Embedded Files
About the artist- Melissa Peter-Paul
"Melissa is a Mi’kmaw woman from Abegweit First Nation, located on Epekwitk (PEI.) Growing up, Melissa was immersed in cultural teachings and was surrounded by a family of basket makers. She began her artistic expression at a young age, making regalia and beadwork, and is skilled in both traditional and contemporary styles. Melissa’s exposure to other Mi’kmaq artforms led her to quillwork, a traditional skill in which the ancestors of her maternal grandfather excelled. Melissa was accepted into an apprenticeship with Mi’kmaq Quill Art in 2015. Her training was grounded in the traditional insertion technique and utilized the study of both cultural teachings and formal material culture resources available through historic publications and museums. Quillwork is created by inserting porcupine quills, either dyed or kept natural, into birchbark. The pieces are then edged with quills, sweetgrass or spruce root. Over the course of her apprenticeship, Melissa learned techniques and protocols related to harvesting raw materials, as well as the complex geometry of traditional design work. Upon completion of her apprenticeship, Melissa has been integral in establishing a community of skilled quill workers. This community of quillers seeks to expand awareness of the artform and recently began working on collaborative projects. Melissa launched her professional career as a Mi’kmaq quill artist with her first solo exhibit at Receiver Coffee presented by This Town is Small in Charlottetown in 2019. She is heavily influenced by 20th century Mi’kmaw quillwork and she is supported in her harvesting efforts by her family. Melissa is proud to be passing the art on to her two sons and the broader community.
Here is a video of Ms. Peter-Paul teaching quillwork techniques to make an 8 pointed star
About Mi'Kma'Ki
"Mi'kma'ki is composed of the traditional and current territories, of the Mi'kmaq people, in what is now known as Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and eastern Quebec, Canada. It is shared by an inter-Nation forum among Mi'kmaq First Nations and is divided into seven geographical and traditional districts with Taqamkuk being separately represented as an eighth district, formerly joined with Unama'ki (Cape Breton). Mi'kma'ki and the Mi'kmaw Nation are one of the confederated entities within the Wabanaki Confederacy."
Wikipedia Oct, 3, 2024
What is a land acknowledgment and what can they teach us?
What is a land acknowledgment and what can they teach us?
"An Indigenous land acknowledgment is an effort to recognize the Indigenous past, present, and future of a particular location and to understand our own place within that relationship." https://www.uwinnipeg.ca/criminal-justice/land-acknowledgment.html
Land acknowledgments can:
"[they] remind us we are accountable to these relationships and to remind us every day, for example in school systems, of the accountability that everybody has to listen to the concerns of the community and how we can align to our [Indigenous] communit[ties],"
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/territorial-acknowledgements-indigenous-1.4175136Remind us of the healing that might be possible if we act to fulfill the recommendations from Indigenous leaders in the Truth and Reconciliation reports- individually and collectively.
When not followed by actions land acknowledgements can:
Allow individuals and institutions to "appear" to be doing the positive work mentioned above, without any doing any real learning or making any positive changes.
redirect valuable resources that could benefit the lives of Indigenous peoples.
Our land acknowledgment was created to remind us- in a beautiful way- of truths that must be deeply understood before reconciliation can take root. It represents a foundational learning for our diverse school community and we encourage all who engage with it to consider it as a prompt towards actions that result in a more equitable world for all.
Mi'kmaq Treaties: an ancient practice of peacemaking
Mi'kmaq Treaties: an ancient practice of peacemaking
"For thousands of years the Mi’kmaq have maintained deep and sophisticated knowledge about Mi’kma’ki: its animals, plants, habitats, weather, tides, seasons, cycles, landscapes and seascapes. This knowledge about Mi’kma’ki is contained in the language and the stories and has been passed on for many generations." https://www.mikmaweydebert.ca/home/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Mikmaki.pdf. "These histories and ways of knowing and being have existed here in this specific place for at least ten thousand years (based on archeological evidence). The "Mi'kmaq forged treaties with other nations long before the arrival of European settlers. Those treaties serve as powerful examples of governance and leadership able to create and maintain longstanding, peaceful relations between nations.
Between 1725 and 1779, Britain signed a series of treaties (known as the Peace and Friendship Treaties) with the Mi’kmaq. A treaty is a solemn agreement, like a contract. When two parties sign a treaty, they are making long-standing promises that [should] benefit both parties". "The Peace and Friendship Treaties remain in effect today". https://novascotia.ca/treaty-education/treaty-education-brochure.pdf
What does "We are all Treaty People" or Muiuatmu'kl msit kinu Ankukamkowe'l mean?
What does "We are all Treaty People" or Muiuatmu'kl msit kinu Ankukamkowe'l mean?
