by George Paul

Mi’kmaw Family and Children’s Services of Nova Scotia is honoured to present a Christmas feature story of a foster family who works together to raise their kids. Our story begin with of course Kiju (Grandma).

Like every celebrity icon, they usually go by one name, like Madonna or Cher. Well Eskasoni has one such icon and she goes by the name of Sugar. Madeline “Sugar” Poulette is a well-known Mi’kmaw elder from Eskasoni. Sugar is multi-talented in the performing arts, the art of storytelling, sharing her Mi’kmaw knowledge and especially teaching the traditional dice game of waltes. She is loved by so many because of her youthful persona and her playful sense of humour.

At age 70 years young, Sugar grew up in Membertou and married at a young age of 18 to the love of his life, Walter. She moved to Eskasoni and they raise two beautiful hard working daughters, Cindy and Menia. Sugar and Walter were married for almost 50 year. Walter passed away in October of 2016.

Sugar and Walter married in 1969 but they didn’t have a home till 1971. Sugar will never forget her first home, “Our first house was a shanty, it used to be a basket shop. Walter put a stove and fridge in it. It was the size of this kitchen, with no running water or bathroom,” said Sugar.

A few years later Sugar and Walter got a new home. Sugar said, “Living with Walter we were always busy. Walter was a pulp man but he did so much more in order to put food on the table. ...

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