Aboriginal Cultural Center opens in Barrington

By Kathy Johnson

THE COAST GUARD

NovaNewsNow.com

An Aboriginal Culture Center celebrating both Mi’kmaq and Wampanoag heritage has opened in Barrington.

Dedicated to the late Charlie Labrador, who was the first chief of Acadia First Nation, the centre in located upstairs in the historic Barrington Court House.

From an arrowhead collection given to Sou’West Nova Métis Council Chief Louise Ross by her Eastern American Wampanoag counterparts, to an authentic birch bark canoe and wigwam made by Liverpool Mi’kmaq Richard MacKinnon, the center boosts an eye appealing and informative display. “This museum represents from about 1750 to 1530 so we’re jumping back a few more hundred years than the other museums in the area,” said Tony Cunningham, provincial captain of the hunt for the Sou’West Métis Council and one of the volunteers who will be working at the cultural center this summer.

Cunningham, whose aboriginal name is Dancing Crow, has crafted over the years many of the items on display at the centre in the way of his forefathers, including pipes, walking sticks, spears, knives and hand drums. “This is an important part of our history,” said Cunningham, adding the center can teach the younger generation how the aboriginal peoples once lived .

Documentation and photographs on Nova Scotia Wampanoag and Mi’kmaq heritage round out the center’s collection.

The Aboriginal Culture Center will be open until the end of August, from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday to Saturday, and from 1 to 5:30 p.m. on Sundays. No admission is charged but donations are welcomed.