, church, experience)

[kreeden]

I was reading the beautiful quote from the sticky ....

"Rather than going to church, I attend a sweat lodge; rather than accepting bread and toast [sic] from the Holy Priest, I smoke a ceremonial pipe to come into Communion with the Great Spirit; and rather than kneeling with my hands placed together in prayer, I let sweetgrass be feathered over my entire being for spiritual cleansing and allow the smoke to carry my prayers into the heavens. I am a Mi'kmaq, and this is how we pray." Noah Augustine, from his article "Grandfather was a knowing Christian," Toronto Star, Toronto ON Canada, 2000-AUG-9.

The fact that Mr. Augustine called his self Mi'kmaq caught my eye ....

The word " Mi'kmaq " { Micmac ** is the common name for an Algonquian People of eastern Canada and north-eastern U.S.. They usually refer to theirselves as L'nu , roughly meaning " Human ". The word Mi'kmaq comes from the Algonquian word Ni'kmaq meaning " Kin ", which the French used to refer to their allies .

As I said , the fact that he refered to his self as Mi'lmaq caught my eye .... So who is Noah Augustine ? Well , in his who words ....

When asked "Who are you?", I am like many who can't respond.
I grew up in my hometown reservation of Metepenagiag, New Brunswick's oldest village.

I am a grandson of Joseph M. Augustine, a man of great wisdom, memories and respect.

I've challenged the system all my life, and feel that I've always given it my best.

I have been proclaimed as a role model and a fool. I believe in helping people, and have
often hurt people. I sometimes know who I am.

I am a product of an Indian reservation.
As a child growing up on the rez, I lived with my mother and two sisters. My skin colour was lighter than most, causing conflict both within myself and on the streets. I was often referred to as "honkey" on reserve, and "injun" off reserve. I learned to fight to survive. As a teenager, I quickly learned that I had a label attached to my identity. My last name and place of residence often determined the scope of my social activities. I was ashamed to be Indian.

I was fortunate to further my education after high school. My English teacher told me I would never make it to university. He often ridiculed me in front of the class.

And this is where the real challenges began. It was not until my third year of post-secondary education that I discovered who I really was -- a descendant of a proud Mi'kmaq heritage. The fundamental elements of our culture are not taught in non- native education systems or general society.

As native people, we are forced into a journey of self-discovery. I soon learned why people
do what they do, hurt when they hurt, and cry when they cry. What is important is that we never lose sight of who we are, and never forget where we come from. Our lives are but a cycle, and this world is our stage …

… So, who am I? I am Mi'kmaq Indian from Metepenagiag First Nation.
I am grandson of Jospeh M. Augustine. And I am the product
of an Indian reservation -- and proud of it.
I would never change who am I, or feel sorry
for the experiences that I have had. I consider
myself fortunate to have fought the battles
I have fought, and to receive the teachings that
I have received. And, as I state in the poem,

"battles perceived as failures are the ironic triumphs of life, for the lessons of life are understood only by those who know the difference."

[painted wolf]

wow, I'm sorry I missed this.
Thanks for sharing this.

wa:do

[kreeden]

I am happy that you enjoyed it Painted Wolf . As I said , he is from my neck of the woods , so I was wondering just who he was .... and like most , there are quite a few opinions on that . But I quite liked his own words .