Saint Anne is the patron of Indigenous Canadians and this began, arguably, with devotion to Saint Anne among the Mik'maq. Devotion to Saint Anne among the Mik'maq is widespread, She is absolutely beloved, She is known as the Grandmother of the Mik'maq.
In 1610 Grand Chief Membertou, along with twenty one members of his family, converted to Catholicism. While we can speculate on the conviction of his conversion, we do know that Grand Chief Membertou converted to solidify his relationships and trading with the French colonists. In 1628 Saint Anne was chosen as the patron saint of the Mik'maq.
Every year on the feast day of Saint Anne many Mik'maq will make a pilgrimage to Mniku (Chapel Island) off the coast of Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. Mniku traditionally has always had deep significance among the Mik'maq it being where the yearly gathering of the Mik'maq Grand Council, as it is still done, would take place on Mniku.
The Mik'maq will have a procession and gather at Saint Anne's Church. A Mass of Saint Anne is performed in the church and from there dancing, singing, community gathering and feasting are done outside the church.
A custom done by the Women's Council during the feast of Saint Anne is to wash Her statue with cloth which is then cut into strips that are given out to members of the community. Saint Anne's Ribbons are believed to provide protection, healing, and to uplift the receiver. The ribbons are word around the wrist or ankle.
Another custom performed during the feast day of Saint Anne is Her statue will be carried in procession to "the stone", a boulder on which it's said a French priest said the first Mass on Mniku. There the Santé Mawi'omi (Mik'maq Grand Council) members will offer words of wisdom as will the priest of Saint Anne's Church.
Photos:
1. Saint Anne's statue, draped in a traditional Mik'maq woman's cloak and rabbit fur, carried in procession. 2. Procession to Saint Anne's Church. 3. Dancing and singing in front of Saint Anne's Church. 4. Saint Anne's Ribbons on a picture of Mniku (Chapel Island).
