Obituary of Margaret 'Ma'git' Catherine Poulette

MargaretPoulette – "Ma’git" Margaret Poulette, fondly known as Ma’git (Ma’kit), a matriarch of We’koqma’q First Nation, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, Sept. 10th, at the age of 79, surrounded by her loving family. Ma’git was born on March 31st, 1943, to Nancy Denny, formerly from Eskasoni, and William B. Sylliboy. She is predeceased by her husband, Charles Poulette (Ja’li), her daughter Mary Madeleine, her two sisters Mary Ellen (Mali-Ellen)Phillips and Theresa Cremo, and her brother, Grand Chief Ben Sylliboy, and by brothers-in-law Walter, Levi, David, Benjamin and Francis Poulette, sisters-in-law Elizabeth Paul and Rosie Marshall and 5 of her godchildren, Lester Michael, Harvey Bernard, Terry Googoo, Kevin D. Poulette and Nancy Cremo. Ma’git is survived by her beloved children: daughters Rosie Sylliboy, Charlotte Poulette, Jennifer Poulette ("Boo"), Charlene Paul and sons Charles Poulette, ("Quessy") and Christian (Monk) Phillips and grandsons Josh and Judd Poulette, great-grandsons Colton and Riley, brothers-in-law Maynard Poulette(Georgina), Howard Poulette and sisters-in-law Marie Sylliboy, Nancy Sylliboy(Jr), Mildred Poulette, Joanne Poulette, Martha Brookes, Mary Bridget Poulette and Madeline Poulette(Sugar) and her godchildren Robert Bernard, Muriel Googoo, Evan Jardine and Anna Campbell and many nieces and nephews. Ma’git was a residential school survivor, taken away to the Shubenacadie Indian Residential School in 1947 when she was only three years old and not returning home to We’koqma’q until 1951. Ma’git was part of the We’koqma’q Residential School Survivors group, one of the only active survivors groups in Mi’kmaki, which has been meeting regularly for the past nineteen years to help each other and the community heal from the impact of the residential school. Ma’git was one of the first survivors to speak publicly about her residential school experience to schools, community groups, politicians and through the media, raising awareness about this devastating aspect of colonization in this country. Ma’git collaborated with filmmaker Ann Verrall to create the film "Ma’kit’s Doll" which was released in 2016 and premiered at the Viewfinders Atlantic Film Festival for Youth that year. Ma’kit’s Doll has been screened at the Emerging Lens Cultural Film Festival, the Cross-Cultural Conversations touring screenings, the Every Child Matters - Reconciliation Through Education Program of the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, on APTN, and at numerous screenings throughout Nova Scotia. Children across Canada now learn about residential school by making dolls like the ones the children at the schools made when they were not allowed to have toys. Although Ma’git forgot her Mi’kmaq language during the years she was at the Shubenacadie School, she relearned it and became a "language warrior", making sure her four children became fluent speakers, and asserting the importance of the Mi’kmaq language to the survival of the spirits of Mi’kmaq people and the culture itself. Ma’git’s father fought to have a school built on the reserve. Ma’git attended the one-room school until Grade 8. The teacher lived at the school so there were no storm days. When there was too much snow to walk, Ma’git’s Dad would take the children to school with a horse and sled. Ma’git continued her education in Mabou, graduating with her Grade 11 after completing the Family Life course. Later in her life, Ma’git went back to school to get her GED and worked at the We’koqma’q First Nation band office as a receptionist, membership clerk and welfare clerk. When she was in her forties, she decided to go to university, graduating with her Bachelor of Social Work in 1989 after which she worked at Mi’kmaq Family and Childrens Services until she retired in 2003. Ma’git also served one term as a band councillor. Among her many accomplishments, Ma’git was undoubtedly proudest of raising her children to also contribute to the community. Rosie is the General Manager of the Mawitamk Society, Charlotte is a teacher who is now teaching in an Adult Mi’kmaq Immersion Program in Bear River First Nation, Boo is a Manager at Rod’s One Stop, and Quessy has followed in his father’s footsteps and is a carpenter working for We’koqma’q Contracting. Ma’git has always volunteered in the community: with the Friends of St. Anne, raising money for the annual pilgrimage to St. Anne de Beauprés, and as an elder providing guidance to many groups. An achievement that was most rewarding for her was founding the Mawitamk Society, along with her brother Ben and friend Tom Gunn, an organization that provides residential support and services to Mi’kmaq people with disabilities. In 2004, Ma’git and her friend Andrea Currie started the We’koqma’qewiskwa (the Women of We’koqma’q) drum group which has provided an opportunity for many women in the community to share the beauty and power of Mi’kmaq culture through song at performances far and wide, including at a Stephen Lewis Foundation Grandmothers Gathering in Toronto and the Deep Roots Music Festival in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, both in 2006, the annual Broad Cove concert in 2017, and at countless community events and schools. She was hoping to be with the drum group at its upcoming Celtic Colours International Festival performance next month. Ma’git received the Volunteer of the Year award in 2005 for Inverness County and traveled to Halifax to represent the county at the province-wide ceremony. Ma’git was also a strong supporter of the Cursillo community. One of Ma’git’s recent initiatives was the placing of the sign at the Canso Causeway that reads "Pjilasi Unama’ki", welcoming travelers as they arrive on the island. Ma’git was known for her genuine interest in people from different cultures, her love of bingo, basket-making, and playing Waltes (a traditional Mi’kmaw game that she helped revive), and her collection of over 200 teapots! The family wishes to thank the home care team at the Theresa Cremo Memorial Health Centre, the Inverness Dialysis Unit team, the Mawitamk staff, Dr. Genge, and Dr. Ritter and the palliative care team for the wonderful care they provided to Ma’git. Ma’git passed away on the day that Grandmother Moon was coming full, and at the moment of her death, the sun was rising on the People of the Dawn. Ma’git will be waked at the We’koqma’q Community Hall from Thursday, September 15th at 4pm to just before thefuneral mass which will be held at Blessed St. Kateri Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church in We’koqma’q First Nation on Saturday, September 17th at 11am with Father Bernie MacDonald officiating. Burial at a later date. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Dennis Haverstock Funeral Chapel, Whycocomagh. Words of comfort may be forwarded to the family at www.haverstocks.com Visitation Information Visitation September 15, 2022 to September 17, 2022 Visitation Time 4pm Visitation Location We’Koqma’q Community Centre, 15 Reservation Rd, We'koqma'q First Nation Service Information Service Date Saturday, September 17, 2022 Service Time 11 a.m. Service Location Blessed St. Kateri Parish, Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church, We’koqma’q First Nation Burial Information Burial Date At a later date. Burial Location Blessed Kateri Parish Cemetery