(from left to right) Acadia First Nation Members: Councillor Natteal Battiste, Councillor Jeff Purdy, his daughter Josie, Chief Deborah Robinson and Councillor/Deputy Chief Avis Johnson.
A water ceremony and smudging was held by Acadia First Nation yesterday near the Tusket Falls Main Dam.
The water will be lowered to natural levels at the Lake Vaughan reservoir, as well as Gavel and Kings lakes as part of the refurbishment of the dam.
There were many speakers at the ceremony including Acadia First Nation Chief Deborah Robinson, Grand Chief Norman Sylliboy, Grand Captin Antle Denny and President and CEO of Nova Scotia Power Peter Gregg.
Acadia First Nation councillor Jeff Purdy explains why holding the ceremony was important.
“It’s been a long road for the refurbishment of Tusket dam,” says Purdy. “The ceremonies today are to honour our elders, our ancestors, our spirits and waterways in working collaboration with Nova Scotia power.”
Purdy also discussed the meaning of the water ceremony.
“The water ceremony holds a lot of memories and it’s very sacred. It’s life, giving life,” says Purdy. “A lot of our sites are submerged under the water that were taken away from us. Having that ceremony shows respect to everybody of all cultures and our sites.”
Nova Scotia power says they are working with the Mi’kmaw community to protect and preserve any artifacts that may be discovered as the lowering takes place.
Drumming before the ceremony took place.
