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New Brunswick·Ann's Eye

Speaking for the people: First Nations national chief visits Sitansisk

Ann Paul performed with Sisters of the Drum for National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak.

Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak lunched with Sitansisk elders in April

CBC News ·
Three women stand together smiling with their arms around each other.
National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak is pictured here on a recent visit to Sitansisk (St. Mary's First Nation) with Ann Paul, left, and her mother, Elder Maggie Paul, right. 'There’s nobody who’s going to love you more than your mother,' Ann said Woodhouse told her. (Ann Paul/CBC)

This is part of a series called Ann's Eye, featuring the work of Ann Paul, a Wolastoqey content creator. You can see more Ann's Eye pieces by clicking here.

When Ann Paul heard Assembly of First Nations National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak's acceptance speech, she was starstruck.

"There is somebody that's speaking for the people," Ann recalled thinking. "People first, politicians second."

Woodhouse Nepinak, who was elected national chief in December, visited New Brunswick on April 25 to build connections with First Nations communities. 

Scroll through the photos and watch the video to find out more about Ann's experience singing for and meeting Woodhouse Nepinak. 

WATCH | What Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak had to say during a visit to Sitansisk: 

Ann's Eye: Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak visits New Brunswick

7 months ago
Duration 1:19
Assembly of First Nations National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak toured Sitansisk, also known as St. Mary's First Nation, on April 25, lunching with elders and listening to a performance from Ann Paul's singing group, Sisters of the Drum.
Six women wearing black tops stand together holding drums, their arms raised in song.
Ann Paul's singing and drumming group, Sisters of the Drum, performed for National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak during her visit. Ann, who's been with the group for almost seven years, said they sang well that day. (Ann Paul/CBC)
A woman wearing a red sweater crouches down next to a woman sitting at a table. A man with a long, grey beard stands next to them.
Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak visiting with more members of Sitansisk. (Ann Paul/CBC)
Two women wearing long skirts stand together. The woman on the right holds a painted drum.
Elder Imelda Perley told Ann to perform with one of the 13 moon drums under Imelda's care. The drums, designed by artist Natalie Sappier of Neqotkuk First Nation, represent each moon or month. In Indigenous culture, Ann said, there were 13 moon cycles in a year, not 12. 'If an elder asks you to do something, it’s pretty special.' (Ann Paul/CBC)
People gather for a group photo. Behind them is a white wall with a television attached to it.
'She seems like a person who will stand beside you in a circle,' Ann Paul said of National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak. (Ann Paul/CBC)

Ann's Eye

Photographer Ann Paul brings an Indigenous lens to stories from First Nations communities across New Brunswick. Click here or on the image below to see more of her work. 

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