Nineteen-year-old artist Alyssa Johnson, far left, had lots of company Saturday when she held her first show and sale at the Barra Strait Friendship Festival in Grand Narrows. Johnson has been painting for about five years and uses strong acrylic colours to express herself. Beside Alyssa is her sister, Karleigh Johnson, 7; and her cousins Kayris Sack, 10 and Melody Battiste, 9 all of Eskasoni First Nation. Photo by ROSEMARY GODIN/CAPE BRETON POSTArticle contentThe Gaels who landed in Cape Breton in the early part of the 19th century wouldn’t have survived without the friendship and support of the Mi’kmaq people. And on Saturday, it was time to strengthen that friendship in 2025. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle content“We’ve had hundreds of years of friendship,” said Grand Narrows resident Randy Pointkoski who was the driving force behind the Barra Strait Mi’kmaq Friendship Festival – Mawio’mi Tewitk, held on Saturday at the Grand Narrows waterfront. Article contentArticle contentArticle content Barra Strait Friendship Festival organizer Randy Pointkoski wears a festival T-shirt that was emblazoned with the logo for the inaugural event. The rain cleared and the sun shone Saturday afternoon as a couple of hundred people attended the event on the Grand Narrows waterfront. The festival was both culturally educational and entertaining. Photo by CONTRIBUTEDArticle contentMawio’mi means a gathering of friends, elders, youth and community, while Tewitk is the Mi’kmaw name for Grand Narrows: “Where the waters flow out.” Together those words spoke to the spirit of the event through music, ceremony, art, and conversation that honoured each culture’s shared history and connections that continue today. Article contentGaels were people of Scottish Gaelic origin who emigrated to Nova Scotia and Cape Breton between 1773 and 1850. Looking for a more peaceful life because of events such as the “Highland Clearances” in their home country, they were welcomed and aided by the Mi’kmaq who have been here for thousands of years. Article content“We want to continue to build the spirit of community right on this site,” Pointkoski told the crowd that gathered in Grand Narrows to listen, learn and celebrate. Article content Wagmatcook First Nation’s former chief, Mary Louise Bernard, led a water ceremony at Grand Narrows on Saturday at the inaugural “Friendship Festival” honouring the centuries-old relationship between the Gaels and the Mi’kmaq. She encouraged visitors to the festival to reconnect with Mother Earth and reminded people that the Mi’kmaq name for Cape Breton is Unama’ki which means “land of the fog” and fog comes from the water. Photo by ROSEMARY GODIN/CAPE BRETON POSTArticle content‘THE LAND IS OUR MOTHER’Article contentBefore the afternoon’s entertainment, speakers took to the stage and connected the beautiful surroundings to the stewardship of the Mi’kmaq since time immemorial and the historic partnership with the Gaels. Article contentArticle content“The land is our mother and one of the reasons we are here today is to reconnect with mother earth,” said Mary Louise Bernard, elder and former chief of Wagmatcook First Nation.Article content“Unama’ki (Mi’kmaw word for Cape Breton) means ‘the land of the fog’ and fog comes from water.” Article content Cultures were shared Saturday at the Barra Strait Friendship Festival in Grand Narrows. Above, Faye Sylliboy, manager of Eskasoni Cultural Journeys, found on Goat Island in the First Nation, drummed and sang two songs on stage during the Saturday afternoon event. She sang “Strong Woman Song” and the “Water Song” in Mi’kmaq. Photo by ROSEMARY GODIN/CAPE BRETON POSTArticle contentDuring the afternoon, Bernard led a water ceremony she created to honour the past and welcome a future of understanding and respect. Together, those at the ceremony were able to appreciate the four waters of: sweetwater; saltwater; freshwater and rainwater. Article contentEskasoni elder and environmental activist Dr. Albert Marshall spoke about the best ways to support unity, love and compassion in our lives. In prayer he asked for wisdom and respect; bravery to do good work on earth; honesty so people don’t hurt one another; and humility so no one is superior to another. He prayed for “human beings who are out of balance.”
Strengthening cultural friendship, appreciating natural beautyat Cape Breton Mikmaq festival
