Sweetwater Maiden Story Shared with Visitors to Cape Breton Highlands National Park

From: Parks Canada

News release

New interpretation panels at MacIntosh Brook share Mi'kmaw story of maple syrup


October 15, 2018                        Chéticamp, NS                          Parks Canada Agency

The story of how a young Mi’kmaw maiden first discovers and boils sismoqnapui, or maple sap, is now being shared with visitors on five new interpretive panels near MacIntosh Brook Trail in Cape Breton Highlands National Park. The panels were unveiled last week in a ceremony in the national park.                

The interpretive panels are based on the children’s book Sweetwater Maiden: The Mi'kmaw Legend of Maple Syrup by author and Parks Canada interpreter Mary Louise Bernard. The book, based on a Mi’kmaw legend passed on to Mary Louise from her mother’s grandfather, was also developed into a popular interpretive program offered during the visitor season at the national park. The illustrations for the new interpretive panels are by artist Dozay Christmas.

The five interpretive panels have been developed in three languages: English, French, and Mi’kmaw. The location of MacIntosh Brook was chosen for its old-growth hardwood and stands of sugar maple trees.

Parks Canada is committed to a system of national heritage places that celebrates the contributions of Indigenous peoples, their histories and cultures, as well as the special relationship Indigenous peoples have with traditional lands and waters.

Parks Canada and Indigenous peoples work together to develop interpretive materials and activities at all national parks, historic sites, and marine conservation areas. Canadians are invited to visit Parks Canada places to learn about Indigenous cultures, traditions, and customs. In doing so, we can create new opportunities for Canadians to better understand the cultures and histories of Indigenous peoples in Canada.

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Quotes

“Both the interpretive program and these newly installed panels bring the Sweetwater Maiden story to life in Cape Breton Highlands National Park. The Government of Canada through Parks Canada is proud to work alongside the community to share Mi’kmaw stories and perspectives with Canadians and visitors from around the world.”

Rodger Cuzner,
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour and Member of Parliament for Cape Breton–Canso

“This is a bedtime story that was passed on to me by my mother who heard it from her father. It tells the story of a young Mi’kmaw maiden who first discovers and boils sismoqnapui or maple sap in Mi’kma’ki which is Eastern North America. I then made it into a children’s book that is now available in Mi’kmaw, English, French, and Gaelic. It’s exciting to now share the story in another way through interpretive panels.”

Mary Louise Bernard,
Author and Parks Canada Interpreter

“These new panels are another meaningful way to share Mi'kmaw culture and stories with visitors. Not only do visitors get to enjoy nature at its best, they also get an opportunity to learn more about our culture of storytelling and share it with generations to come.”

Chief Norman Bernard,
Wagmatcook First Nation

Quick facts

  • Mary Louise Bernard is a Parks Canada interpreter and former Chief of Wagmatcook First Nation (1994-2002). She developed the legend into an interpretive program offered during the visitor season at Cape Breton Highlands National Park as well as a children's book, Sweetwater Maiden: The Mi'kmaw Legend of Maple Syrup, in 2013. The book is available in Mi'kmaw, French, Gaelic, and English, and can be purchased through Les Amis du Plein Air’s Le Nique book store.

  • The Unama’ki-Parks Canada Advisory sub-committee is comprised of representatives of the Cape Breton Mi’kmaw communities and Parks Canada’s Cape Breton Field Unit.

  • Working together with more than 300 Indigenous communities across Canada, Parks Canada and Indigenous peoples are partners in conserving, restoring, and presenting Canada’s natural and cultural heritage.

Associated links

Contacts

Darlene Doucet
Parks Canada Agency
902-224-4230
darlene.doucet@pc.gc.ca
http://www.twitter.com/parkscanada

Media Relations
Parks Canada Agency
855-862-1812
pc.media@pc.gc.ca

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