News Releases

FREDERICTON - A collective of established and emerging visual and performing artists from across New Brunswick will gather to share a story of the Wabanaki peoples at the Delta Fredericton on Friday, October 25 in a celebration of Indigenous culture in support of Indigenous student bursaries.

The Gelu’lg Maw-a-paw Gala, hosted by New Brunswick Community College (NBCC), is a fundraiser supporting NBCC’s Indigenous Student Bursary Program. It will feature We Are Wabanaki, a performance group brought together by Samaqani Cocahq, also known as Natalie Sappier, a celebrated Wolastoqiyik inter-disciplinary artist from Tobique First Nation. Sappier serves as artistic director, production manager and performer, bringing together storytellers, drummers and dancers for a unique and exciting showcase of Indigenous culture.

“The purpose of this coming together of artists is to share the stories of this land through Wabanaki voice, presented by Wabanaki people,” said Cocahq.

The event name, Gelu’lg (Gel-uulk) Maw-a-paw, honours New Brunswick’s First Nations cultures. It means “awesome gathering” in the Mi’kmaq (Gelu’lg) and Wolastoqiyik (Maw-a-paw) languages.

“The gala is more than a celebration of culture; it is an important fundraiser for NBCC’s Indigenous bursaries,” said Mary Butler, President and CEO of NBCC. “We invite our friends, partners and stakeholders to join us and help remove barriers to opportunity for Indigenous learners across New Brunswick.”

Since 2015, NBCC Indigenous Gala events have raised $50,000 for the NBCC Indigenous Student Bursary Program.

For ticket information please visit www.nbcc.ca/gala

-30-

MEDIA CONTACT:

Tanya Greer, Corporate Communications Coordinator, NBCC

506-453-8194

tanya.greer@nbcc.ca