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Mi'kmaq History Month

Wi’kipatmu’k Mi’kmawey/Honouring of the Mi’kmaw Way.

Each October, community activities, events, sharing, and showcasing the Mi’kmaw history take place across Nova Scotia.

Treaty Day

In 1986, the then Grand Chief Donald Marshall Sr. proclaimed every October 1st as Treaty DayÌýto commemorateÌýthe key role of treaties in the relationship between the Nova Scotia Mi’kmaq and the Crown.

The annual ceremony reaffirms the historic presence of the Mi’kmaw who have occupied the land for thousands of years. The Mi’kmaq Nation and the crown also exchange gifts to mark each October 1st. By celebrating Treaty Day, we are giving thanks to the Mi’kmaw and the Crown for signing treaties of peace and friendship.

People continue to gather in Halifax, and their home communities, on October 1st to participate and enjoy various cultural events in celebration of Treaty Day. It is a reunion for many Mi’kmaq and a time for people to learn a part of Nova Scotia’s 12,000-year-old history.Ìý

Events

From lectures to workshops to dance lessons, Dal hosts a series of Mi'kmaq History Month events each year.

September 30Ìý

Mi'kmawitasik Market

Pier 21 (Kenneth Rowe Room) between 1:00pm-6:30pmÌý

Explore unique Indigenous creations, including traditional art, jewelry, and crafts—all telling the story of Mi;kmaw culture and heritage. After shopping, stay for the Cultural Showcase, featuring live performances that celebrate Indigenous talent and Mi;kmaw culture. Come shop, celebrate and connect with Indigenous culture and craftsmanship!ÌýÌý

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September 30Ìý

Veterans ParadeÌý

Barrington Street at 1:15pmÌý

The Veterans Parade will travel along Barrington Street from Government House to Peace and Friendship Park, where councillor Waye Mason will read the city’s Treaty Day proclamation at 1:30pm. Ìý

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October 1

Mi’kmaw Church ServiceÌý

Saint Mary's Cathedral Basilica at 10:30amÌý

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October 1

Annual Treaty Day Community Feast and CelebrationÌý

Sipekne'katik Mawoi'mi Abor and Grounds between 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Sipekne'katik will host our Annual Treaty Day Community Feast and Celebrations for all community and outside sister communities with a traditional menu which includes but not limited to salmon, moose meat, lobster and traditional bread Luski. Cultural events hosted by Elders and Knowledge Keepers to teach traditional Mi'kmaq practices.Ìý

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October 1

Birch Bark Canoe Launch

Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site at 10:00am

Mi’kmaq artisan, Todd Labrador, his family, and the Kejimkujik team launch a 21-foot birch bark canoe built this summer at the birch bark canoe shopÌý

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October 1-30

Mi’kmaq History Month Gathering of our Mi’kmaq Honoring Kji Saqmaw Membertou

Ponhook Mi'kmaw Communty Memorial Park 10:00am-3:00 pm

Wasoqopa'q First Nation is unique in the fact that the whole First Nation encompasses communities. This event will take place in the Ponhook Mi'kmaw Community, this event will be for all of our community members living on reserve and off reserve the opportunity to come together with other Mi'kmaw of Nova Scotia.Ìý

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October 5Ìý

Wasoqopa’q First Nation Harvest Feast

Rose Purdy Recreation Field between 1:00 pm - 10:00 pm

The Wasoqopa'q First Nation Harvest Feast will be held on October 5th, with festivities starting at 1:00 PM at the Rose Purdy Recreation Field. The event will feature traditional Mi'kmaw dance, crafts, a Big Bounce, and a Bingo Bonanza, along with live music from The Relatives. Food will be served from 2:00 to 3:30 PM, […]Ìý

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October 11

Family Fun Day at the Mi'kmaw Native Friendship Centre

Mi'kmaw Native Friendship Centre between 12:00pm-3:00pm

Join us for interactive cultural activities for the whole family!Ìý

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October 16

Annual Mawio'miÌý

Â鶹´«Ã½ in the Studley Quad (McInnes Room Rain Location) between 10:00am-3:00pm

The Â鶹´«Ã½ Mawio’mi, now in it's 14th year, was started by a group of Indigenous students wanting to connect and share their culture within the Â鶹´«Ã½ space. Today, the Indigenous Student Centre manages the Mawio'mi with the help of community, students, and staff. Each year the big drum, dancers, vendors, and other performers gather to celebrate and share culture on the Studley Quad (McInnes Room Rain Location). This is the largest Indigenous event on campus, with opportunity to meet Mi’kmaq and other Indigenous attendees, take part in culture, purchase from unique vendors, and enjoy lunch.Ìý

