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On Campus

Meet Mount Allison's own Ambearrister, Maurina Beedle

University joins First Nations Caring Society's Spirit Bear program in support of reconciliation

 

Ambearrister Maurina Beedle鈥淭here鈥檚 a new face on the Mount Allison campus this term. The University welcomed its own 鈥楢mbearrister鈥 鈥 Maurina 鈥 as part of the Spirit Bear program. Arriving on campus just before the holidays, Maurina, a stuffed bear, is named after Maurina Beedle, a Mi鈥檏maw Elder from Pictou, NS. She received her spirit name, meaning Girl of the Wild Flowers, in a ceremony held on campus with Elders from Unamaki and Elsipogtog First Nations communities.

Through the ceremony, the Elders found that our Maurina is a free spirit who loves children and being in nature,鈥 explains Patty Musgrave-Quinn, Mount Allison's Indigenous affairs co-ordinator. 鈥淚t was these characteristics that helped bring her namesake. Maurina holds the spirit of the Wi鈥檏latmu鈥檍, who are known as 鈥楾he Little People鈥 in Mi鈥檏maw legends. The Wi鈥檏latmu鈥檍 have been in Mi鈥檏ma鈥檏i for thousands of years and are known as tiny tricksters with magical powers who work to teach us lessons.鈥

Maurina鈥檚 protector and warrior is the Eagle, which represents clarity and love.

With the First Nations Caring Society鈥檚 guidance and led by the University鈥檚 Indigenous Affairs Office, Maurina will embark on a number of initiatives and events throughout the year in support of reconciliation efforts. These include attending meetings of the University鈥檚 Indigenous Advisory Circle and campus events such as smudging ceremonies and gatherings in the University鈥檚 sweat lodge. Maurina, along with Musgrave, is also taking an introductory class in Mi鈥檏maq language with instructor Joan Milliea this term.