"I go by canoe" - gwitna'm

I've always loved to canoe. There is something quintessentially Canadian about the dip and splash of a paddle on a clear, glassy lake. Early morning or at dusk, it just seems to peaceful. I find myself humming French-Canadian paddle songs (C'est l'aviron") or wishing I knew an appropriate native tune. Every summer, we go to a lake in the interior, and I have great memories of paddling around with my kids. Lately, my wife and I have been kayaking. (The photo is us!) Reading about Mi'kmaq culture, and Mattie's canoe makes me think this love of water is somehow in my genes! (Canoes and culture, Mi'kmaq canoe )

mia'wj - the cat

My son Nathanael and his wife have two cats. When casting about for names, Nathan thought it would be fun to give one of them a Mi'kmaq name, just so he could use at least one traditional word everyday! They decided simply to call her "cat" which is the word mia'wj She's quite adorable and very smart too! (She's the dark one in the photo.)