Gary Simon
Gary Simon is a fluent Mi’kmaw speaking Elder, taught the old ways and raised by William & Irene Simon of Elsipogtog. In his youth he built his own home and lived off-grid for 7 years hunting, fishing, gathering and growing his own food. Gary is one of the founding members of the 1971 Big Cove Indian Dancers. Gary is also a strong advocate for the resurgence of Mi’kmaw Treaty Rights, having participated in 3 marathon canoe trips paddling over 3000 miles altogether. Gary is dedicated to language revitalization through a group he administrates called Nkusuaqnminal, meaning “our words”, where he shares deeper meanings of Mi’kmaw words.
1981 Canoe Trip - Boston USA to Elsipogtog First Nation
Celebrating the 44th anniversary of the Canoe Trip from Boston to Elsipogtog, to bring awareness to the history of Wabanaki trade routes that existed before confederation of the USA and Canada. Sharing pictures and retelling the adventures of the 1981 Canoe Trip. They started from Boston Massachusetts on May 15th, 1981 and finally landed 35 days later at Virginia Park in Big Cove on June 19th, 1981. Paddlers: Gary Simon, Johnny Pioux, Maxwell Francis, Tony Sanipass, Edmund Francis, Chiefy Mills, Sammy Sapiel, Mark Howe, Clarence Jr. Joseph, Ernie Knockwood, Ben Bonspile, and Kenny Cloud.