October is Mi'kmaw History Month
Posted by Kimberley Dares on
October is Mi'kmaw History Month, the officially designated month to recognize and celebrate Mi’kmaw culture and heritage. Mi'kmaw history month begins each day on Treaty Day (October 1). There are a number of events planned throughout the month - view them here.
This year the poster for Mi'kmaw History Month celebrates Mi’kmaw sports, traditional games and pastimes. The annual posters are a great starting point for building knowledge and understanding - you can find the full poster archive on the Mi'kmaw History Month website.
Treaty of 1752 (From the Mi'kmaw History Month website):
When the English arrived in Mi’kma’ki (the Mi’kmaq homeland that includes present-day Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, central and eastern New Brunswick, the Gaspe Peninsula and Newfoundland) the Mi’kmaq and the Crown signed treaties of peace and friendship so they could live in harmony and peace.
The 1752 Treaty showed the Crown’s intentions to make peace, provide trading posts, and protect the land and way of life for the Mi’kmaw people. The Treaty also designated October 1st as the date on which the Mi’kmaw people would receive gifts from the Crown to “renew their friendship and submissions.”
A Video from Mi'kmawey Debert Cultural Centre:
"In honour of all Survivors and Descendants for National Truth and Reconciliation Day 2023, we present this video in collaboration between the MDCC IRS Legacy Program and Parks Canada. The MDCC IRS Legacy Program is dedicated to commemorating the former school site, archiving materials as requested by Survivors and Descendants, developing educational resources for teachers and learners, and sharing exhibits and programs at the future Centre.
To those who shared their voices, wela'liek (thank you) for your honesty and your generosity.
**Video: Content Warning** Anyone experiencing pain or distress related to Residential School experiences can call the national 24-hour hotline at 1-866-925-4419"
Watch the full video here: https://youtu.be/T5176YRvcVA
RESOURCES
- Mi’kmawey Debert Cultural Centre mikmaweydebert.ca
- L’Nu’k: The People: Mi'kmaw History, Culture & Heritage by Theresa Meuse
- Truth and Conviction: Donald Marshall Jr and the Mi’kmaw Fight for Justice by Jane McMillian
- Wolverine & Little Thunder: An Eel Fishing Story by Alan Syliboy
- Counting in Mi’kmaw by Loretta Gould
- L'nui'suti: Mi'kmaw Language App (Apple & Android)
- Nova Scotia Archives: archives.novascotia.ca/mikmaq/ Links to many historical documents, including many treaties.
- The Mi'kmaq Anthology by Lesley Choyce, Rita Joe
- The Journey of the Mi'kmaq (YouTube video)
The Trainyard acknowledges that we live, work and play in Mi'kma'ki, the unceded territory of the Mi'kmaq People. This territory is covered by the “Treaties of Peace and Friendship” which Mi’kmaq Wəlastəkwiyik (Maliseet), and Passamaquoddy Peoples first signed with the British Crown in 1726.