INDIAN POINT - Ellen Hunt used her body to protect a lighter's flame to set a sacred herb on fire. As soon as the smouldering sweetgrass bellowed smoke from the small receptacle she held in her hand the smudging ceremony began.In an effort to bless and remove negativity from everyone who gathered at Indian Point, Ms Hunt used an eagle feather attempting to waft smoke onto each person.
The smudging ceremony took place on a special occasion on the morning of June 21. Not only was it National Aboriginal Day, this day also marked the culmination of five years of work by the Mi'kmaq Burial Grounds Research and Restoration Association. Its goal is to permanently recognize Mi'kmaq ancestors who are buried throughout Lunenburg County, including at Indian Point.
"It's for the community. It is for us," said Ms Hunt about the erected stone. "Bless our monument that represents our Mi'kmaq people who are buried at the point."
Through records it was discovered that members of the Cope and Pennal families are known to have been buried at Indian Point. Many of those buried died in LaHave and other settlements in Lunenburg County.
The stone panel at the site includes not only the names of the deceased interred at the burial ground, but also a survey map completed in 1786 by Charles Morris showing the site.
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