Fort Folly Indians revive Ste. Ann celebration

First time event held in 65 years. The Times-Transcript July 25, 1984

By Wallie Sears (Correspondent)
Beaumont (Special)

Although no gold coins were found along the banks of the Petitcodiac River Wednesday, Indians from throughout the Maritimes revived a number of old traditions and established some new ones. More than 100 native people trekked to this finger of land, located between the Memramcook and Petitcodiac rivers just before they empty into Ste. Ann's Day for the first time in 65 years. And legend has it that Indians, who resided here on what was then the Fort Folly Reserve, used to find gold coins along the shores of the Petitcodiac at low tide, sparking the idea that pirates may have buried treasure in the region.

The Fort Folly Reserve was established here in 1840 and remained as such until the final family moved out in the 1930's.

"It was just too isolated for them to remain there," says Chief Steve Bernard of Dorchester. The exodus began during the First World War and continued for 20 years with most of the residents moving to the Dorchester area.

The Fort Folly Reserve is now located on as 80-acre tract of land purchased in 1970. The Micmac band had sold the 60 acres at Beaumont in 1969 to the Roman Catholic Parish of Pre d'En Haut and used the funds to create the reserve in Dorchester.

The struggling members of Fort Folly erected their own church in 1842 and the building remains on its original site.

Rev. Louis M Daigle, pastor of Pre d'En Haut, is responsible for the upkeep of the 150 seat chapel and it was is top shape Wednesday for a mass given in English and Micmac by Rev. George Coutlee, priest at the Big Cove Reserve

Rev. Daigle said renovations have been necessary but the chapel is used every year during July and August for church services. The original pews remain in the choir loft and the Way of the Cross, is nearly a century old. A tiny house adjoining the church was where visiting priests remained overnight when visiting the reserve 100 years ago.

The Big Cove choir sang in Micmac during the administering of communion by Rev. Coutlee. He also joined in the singing, as did a number of guests who are familiar with the language and traditions

Rev. Coutlee explained that the first celebration of Ste. Ann took place near Chapel Island, Cape Breton in 1628 and was known as the Feast of Ste. Ann.

Every year since 1628 Indians have gathered at Chapel Island to celebrate the occasion, but this was the first Ste. Ann Picnic at Beaumont since 1919.

George Perry from the Truro Reserve recalled his boyhood days at Beaumont and how tough times were in those days.

"Fishing was our livelihood," he said. "Sometimes we were pretty hungry but I remember hooking a three foot cod fish on one occasion and we sure had a feast that day."

And Margaret Bailey of Gary, Indiana also recalled her early life in Beaumont with a touch of emotion. She is a sister of the Fort Folly Chief.

The Ste. Ann's Picnic is traditionally held on July 26 but was set ahead one day because of the Indian Summer Games which are being held in Big Cove through to Sunday.

Rev. Coutlee explained how each year hundreds of Indians from Big Cove would go to Burnt Church to celebrate the occasion for two or three days. And he said it was on occasions such as this that Roman Catholic missionaries would come and introduce their beliefs.

During Wednesday's mass, which was the kick-off for a day of fun and celebrations, voices of tiny children blended with those of the priest. All of the collection was turned over to the Indian Island Reserve to assist with the erection of a church in their community.

During a break in the mass, a procession led to nearby ground where 100 bodies are buried. Some members were in traditional headdress as Ste. Ann was honored by the brief pilgrimage. Representatives attended from Tobique, Big Cove, Indian Island, Eel River Bar, Pabineau, St. Mary's, Kingsclear, Oromocto and Fredericton reserves in New Brunswick, and from bands in Truro; and Lennox Island, P.E.I..

A number of prominent members of the Indian population were in attendance, including Peter Barlow, who has served as Chief of the Indian Island Reserve for 49 years.

Charles Paul, vice-chairman of the Union of New Brunswick Indians, and Albert Levi, Chief of Big Cove, who recently received the Order of Canada, also attended.

At the cemetery, Fort Folly Chief Steve Bernard read a prayer to the Great Spirit. With Micmac, Maliseet, French and English languages all being used, the 100-plus picnicker joined as one in preparing lunch. Barbeques quickly produced hamburgers, hot dogs and toasted buns while salads, sweets and coffee appeared almost if by; magic and there was total brotherhood as huge quantities of food was ingested prior to the ceremonial dance.

Eleven young people, attired in traditional costume, and accompanied by a chanter on a makeshift drum, did the bridge, snake and round dances. They were all from Eel River Bar and gave a well orchestrated display as the sound of the chant echoed through the surrounding forests rising above the tiny river valley.

Chief Bernard, the host and organizer of the Ste. Ann Picnic, said he would like to see it become an annual event and new traditions established. But he cautioned that others must become involved in its participation.

The Fort Folly Reserve is a tiny one, consisting of but 10 homes and 24 residents. Another 24 members reside off the reserve. He is assisted by two councillors- David Thomas and Alvin Bernard and a full time manager, Michael Nye.

He says all men on the reserve are employed, mainly in Moncton and Dorchester. "This is in sharp contrast to some reserves," he said. "And I believe this has come about because of our early integration in the white system and our central location which offers better opportunities for employment."

Chief Bernard says he approached nearly every level of government but was unable to obtain even one cent to help offset the cost of staging the event.

