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New Brunswick·Ann's Eye

Indigenous storytelling as an act of empowerment

See how a day of storytelling among New Brunswick First Nations unfolded.

Elders, artists and knowledge keepers from several First Nations in N.B. gather for a day of connection

CBC News ·
A smiling woman with her dark hair braided behind her shoulders sits at a table next to a bespectacled man wearing a yellow baseball hat.
At the Standing Together symposium hosted by Atlantic Ballet Canada, elders, knowledge keepers and artists came together to share stories. (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.

Ann Paul calls her mother, Elder Maggie Paul, an encyclopedia. 

Indigenous storytelling, Ann says, is an act of truth-telling. At Atlantic Ballet Canada's Standing Together symposium in March, people came together in Moncton from several First Nations to pass down knowledge and share stories of bravery, strength and courage. 

"That's how we look at our people," Ann said. "Just because it's not in an encyclopedia doesn't mean it's not true."

WATCH | See a room come alive with Indigenous storytelling:

The power of Indigenous storytelling

8 months ago
Duration 2:31
Artists, elders and knowledge keepers from Mi’kmaw, Wolastoqey and Peskotomuhkati nations gathered with Indigenous people in Moncton for Atlantic Ballet Canada's Standing Together Symposium.

Scroll through the photos and watch the video to see what Ann saw.

A bespectacled woman with long, white hair sits a table, smiling at a young girl with brown hair sitting next to her.
Hearing stories from older generations first-hand is more impactful, says Ann Paul. (Ann Paul/CBC)
Several people sit around a circular table with papers and pens.
'When we sit in a circle and share all our stories, that's our encyclopedia-sharing moment,' Paul says. (Ann Paul/CBC)
A table display shows several pairs of hand-designed, patterned moccasins.
These are the ballet slippers that were used during a performance at the beginning of the symposium about Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. (Ann Paul/CBC)
A bespectacled woman with long, white hair leans over a table in conversation.
Stories are not all about violence, Paul says. There's also joy and laughter. (Ann Paul/CBC)
Three smiling women hold hands in a line dance.
Elder Maggie Paul 'sending everybody off in a good way,' Paul says, with a travelling song and a dance. (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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