Library Opening at Maupeltuewey Kina'matno'kuom

On November 28^th, 2018, Judy San the President along with David Leung, Vice President, Peter Cheng, Treasurer and Secretary, Dominic Chung, Volunteer and representatives from Martin Family Initiative travelled  to Sydney, Nova Scotia. The purpose of the trip was   to perform a library opening ceremony at the Maupeltuewey Kina'matno'kuom school.

The team got a chance to learn about the history and culture of Memento through introductory and educational films.  The people in the community were all extremely welcoming and generous and were happy to share their insight.

Unfortunately, the school was closed due to severe weather conditions. However, due to the kindness of the principal and the staff from the school, they were there to warmly greet Fu Hui and allowed the ceremony to continue even without the students.  

Fu Hui team toured the classrooms and discussed different topics relating to the students and the school itself. Fu Hui president Judy San cut the ribbon with the principal Sharon Bernard and presented a plaque to commemorate the event. In addition, Fu Hui had created hundreds of maple leaf bookmarks for the students with Mi’kmaq phrases on them which we gave to the school to distribute. The school in return gave Fu Hui several booklets filled with thank you letters from the students, and four pieces of framed indigenous artwork. an eagle feather, and a hand made drum.

The library in specific, displayed that a great deal of thought and care went into the design, construction, and furnishing of it. It was colorfully decorated and had thousands of books of all types for the children, and a hospitable and cheerful atmosphere. Their library card/shelf marker system was creative and pragmatic. One could easily imagine that the children would be delighted to spend hours reading inside that library; and a brief flip through the students’ thank you letters show how it is already a reality.

The principal of the school, Sharon Bernard, and her staff were caring and motivated people who viewed the students’ wellbeing as their utmost priority. We learned from Darren Googoo , the director of education of Membertou, that this  school had a 95% attendance rate and graduation rate, whereas some other indigenous schools struggle to get 70%.

The team departed the school in high spirits even though they were not able to see the students.