The Coady Chair in Social Justice honours the spirit of Dr. Rev. Moses Coady and the leaders of the Antigonish Movement by bridging local and global concerns, involving the community, and encouraging an interdisciplinary approach to issues. The Chair is an important means to deepen St. Francis Xavier (StFX) University’s commitment to its service to society’s mission, to develop student’s understanding and sense of social responsibility, and to support the Coady International Institute as a centre for global citizen leadership and social justice at StFX. Key elements of the Chair include public presentations, seminars and workshops held on campus by thought leaders/activists that bring students, faculty, community members and citizen-leaders together for shared learning.

2016: Alan Syliboy is an internationally renowned Mi’kmaw artist, filmmaker, musician and social justice advocate whose works have inspired renewed community pride in Mi’kmaw culture and heritage.

Based on Mi’kmaw artist Alan Syliboy’s spectacular mixedmedia exhibit of the same name,
 The  Thundermaker brings to vivid life the story of Little Thunder. Readers will be transported
by Syliboy’s bold, petroglyph inspiredillustrations, as Little  Thunder’s father, Big Thunder, teaches him the important responsibility of making thunder for his people.  As Little Thunder grows, he learns about his Mi’kmaw identity through his father’s teachings and his mother’s traditional stories. When the
day  finally comes, readers will root for him as he takes his journey—with the mischievous
Wolverine— to finally become the Thundermaker. Does Little Thunder have what it takes to
become Big  Thunder?

Book Review

“If you’re looking for a beautiful book to share with a child you love, I recommend this. I would’ve given it to my daugher at 2 for a book to be read cuddled together, and I suspect she’d have enjoyed having it read to her as long as we read aloud together.

The story comes from Mi’kmaw legend and is wonderfully retold by Mi’kmaw artist Alan Syliboy, whose terrific illustrations are on every page. It’s a great story for children, because they learn that they can be powerful – and that with power comes responsibility.

We would like to announce the first release of 4 new songs by Alan Syliboy and The Thundermakers now available for purchase via the below link. We are hoping to release many more in the near future. I would like to thank everyone for their support!!

https://alansyliboyandthethundermakers.bandcamp.com/releases

Upcoming Performances for Alan Syliboy & The Thundermakers– 2017

Nova Scotia Music Week 2017…..Saturday November 4, 2017.
Marigold Cutural Centre
Doors: 6:30 PM
Alan Syliboy and The Thundermakers 7:00 PM 7:30 PM
Stewart Legere 7:45 PM 8:15 PM
Kim Harris 8:30 PM 9:00 PM
Devarrow 9:15 PM 9:45 PM
Rose Cousins 10:00 PM 11:30 PM

Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre presents:

“Mawita’jik – Let Us Gather” Halifax Commons June 21, 2017

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Stan Rogers June 30th, July 1st & 2nd 2017

http://www.stanfest.com/artists/alan-syliboy-and-the-thundermakers/ 

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Lunenburg Folk Harbour Festival August 10, 2017

http://www.cbc.ca/player/play/903939651823

For tour dates and further information please open the following link http://thundermaker.ca/

The thunder maker is the story of Little Thunder from childhood that he spent with his mother who tells him of stories that are continued from generation to generation and is the thread that ties them together, making every Mi’kmaq aware of their identity and their place in the world. The he spends all his time with his father, learning to become a provider and that someday he will become the Thunder Maker. The Little Thunder graphic novel will be published by Gaspereau Press. The graphic novel will be illustrated on 3′ by 5′ panels that will form a circle. The inner circle will tell the story of Little Thunder’s first years taught by his mother. When the circle is completed, there will be a tent flap. You enter through this doorway and Little Thunder is now being taught by his father, Big Thunder, and panel by panel will tell the story of how Little Thunder learned to become the new Thunder Maker, until you come to a tipi that has the story of Little Thunder and how he made thunder for the first time. Through this final doorway, you’ll be there to witness this event.