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October 20

Tuesday Night Talk: Peter J Clair

Maritime Museum of the Atlantic at 6:30pmÌý

Mi’kmaw artists are creating a wide range of imaginative and beautiful work using the skills and traditions of basketry weaving given to them by their elders and ancestors. Peter J Clair is one of nine artists presented in The Art of Mi’kmaw Basketry (FORMAC publishing), which was released in 2023.Ìý

Learning resources

If you are aware of additional resources not included here, please contact hres@dal.ca.

  • Amazing L'nu'k : A Celebration of the People of Mi'kma'ki by Julie Pellissier-Lush & Robin Grant
  • Language of this Land Mi'kma'ki by Trudy Sable
  • Mi'kmaq Medicines: Remedies and Recollections by Laurie Lacey
  • Epekwitk: Mi'kmaq Poetry From Prince Edward Island by Julie Pellissier-lush
  • Song of Rita Joe: Autobiography of a Mi'kmaq Poet by Rita Joe
  • Taapoategl & Pallet: A Mi'kmaq Journey of Loss & Survival by Peter J Clair
  • Mi'kmaq Treaties on Trial: History, Land, and Donald Marshall Junior by William C. Wicken
  • The Marshall Decision and Native Rights: The Marshall Decision and Mi'kmaq Rights in the Maritimes by Ken Coates
  • Real Justice: Convicted for Being Mi'kmaq: The story of Donald Marshall Jr. by Bill Swan
  • Mi'kmaq Puoinaq Two Spirit Medicine: Sexuality and Gender Variance, Spirituality and Culture by Joseph Randolph Bowers and Daniel N Paul
  • Indian School Road: Legacies of the Shubenacadie Residential School by Chris Benjamin
  • Living Treaties: Narrating Mi'kmaw Treaty Relations by Marie Battiste
  • My Mi'kmaq Mother Nkij by Julie Pellissier-Lush
  • Visiting With Our Mi'kmaq Elders by Jasen Sylvester Benwah & Benoit First Nation
  • The Art of Mi'kmaw Basketry by shalan joudry
  • Mitji- Let's Eat!: Mi'kmaq Recipes from Sikniktuk by Margaret Augustine & Dr. Lauren Beck
  • Doug Knockwood, Mi'kmaw Elder: Stories, Memories, Reflections by Doug Knockwood
  • Stories From the Six Worlds: Mi'kmaw Legends by Ruth Holmes Whitehead

  • Muinji'j Asks Why: The Story Of The Mi'kmaq And The Shubenacadie
  • Seeds of Spring by Christopher Coquard
  • Mi’kmaw Wisisk = Mi’kmaw Animals by Alan Syliboy
  • Counting in Mi’kmaw by Loretta Gould
  • Muin and the Seven Bird Hunters: A Mi’kmaw Night Sky Story by Kisi Amalwi’kmi’tij
  • Kepmite’taqney Ktapekiaqn – Le chant d’honneur – The Honour Song by Gregory Paul
  • Walking Together by Elder Dr. Albert D. Marshall & Louise Zimanyi
  • Mi’kmaw Moons: The Seasons in Mi'kma'ki by Cathy LeBlanc & David Chapman
  • Mi'kmaq Campfire Stories of Prince Edward Island by Julie Pellissier-Lush
  • The Sharing Circle: Stories about First Nations Culture by Theresa Meuse
  • Mi'kmaw Animals by Alan Syliboy
  • Mi'kmaw Daily Drum: Mi'kmaw Culture for Every Day of the Week by Alan Syliboy
  • Come, Walk With Me by Nyanza Julian
  • I Lost My Talk by Rita Joe

  • with Steven Vanloffeld and Glenn Wheeler
  • with Annie ClairÌý


  • by the Mi’Kmaq History Month Committee
  • Nova Scotia Museum's Mi'kmaq Portraits Collection
  • Niniskamijinaqik / Ancestral Images: The Mi'kmaq in Art and Photography by Ruth Holmes Whitehead
  • L'Nu'k: The People: Mi'kmaw History, Culture and Heritage by Theresa Meuse

  • Ìý

  • (Digital Map)
  • by Montreal Urban Aboriginal Community Strategy NetworkÌý