'We too bloom': Wabanaki communities gather in Maine to celebrate spring - Action News
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New BrunswickAnn's Eye

'We too bloom': Wabanaki communities gather in Maine to celebrate spring

The Wabanaki Spring Social is a reminder that the long winter is over, says CBC contributor Ann Paul.

Wabanaki Spring Social brings people together after a long winter

A group of women wearing colourful dresses and skirts stand together holding hand drums.
Ann Paul said her favourite part of the Wabanaki Spring Social was singing with women from the Passamaquoddy Tribe, the community her mother grew up in. (Submitted by Lynn Amakehs Mitchell)

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.

The days are getting longer and brighter, and kisuhs (the sun) is shining once again.

The Wabanaki Spring Social is a reminder that the long winter is over, said CBC contributor Ann Paul.

She went to the event, hosted by Penobscot Nation on Indian Island in Maine, where friends and families of the five Wabanaki territories gathered to see each other, many of them for the first time since last fall or even the pandemic.

WATCH | See how the Wabanaki community celebrates spring with drumming, dancing and traditional dress:

Anns Eye | Penobscot Nation in Maine hosts its 25th annual Wabanaki Spring Social

2 years ago
Duration 3:21
Friends and families of the five Wabanaki territories gathered in Maine to reunite after a long winter, many seeing each other for the first time since the pandemic

"Like the flowers and all of creation we too bloom, and it's now time to prepare for a powwow season," Paul said.

Scroll through the photos and watch the video to see the Wabanaki Spring Social, held on April 8, through Ann's Eye.

A woman with long dark hair and a jean jacket takes a selfie in a gym, many people standing behind her.
It was Ann Paul's sixth time going to the Wabanaki Spring Social in Maine, which itself was celebrating its 25th annual year. (Ann Paul/CBC)
A man stands in a gym wearing a head dress and a floor-length red garment.
While not everyone wore traditional dress, Ann Paul said the Wabanaki Spring Social was like a mini powwow a reminder that powwow season is about to begin. (Ann Paul/CBC)
A woman wearing a white t-shirt and yellow skirt and a woman wearing a black shirt and pink skirt stand together smiling.
People came from as far as Quebec to attend the Wabanaki Spring Social in Maine. (Ann Paul/CBC)
A group of children sit in a circle around a drum, each one holding a drumstick.
Ann Paul said coming away from the Wabanaki Spring Social is like when a flower opens itself up. "Youre so excited, youre so rejuvenated. Youve got yourself going until the next one. Youve got enough energy," she said. (Ann Paul/CBC)
A young child in a yellow dress walks beside an older woman wearing a colourful, printed skirt.
The Wabanaki Spring Social is also for young people to get together and socialize, Ann Paul said. (Ann Paul/CBC)
A large drum with
Drumming groups from all of the different Wabanaki territories played at the Wabanaki Spring Social. (Ann Paul/CBC)
A group of people sit in a circle around a drum, each holding a drumstick.
People were on standby to give drummers water if they needed it. (Ann Paul/CBC)

Ann's Eye

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

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