Funding for Mi’kmaw Community Gatherings

October 4, 2024

Mi’kmaw communities across the province will receive support for community-led gatherings with provincial grants announced today, October 4.

“As we celebrate Mi’kmaw History Month, we recognize the culture, history, heritage, traditions and contributions of the Mi’kmaw people, as well as the Peace and Friendship Treaties that still remain in effect today,” said Brian Wong, Minister of L’nu Affairs, on behalf of Allan MacMaster, Minister of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage. “We are honoured to support activities promoting reconciliation, education and the celebration of Mi’kmaw heritage while fostering mutual understanding and respect.”

A mawio’mi (powwow) is a traditional gathering of people to celebrate Mi’kmaw culture, traditions and language through storytelling, music, dance and ceremonial activities.

Communities receiving provincial grants:

• Acadia First Nation – $10,000 for the Gold River Powwow
• Annapolis Valley First Nation – $10,000 for the annual Strawberry Mawio’mi
• Bear River First Nation – $10,000 for the Harvesters Gathering
• Glooscap First Nation – $10,000 for the 2024 Mawio’mi
• Millbrook Band Council – $10,000 for the We’kopekwitk Competition Powwow
• Sipekne’katik First Nation – $10,000 for the annual Mawio’mi
• Wagmatcook Culture & Heritage Centre – $10,000 for the Wagmatcook Mawio’mi-Powwow Intertribal Gathering 2024
• We’koqma’q First Nation – $10,000 for the annual Mawio’mi
• Membertou Band Council – $5,000 for the annual Powwow
• Pictou Landing Band Council – $5,000 for the annual Mawio’mi

Quotes:

“Since 2014, the Harvesters Gathering is held annually in the month of October. The gathering starts with the lighting of a four-day sacred fire, a smudge and a prayer. Throughout the week, we have meals to sustain our bodies, multiple activities and a potluck supper at the end to close off the week. We take this time to appreciate our hunters, gatherers and medicine carriers. This is a community-driven event where we can celebrate our elders, youth and providers and everyone gets to see and participate in this form of respect and ceremony.”
— Chief Carol Dee Potter, Bear River First Nation

Quick Facts:

• October is Mi’kmaw History Month in Nova Scotia

Additional Resources:

Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage grants and programs: https://cch.novascotia.ca/investing-in-our-future

Online grant finder tool: https://beta.novascotia.ca/find-grants-offered-through-department-communities-culture-tourism-and-heritage

Mi’kmaw History Month: https://mikmaqhistorymonth.ca

Treaty Education Nova Scotia: https://novascotia.ca/treaty-education

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