Special events/meetings/written:

“I (we) would like to begin by acknowledging that we are in Mi’kma’ki, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq People. This territory is covered by the “Treaties of Peace and Friendship” which Mi’kmaq and Wolastoqiyik (Maliseet) People first signed with the British Crown in 1725. The treaties did not deal with surrender of lands and resources, but instead recognized Mi’kmaw and Wolastoqiyik (Maliseet) title and established the rules for what was to be an ongoing relationship between nations.”

Daily use:

“I (we) would like to begin by acknowledging that we are in Mi’kma’ki, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq People.”

Pronunciation:

Mi’kma’ki – Meegmagee

Mi’kmaq/Mi’kmaw - Meegmaw

Wolastoqiyik – Woolastuk

Definitions:

Mi’kma’ki – Ancestral territory of the Mi’kmaq People (NS, NB, PEI, Gaspe of Quebec)

Wolastoqiyik – “People of the beautiful river” Indigenous Peoples living along the St. John River (NB)

Unceded – Never surrendered, unyielded. Refers to land and resources in the acknowledgement.

Treaty – A formally concluded and ratified agreement between nations.

If you have any questions about the Land Acknowledgement or would like further explanation on the meaning behind the acknowledgement please feel free to get in touch.

Wela’lioq,