Grand Chief Ben Sylliboy Ferry. (CREDIT: Nova Scotia Government)
The new Grand Chief Ben Sylliboy Ferry has officially set sail between Inverness County and Victoria County.
The province says the Little Narrows ferry is named in honour of a well-respected leader who committed himself to serving the Mi’kmaq.
He was a residential school survivor, and a promoter of the Mi’kmaw language, culture, and spirituality.
Sylliboy also played an important role in advancing reconciliation.
“Grand Chief Ben Sylliboy served as the voice for his people for 25 years and led his community for decades. He was a steadfast leader, a wise mentor, and was highly respected by many,” says Public Works Minister Kim Masland in a news release. “We are honoured to have our new Little Narrows ferry called after him.”
Sylliboy, of We’koqma’q First Nation, died in 2017 at age 76.
The Department of Public Works held a contest involving the We’koqma’q Mi’kmaw School in Whycocomagh and the Rankin School of the Narrows in Iona to find the name.
The winning submission came from Grade 8 student August Francis at We’koqma’q Mi’kmaw School.
