For graduate student Terrie Drew, “my family” is “my culture.”
by Michele Barney Hutchins
Terrie Drew with her great-grandmother Madeline Knockwood's hand-beaded dress. Photo by John Hession.
Toboggan—not only is it a New England icon, but it is a New England term. However, its origin might surprise you. It comes from the Mi’ kmaq’ or Micmac word taba’gan. As we all know, it is a flat sled with its signature curve at the front end, used to slide down a snow-covered slope. It is just one example of how our collective heritage links the present to the past, and just by looking in our own backyard, we find we are surrounded by riches.
That’s exactly what Theresa “Terrie” Drew demonstrated with a presentation of her great-grandmother’s regalia, arts and crafts at a Heritage Studies workshop, Surrounded by Riches … Enhancing curriculum through the materials of our communities, past and present, at Plymouth State University in April.
As a Micmac tribal member, Drew’s heritage is part of her everyday life. The Micmac (meaning “my family”) are indigenous to the Canadian Maritimes and Northern Maine. Drew hopes to share her tribe’s rich history and influence in New England, as well as help preserve the cultural heritage of all Native Americans, which is why she is working toward her master’s of education in heritage studies at Plymouth State University.
Madeline “Joe” Knockwood, or “Kiju” as Drew referred to her great-grandmother, made and beaded her own dress, and would have worn it for specific tribal functions or while speaking on behalf of the tribe. “She was a very proper woman,” says Drew. She also made a headband, as she did not care for the traditional Micmac hat, which resembles a Dutch cap but without the flaps on the side. Given the Dutch were among the early European settlers in Nova Scotia, the influence is understandable, Drew adds.
“Her regalia really should be in a museum,” Drew admits, “but we don’t want to donate it. Phillips Academy in Andover, Mass., had a yearlong display on the Micmac and we lent them her regalia for that exhibition.”
Knockwood was also known for her wooden roses. Drew points out that you can buy similar ones just about anywhere these days, but her great-grandmother was the originator, carving them mostly out of ash. She was awarded a purple ribbon from the Heard Museum in Phoenix, Ariz., recognizing her as an Outstanding Craftsman.
Drew’s maternal family is from Nova Scotia—her mother has returned to live on a reservation in Shubenacadie, Nova Scotia after living in New England for 50 years. Her mother is fluent in the Micmac language, and Drew and her sister, Sue, understand the language, as evidenced by the message on their answering machine. Their mother recorded it and, translated, it means, “Greetings. We’re not here. Leave a message.”
While her mother is a reservation Indian, Drew is a self-described urban Indian. As a Micmac tribal member, she has free border crossing rights between the United States and Canada, as granted by the Jay Treaty of 1794. She explains the issues faced by today’s Micmac are the same as those facing any Native American tribe, but the celebrations of culture are different, such as mourning practices, rites of passage and social structures.
Originating in the Canadian Maritimes, the Micmac were largely skilled fishermen and hunters. They are also well known for their baskets, canoes and crafts, and particularly their quillwork. Porcupine quills are used to decorate clothes, jewelry, shoes and crafts.
While the Micmac had their own religious traditions and believed in a Great Spirit, overall the tribe has been Christianized, says Drew. “St. Anne, Jesus’ grandmother, is the patron saint of the Micmac, and St. Anne’s Day is one of importance to the Micmac. There is the annual pilgrimage to Sainte Anne de Beaupré, usually in June. Since the early 1600s, people have traveled to the place north of Quebec City where miracles have happened.” Drew, her sister and mother, usually make the journey in August.
A crossover between tribal and Christian beliefs is apparent when the Micmac honor the passing of a loved one. Drew explains, “We wake people in their own home, with an open casket whenever possible. A family member sits with the deceased 24 hours a day for four (sometimes up to seven) days. At the same time, a sacred fire burns in the yard for four days and nights, as smoke is what lifts the spirit of the deceased to the Great Spirit, and it takes four days to get there.”
Other tribal icons include the eagle, because it flies closest to the heavens, and powwows. As with any Native American powwow, it is a spiritual gathering with a sacred fire, storytellers, artisans and traditional food. A lot of different stews are served, some featuring moose, duck, deer, eel and ground gourds.
Drew’s presentation in April was an opportunity to celebrate her Native American heritage. With fondness, she shared an opportunity she had last September to revel in it. “My mother, sister and I marched in the procession from the Capitol to the new National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C., on its opening day. We were in full regalia and the atmosphere was so good. You could feel the positive energy. As my sister said, ‘It was a good day to be Indian’.”
As for what’s next, Drew is not completely sure. She is completing an internship with the Franconia Heritage Museum in Franconia, N.H., as part of her degree work. Eventually, Drew says she hopes to get back to Boston and work at the Indian Center, a cultural resource center for Native Americans. She previously ran a youth program there and helped raise cultural awareness. While she may not be following exactly in her great-grandmother’s footsteps, Drew is well on her way to retracing them, and explaining to others their significance in contributing to our cultural riches.
