Book Launch in Potlotek

The book launch for Muin and the Seven Bird Hunters (Muin aqq L'uiknek Te' sijik Ntuksuinu'k) took place at the Mi'kmawey School in Potlotek (Chapel Island) on January 20th. I was very please to have been invited to attend the Launch celebration by one of the authors of the book Lillian Marshall of Potlotek. The book whidh is printed in both Mi'kmaq and English is the story of the very old Mi'kmaw legion of the Bear and the seven bird hunters and is brought ot life by Mi'Kmaw elders Lillian Marshall and Murdena Marshall in partnership with the Cape Breton University's Intergrative Science initiative. The legend was told through the ages by members of the Mi'kmaw nation to their children, sometimes used as a bed time story during the long winter months. The story follows the celestial pattern of movement, of stars around the North Star. The Mi'Kmaw people named these stars Muin and the Seven Bird Hunters and it was by watching the movement of the stars that they used as their calendar.

In 2009, during the United Nations International Year of Astronomy, which included Aboriginal astronomy that this version of Muin was orginally created for electronic presentation to school and community groups and on the internet. Its creators decided to make the electronic version into a childrens book, capturing forever in print this beautiful legion. The book is dedicated to the Elders of Mi'Kma'ki, Muin and the Seven Bird Hunters is a joint venture between Lillian Marshall is instrumental in developing innovative learning and educational material to be used in Aboriginal Education and is a highly respected elder, in Potlotek, Murdena Marshall is a retired Assosciate Professor of Mi'kmaw Studies at Cape Breton University and continues to be highly active in projects locally, regionally and nationally and is also a highly respected Elder from Eskasoni first Nations.
The book launch was attended by a large number of locals, members of UCB, Elders from the Mi'kmaw communities and representatives of the media. The opening address was given by Lindsay Marshall representing the educational community, who welcomed everyone to Potlotek. The Mi'kmawey Drummers, a young group of drummers/singers which have only been together since October performed under the leadership of instructor Edward (Eddy) Doucette a traditional Mi'kmaw welcoming number. Next Mr. Marshall intruduced Dr. Cheryl Bartlett who is in charge of the Intergrative Science Program at Cape Breton University and who work closely with the authors, commented that the book launch of this book was for herself and Lillian, like giving birth to a child and being a proud parent. Next to speek were the authors Lillian Marshall and Murdena Marshall commenting on the importance of these legends in education and to the community and the children especially. The launch was completed with a reading of the book Muin and the Seven Bird Hunters. The book is very well done, an excellent story for children, easy to understand, great learning material and beautifully illustrated.