Elsipogtog workshop passes down rare mask carving teachings to the next generation of artists
8 up-and-coming Mi'kmaw artists receive teachings in month-long course
Only a handful of Wabanaki artists in recent years have mastered hand-carving wooden masks, but now eight emerging Mi'kmaw artists from Elsipogtog First Nation in New Brunswick are following in their footsteps.
Throughout the month of March, these eight artists have honed their skills, guided by elders from the community and their instructor.
As they near the completion of their journey, each participant now holds their nearly complete mask in their hands, reflecting on over 100 hours of hard work.
"It's just filled me with a lot of confidence, a lot of pride, a lot of strength," said Brant Melvin Augustine, one of the students.
Although Augustine is no stranger to carving, having carved antlers and walking sticks in the past, this is the first time he's carved a mask under the mentorship of an instructor.
"I'm a lot more content with myself," said Augustine.
"I'm glad to be here... I'm happy I took this course."
The month began with a journey into the forest, where the group searched for the perfect tree, ultimately ending up with a beautiful white birch tree.
Under the guidance of elders and their instructor, the group harvested the birch, offering tobacco, traditional songs and prayers, to honour the tree for its sacrifice in helping the group learn this rare traditional art form.
Each student was given a log and through careful, deliberate carving, the masks gradually took shape. Every shaving of wood, an exercise in patience, a slow unveiling of the stories within the masks.
Katelynn Simon, the only woman in the course, said this was her first experience with carving.
She describes the depth of her work, inspired by Grandmother Willow from the movie Pocahontas.
"It just started with two lines and then eventually, every day, we pray over the mask," she said.
"I got the feeling… like, your eyes have been shut for too long."
Initially hesitant to join the male-dominated space, she said she quickly found her rhythm.
"I felt like I wasn't going to be able to do this cause it's all men, but I've been sitting down [working] most of the time, so I'm ahead of the group."
The course has a deeper purpose. Each participant has, at one point, struggled with addiction and are using this opportunity to focus on healing while learning a new art form.
Each day begins with ceremony — a prayer, a traditional song and a cleansing smudge to ground the participants and masks in a space of spiritual well-being.
"We're trying to establish a new way of doing traditional carving, rooted in ceremony," said Elder Cyril Polchies.
"When we do it this way, the piece is awakened. You have to give it life."
The course is funded by Mawi'Art and Elsipogtog First Nation, allowing participants to dedicate four days a week to their craft while being compensated for their time. Upon completion, each artist will not only take home a finished mask, but also gain an artist's CV, valuable skills and, if funding permits, the tools needed to continue carving independently.
"This is just the beginning… the birth of the new generation of carvers," said Polchies.
For instructor Gordon Sparks from Pabineau First Nation, this work is deeply personal. Sparks recognizes the potential that mask carving has in helping folks along their journeys to maintaining a healthier lifestyle.
"It's done that for me in my past because I had a past that was not so clean and it was a little rough-edged," said Sparks.
"The masks really brought me into my culture and an understanding of who I am as a Mi'kmaw person living here in Mi'kma'ki."
Sparks has been reawakening mask ceremony and mask teachings and carries the teachings from his mentor, Wolastoqey and Plains Cree mask carver Edward Ned Bear.
He said the natural progression of his career is in teaching the skill to the next generation of Mi'kmaw mask carvers, and felt inspired to start in Elsipogtog because of the community's strong ties to language and culture.
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