Indigenous people were always in Saint John this is a reminder [Video]

This is part of a series called Ann’s Eye, featuring the work of Ann Paul, a Wolastoqey content creator. You can see more Ann’s Eye pieces by clicking here.

In July, Possesom Paul of Sitansisk First Nation and Drae Aluk Stevens of Oromocto First Nation teamed up to tie pieces of red cotton around fence posts and street lamps in uptown Saint John. 

“It’s to to remind people that this is the land where we come from,” Paul said. “That’s what the red cloth is for.”

Ann Paul covered the event for CBC News. Scroll through the photos and watch the video to see what she saw.

WATCH | Possesom Paul and Drae Stevens explain the meaning of the red ties: Possesom Paul and Drae Aluk Stevens teamed up to place sacred ties throughout uptown Saint John as a reminder that Indigenous people lived in the region long before colonization.