Escape to nature

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As they lead you through the woods, they peacefuly speak about mother earth's gifts of the trees, plants and four-legged beings.

#For two-and-a-half hours, tourists can join guides for the mystical Escape to Nature at the Madawaska Maliseet First Nation in New Brunswick.

"We teach Maliseet meanings of plants and animals," said Eric Cimon, Maliseet guide. "We begin with a sweetgrass ceremony and sing traditional songs."

This will be the second summer the nature walks have been available to tourists and locals, and the response has been positive.

"For our first year we had 30 to 40 visitors and the Economy Development of Tourism and Culture sent a mystery visitor to check on us," said Diane Pelletier, co-ordinator. "And they gave us a very good report."

The small First Nation of 125 members developed the adventure as a way to re-establish the Maliseet traditions and language that have been lost for too long.

"It is a difficult language, but along the way we use terms from the Maliseet language to teach about the four gifts of the earth - tobacco, sage, sweetgrass, and cedar," said Cimon.

Last summer, tourists from Hong Kong, Italy, and all over Canada found their way to the Maliseet Nation, and were given a spiritual lesson.

"The Maliseet colors are yellow, black, white, and red. They represent the four races, but in the end it is one race. This is what we teach them," said Cimon. "Like some use holy water, well, we use the smoke from the sweetgrass. People say they look at us with new eyes."

The guides also teach an hour of wood crafts with hazel nuts and explain the medicinal use of the nuts.

"We teach about many things," said Cimon. "Like the White Pine tree. It's used in the Maliseet talking circle. Whoever holds the stick is the one who speaks and all others listen."

Along the walk, groups also have the opportunity to see osprey, a bird from the eagle family.

Encouraged by the positive response to the nature walks, Pelletier hopes to continue development for tourism.

"The visitors want to know more about us,"said Pelletier. "I would like to develop an Indian village with an intrepretation centre, and a traditional food experience. And maybe have Maliseet wigwams or tipis for those who would like to have a traditional sleeping experience."

On June 15 the nature walks will be available to visitors, and the guides are looking forward to their arrival.

"I feel good when I am guiding," said Cimon. "It is very spiritual for me to teach, as I learn more about my culture."