POSTPONED Presentation: Suliewey: The Sequel to My Indian


Date: Sep 30
2:30 pm - 3:30 pm
Where: Theatre

Special Presentation: Suliewey: The Sequel to My Indian with authors Chief Mi’sel Joe and Sheila O’Neill

Join Mi’kmaq authors, Chief Mi’sel Joe and Sheila O’Neill for a special presentation on their latest novel, Suliewey: The Sequel to My Indian. This work continues the story of Mi’kmaw guide Sylvester Joe, whose traditional name is Suliewey, as he seeks out the last remaining Beothuk community.

In My Indian, Sylvester was hired by William Cormack in 1822 to guide him across Newfoundland in search of Beothuk encampments. In fact, he followed the advice of his Elders and guided Cormack away from the Beothuk.

In this sequel, having parted ways with Cormack at St. George’s Bay, Sylvester decides to go out on his own, in search of the winter camp of the last of the remaining Beothuk.

Written as fiction by two Mi’kmaw authors, Suliewey supports Mi’kmaw oral history of friendly relationships with the Beothuk.

The novel reclaims the settler narrative that the Beothuk and the Mi’kmaq of Newfoundland were enemies and represents an existing kinship between the Mi’kmaq and the Beothuk.

Rich in oral history, the descriptions of traditional ceremonies and sacred medicines, the use of Mi’kmaw language, and the teachings of two-spirit place readers on the land and embed them in the strong relationships described throughout the book.

This is a free event but a ticket is required. Please reserve your free ticket online or by calling (709)757-8090.

About the Authors:

Sheila O’Neill is from Kippens, NL, and is a member of Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation. Sheila is a mother and grandmother and has a solid background in Indigenous issues and post-secondary education. Sheila is a Drum Carrier and carries many teachings passed down by respected Elders. As a founding member and past President of the Newfoundland Aboriginal Women’s Network (NAWN), she has been part of a grassroots movement of empowerment of Indigenous women within the island portion of Newfoundland and Labrador. An experienced educator, Sheila has worked as a communications instructor with College of the North Atlantic (CNA) in both Newfoundland and Labrador and Doha, Qatar. Sheila holds a BA and BEd, both from Memorial University. She lives in St. John’s.

Saqamaw Mi’sel Joe, LLD, CM, is the author of Muinji’j Becomes a Man and My Indian. He has been the District Traditional Chief of Miawpukek First Nation since 1983, appointed by the late Grand Chief Donald Marshall. Mi’sel Joe is considered the Spiritual Chief of the Mi’kmaq of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Presented in partnership with Breakwater Books. 

This special presentation is part of several activities at The Rooms to mark September 30, the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, and part of ongoing year-round programs highlighting Indigenous histories, perspectives and cultures.

Events & Programs

9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Summer Camp

Save The Date – Online Registration Opening Soon!

Registration Dates:

  • Rooms Members: Tuesday, March 18 at 10:00 AM
  • Non-Members: Thursday, March 20 at 10:00 AM
     

A “Get Tickets” button will appear on this page when registration opens. Online registration only.

Once you've completed your online registration, please download the Registration Form and submit it to RoomsOrders@therooms.ca to complete your registration. 

Adventures Await!
Get ready for an unforgettable summer! The Rooms will be offering exciting 5-day camps for 8 weeks, filled with creativity, exploration, and fun.

Who Can Attend?
Camp K-3: Open to campers who have completed Kindergarten to Grade 3 by June 2025. 
Camp 4-6: Open to campers who have completed Grades 4 to 6 by June 2025. 
(No Exceptions)

What to Expect?
Each week, campers will dive into inspiring exhibitions and collections, with activities focused on creative expression through engaging daily themes.

Camp Details!
Cost: $265 Per Week + HST.
10% Discount for Rooms Members (Member Number Required)

Schedule:
Camp Hours: Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Drop-off: Between 8:45 AM – 9:00 AM
Pick-up: Between 4:00 PM – 4:30 PM

Mark your calendars and get ready for an amazing summer at The Rooms!

10:30 am - 11:00 am
Tour

Join us each day for an interpretive guided tour in one of our galleries. From the story of the Cod fishery to visiting a current art exhibition to a Family Rainbow tour, there is something for everyone. 

Each tour is approximately 30 – 40 minutes and is included in the cost of admission. Free for Rooms members.

Beyond the Trenches: The Role of Newfoundland Women during The First World War

April of 2025 marked the one-hundred-year anniversary of women in Newfoundland winning the right to vote. The suffrage movement was substantially aided by the contributions of Newfoundland women, at home and overseas, during the First World War. Come and find out about their stories, experiences, and roles.

2:30 pm - 3:00 pm
Tour

Join us each day for an interpretive guided tour in one of our galleries. From the story of the Cod fishery to visiting a current art exhibition to a Family Rainbow tour, there is something for everyone. 

Each tour is approximately 30 – 40 minutes and is included in the cost of admission. Free for Rooms members.

Auks, Wolves and Whales

What fills the void when a species is no more? Legends, folklore, and history worth learning from. Come listen to the stories of the Great Auk, the Newfoundland Wolf, and Endangered Whales as they echo across the ages through their body and bones. Commiserate with the extinct, heed the calls of the endangered, hold ossified bones, and see how artists transform tragedy into hope for a sustainable future.

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6:00 pm - 6:30 pm
Tour

Join us each day for an interpretive guided tour in one of our galleries. From the story of the Cod fishery to visiting a current art exhibition to a Family Rainbow tour, there is something for everyone. 

Each tour is approximately 30 – 40 minutes and is included in the cost of admission. Free for Rooms members.

Peoples of Newfoundland and Labrador

Stroll across land and sea, and through time, to meet the peoples who have made Newfoundland and Labrador home for the past 9,000 years.