Live & Strategic Illustration for Tobique First Nation

Julia Bakay
Sep 1
2 min read

Updated: Sep 23

Discovering Tobique First Nation (Neqotkuk)

Nestled along the northern shore of the Tobique River, where it joins the Wolastoq (Saint John) River, Tobique First Nation - known in Wolastoqey as Neqotkuk - is one of six Wolastoqiyik (Maliseet) communities in New Brunswick, Canada. Home to approximately 2,479 registered members as of 2018, Tobique is proud to be the largest rural Wolastoqiyik reserve in the province.

The First Nation’s name, Wolastoqiyik Neqotkuk, reflects deep river ties - the Wolastoqiyik, or “People of the Bright River,” have thrived in this landscape since time immemorial.

Find out more on Tobique First Nation's Website!

What Is the Wolastoqey Language - and Why It Matters

Wolastoqey (also referred to as Wolastoqiyik, Maliseet, or Malecite) is an Eastern Algonquian language spoken across New Brunswick, parts of Quebec, and Maine.

Despite centuries of presence, the language now sits on the endangered list. In Canada, only about 350 people identified Wolastoqey as their mother tongue in the 2016 Census and fewer than 100 fluent speakers.

This decline reflects a broader trend of cultural and linguistic erosion; and this is crucial as language is identity, memory, and connection to ancestors.

Live Illustration at Tobique First Nation's Language Planning Session

I had the immense honour of joining a Wolastoqey language planning session and do live illustration. The experience felt both intimate and urgent - a room alive with stories, elders’ wisdom, and strategic ideas - I found myself in a flow state the whole time.

Crafting a Strategic Visual: The 9 Goals for Language Revitalization

Strategic Illustration for Tobique First Nation

From that session emerged a Strategic Visual, detailing nine goals for language revitalization - each illustrated with thoughtful simplicity. These nine goals are the following:

Providing Mutual Support
Intergenerational Activities
Ensure funding to support language learning
Immersion & Exposure
Wolastoqey in Education
Daily Micro-Learning
Connecting Language with Learning of Culture & History
Band & Political Leadership
Coordinating Community Funds

The visual offered clarity, emotional weight, and an accessible roadmap, not only for planners in the room but for the wider community.

These visuals were developed in creative collaboration with Dr. Darrah Beaver, citizen of Neqotkuk (Tobique) First Nation, working in Indigenous Language Revitalization Planning, and owner of Qapit Indigenous Consulting Services.

Being the Artist supporting Tobique First Nation

Working on the visual strategy for those nine goals was more than an art assignment - it felt like being witness to a revival in motion. I feel so honoured to have worked with Tobique First Nation as their strategic & live illustrator for this great cause.

If you're new here, hello - I'm Julia Bakay, the Keynote Artist.

Equipped with a unique background in Education, Fine Art, Organizational Leadership and Systems Thinking, I support organizations with my visual skills & talents.