"We were even turned down by the Bicentennial Commission since our members are so small and we could not do a thing with the Dept. of Indian Affairs."

Charles Paul, meanwhile, said New Brunswick Indians are becoming more enlightened than they were even 10 years ago.

"I can recall." he said, "when the Indian Affairs representative was God. He doled out goodies and you could take them or leave them. But that is no longer the case as our members aren't afraid to criticize and pick holes in new legislation or proposals."

But he described as "insensitive" legislation regarding Indian women who marry whites and move off reserves. This would halt the practice of their losing Indian status. "We would ultimately come the same conclusion," he said, "but we do like to be consulted on such matter."

Meanwhile, Bernard said the revival of the Ste. Ann Picnic at Beaumont is the Agreatest thing that ever happened. I can recall my father dreaming of this coming about, but it's taken an awful lot of work, sweat and tears to make it become a reality.

Fort Folly Indians revive Ste. Ann celebration

First time event held in 65 years. The Times-Transcript July 25, 1984

By Wallie Sears (Correspondent) Beaumont (Special)

The Fort Folly Reserve was established here in 1840 and remained as such until the final family moved out in the 1930's.

"It was just too isolated for them to remain there," says Chief Steve Bernard of Dorchester. The exodus began during the First World War and continued for 20 years with most of the residents moving to the Dorchester area.

The Fort Folly Reserve is now located on as 80-acre tract of land purchased in 1970. The Micmac band had sold the 60 acres at Beaumont in 1969 to the Roman Catholic Parish of Pre d'En Haut and used the funds to create the reserve in Dorchester.

The struggling members of Fort Folly erected their own church in 1842 and the building remains on its original site.

Rev. Louis M Daigle, pastor of Pre d'En Haut, is responsible for the upkeep of the 150 seat chapel and it was is top shape Wednesday for a mass given in English and Micmac by Rev. George Coutlee, priest at the Big Cove Reserve

The Big Cove choir sang in Micmac during the administering of communion by Rev. Coutlee. He also joined in the singing, as did a number of guests who are familiar with the language and traditions

Rev. Coutlee explained that the first celebration of Ste. Ann took place near Chapel Island, Cape Breton in 1628 and was known as the Feast of Ste. Ann.

Every year since 1628 Indians have gathered at Chapel Island to celebrate the occasion, but this was the first Ste. Ann Picnic at Beaumont since 1919.

George Perry from the Truro Reserve recalled his boyhood days at Beaumont and how tough times were in those days.

"Fishing was our livelihood," he said. "Sometimes we were pretty hungry but I remember hooking a three foot cod fish on one occasion and we sure had a feast that day."

And Margaret Bailey of Gary, Indiana also recalled her early life in Beaumont with a touch of emotion. She is a sister of the Fort Folly Chief.

The Ste. Ann's Picnic is traditionally held on July 26 but was set ahead one day because of the Indian Summer Games which are being held in Big Cove through to Sunday.

Rev. Coutlee explained how each year hundreds of Indians from Big Cove would go to Burnt Church to celebrate the occasion for two or three days. And he said it was on occasions such as this that Roman Catholic missionaries would come and introduce their beliefs.

During Wednesday's mass, which was the kick-off for a day of fun and celebrations, voices of tiny children blended with those of the priest. All of the collection was turned over to the Indian Island Reserve to assist with the erection of a church in their community.

A number of prominent members of the Indian population were in attendance, including Peter Barlow, who has served as Chief of the Indian Island Reserve for 49 years.

Charles Paul, vice-chairman of the Union of New Brunswick Indians, and Albert Levi, Chief of Big Cove, who recently received the Order of Canada, also attended.

Chief Bernard, the host and organizer of the Ste. Ann Picnic, said he would like to see it become an annual event and new traditions established. But he cautioned that others must become involved in its participation.

The Fort Folly Reserve is a tiny one, consisting of but 10 homes and 24 residents. Another 24 members reside off the reserve. He is assisted by two councillors- David Thomas and Alvin Bernard and a full time manager, Michael Nye.

He says all men on the reserve are employed, mainly in Moncton and Dorchester. "This is in sharp contrast to some reserves," he said. "And I believe this has come about because of our early integration in the white system and our central location which offers better opportunities for employment."

Chief Bernard says he approached nearly every level of government but was unable to obtain even one cent to help offset the cost of staging the event.

"We were even turned down by the Bicentennial Commission since our members are so small and we could not do a thing with the Dept. of Indian Affairs."

Charles Paul, meanwhile, said New Brunswick Indians are becoming more enlightened than they were even 10 years ago.

"I can recall." he said, "when the Indian Affairs representative was God. He doled out goodies and you could take them or leave them. But that is no longer the case as our members aren't afraid to criticize and pick holes in new legislation or proposals."

But he described as "insensitive" legislation regarding Indian women who marry whites and move off reserves. This would halt the practice of their losing Indian status. "We would ultimately come the same conclusion," he said, "but we do like to be consulted on such matter."

Meanwhile, Bernard said the revival of the Ste. Ann Picnic at Beaumont is the Agreatest thing that ever happened. I can recall my father dreaming of this coming about, but it's taken an awful lot of work, sweat and tears to make it become a reality.

By Wallie Sears (Correspondent)
Beaumont (Special)