Premières Nations

Avant de partir du Cameroun en 1981, Before leaving Cameroun in 1981,

It was in front of this house that we spoke about this project.

This was me then.

This is my dad and my mom.

This is his passeport picture when he went to Paris because he was seek

I love this picture of my dad.

I was in front of my dad house that you see in the picture in septembre 1981 when this project was born. He was speaking with me about this project. He told me many things and among them was this story for a project that he dreams on. I promessed him to make it happen and ask him to help me in his prayers. This  stayed in my mind for ever.

In the 60' my dad, as a school inspector of french protestant primaries schools  went to Luisiana Baton Rouge invited par the Peace Crop an international organisation who was helping him to pay teachers. During that trip, he met with one American First Nation man. He said to him that he was from Cree Nation.  He said to my dad that his ancestors were living in North America for long time or forever. As for his family  ancestors they lived in Minesota , North Dakota and Montana.  He came to Luisiana to find a job. And he was a fisherman. And the name of that First Nation American man was Joseph Thossel. I keeped it in my mind.

 In the 60' he was around 60 years old. My dad was in his late 30'. My dad then told him about Africa and Cameroon.  And specialy Makak our village. 

He was very interested and wanted to go in Cameroon with my dad to see Makak village. My dad then couldnot do any thing for that because of the cost of it.

My dad told him about Bassa tribe,  one of the oldest one in Central Africa. One day, he shows many pow-wow pictures to my dad.  My dad was very interrested to see it. And he promise to my dad that if he comes back to America, he will bring him to see a Pow-Wow.

My dad never went back because protestants schools became public schools and my dad was transfered to a government job. My dad was one of the first teacher in the village.

Then that morning before going to take the train in Makak and plane to the capital  coming to Canada, my dad told me this:

- My daughter I know that where you are going in Canada, you will see many First Nation people. And if you see Cree Nation, invite the youth here to see the village and to do special activities with youth here.  

Please make sure to build a bridge between a First Nation Cree with Makak and Bassa  people. We have many many things to share. Joseph and I will then be happy in heaven. Because I know that it will ot be easy.

Then I came to Canada, study, worked, and after 25 years, that project came to my mind again. 


I first present it to the Pabineau chief in New-Brunswick hepeld by Denis a friend from another First nation. I then learned that they were Micmac and wonderfull people. I also spoke with a Micmac Chief in Charlottetown, send an email to the national Chief, and everey one was interested but we didnot got results yet.

I never gave up. That was in 2006. I participated in a Pow-Wow in Charlottetown and love it. Always. I know that the Big spirit will one day help 
me.

Picture of Charlottetown Pow-Wow . I was there. I took theses pictures.

....August 2012, after thinking again: I hope to work with the new elected schoolboard to keep going with the project.