"Treaties reflect the diverse relationships that exist across Canada, from coast to coast to coast. They were crafted to address region-specific issues at different times and continue to impact the relationships that we see today. They are enshrined in the Canadian constitution and are based on the Royal Proclamation of 1776". https://facingcanada.facinghistory.org/four-classroom-lessons-for-treaties-recognition-week
As residents benefitting from these treaties, we can be considered as people responsible for upholding these treaty promises and therefore we are "treaty people". “We are all treaty people” suggests that all people have equal treaty rights and responsibilities but over time we can see that Indigenous peoples have not benefitted equally or equitably from these treaties. Learning more about what it means to be "treaty people" is intended to help guide us towards actively respecting those rights and responsibilities.
NOTE: “We are all treaty people” is a phrase used to remind us of these agreements that have helped form Canada, but when we look nationally this is not always true: Much of British Columbia is without treaty, and in the Territories there are other agreements like the creation of Nunavut, that serve to demonstrate different ways of being in good relations. It is important that we understand the role and significance of treaties - and consider the importance and implications of non-treatied lands and territorial agreements - our responsibility to these important agreements and the ramifications of not having them or not honouring them".
From: https://facingcanada.facinghistory.org/four-classroom-lessons-for-treaties-recognition-week
Note for teachers: the website listed above is from Ontario but offers some activities that could be adapted for learning more about treaties in Nova Scotia.
"It is also important to recognize that African Nova Scotians are a distinct people whose histories, legacies and contributions have enriched that part of Mi'kma'ki known as Nova Scotia for over 400 years. African Nova Scotian contributions to Nova Scotia and Canada began over 150 years before Canada became a country. African Nova Scotians came to the province through enslavement or through fleeing enslavement elsewhere, and continue to experience all manner of structural, systemic, and individual discrimination. African Nova Scotians' relationships to these historic treaties should be considered with careful attention to the contexts of these injustices". https://www.dal.ca/about/mission-vision-values/african-nova-scotian-connections/african-nova-scotian-acknowledgement.html
What does "unceded territory" mean?
"During the period of contact and cooperation, Mi’kmaq and the British Crown signed a series of written Peace and Friendship Treaties called the Covenant Chain of Treaties (1725 and 1779). These Treaties are about mutual peace, respect, and prosperity. They were based on a shared understanding of interdependence, trade, and sovereignty between two Nations. Importantly, Mi’kmaq never 'ceded' (gave up control) of land in any of these Treaties. Mi’kmaw lawyer, activist, and scholar Pam Palmater emphasizes that:
""the treaties we signed are often referred to as the peace and friendship
treaties, but they are much more than that. They are some of the most
significant nation-to-nation treaties ever signed on this continent because
the Mi’kmaq never surrendered anything in return for the treaty promises.
We simply committed to refrain from war with the Crown and to live in
peace with settlers. (Palmater 2016, 32) There was no surrender of
Mi’kmaq territory. There was no surrender of our traditional occupations
or economic endeavours. There was certainly no agreement to surrender
our sovereignty and independence to the Crown. We agreed to be allied
nations and all that entails. These agreements applied to both His Majesty’s
heirs and Mi’kmaw heirs, forever. (Palmater 2016, 34)"".
How can we honour the past, present, and futures of Mi'kma'ki?
How can we honour the past, present, and futures of Mi'kma'ki?
Past:
Honouring History and Ancestral Knowledge
Acknowledge Treaty Rights and Truth
- Seek out primary sources of information when learning about Mi'kmaq culture.
- Learn about and honour the Peace and Friendship Treaties (e.g., the 1752 Treaty).
- Acknowledge that Mi’kma’ki is unceded territory
Support Truth and Reconciliation Efforts
- Engage with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action and the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG). These documents call for many changes and require public support for those changes to take place.
- Demonstrate support for and respect for Mi’kmaq ways of knowing and being in schools and workplaces.
Ceremonial Offerings and Indigenous Protocols
- When participating in events or gatherings, learn about local Indigenous protocols (e.g., offering tobacco or other sacred gifts to Mi’kmaq knowledge holders or Elders).
- Mark important dates such as Treaty Day (October 1) and Orange Shirt Day (September 30) to remember and honor the legacies of colonialism and resilience.
Present:
Supporting Mi’kmaw Leadership and Sovereignty Today
Center Mi'kmaw Voices and Leadership
- Support and follow the guidance of Mi’kmaq leaders, Elders, and youth on issues related to land, water, and governance.
- Create empowered leadership positions for Mi’kmaq representatives in local decision-making, such as municipal or school councils.
Advocate for Land Stewardship and Justice
- Stand in (educated) solidarity with Indigenous-led environmental movements, such as those protecting land and water from resource extraction
- Learn about or participate in events such as sacred water walks
Learn About and Support Mi’kmaq Language and Culture
- Language carries deep cultural knowledge. Learn some Mi'kmaq words and phrases, especially those used for greetings or land acknowledgements.
- Support Mi'kmaq artists, authors, and businesses to help sustain culture and community. Check out Indigenous markets or craft fairs featuring Mi'kmaq art, music, and literature.
Futures:
Building Reciprocal Relationships and Shared Futures
Embrace the Concept of “Two-Eyed Seeing”
- Adopt the principle of Etuaptmumk (Two-Eyed Seeing), introduced by Mi’kmaw Elder Albert Marshall. This wisdom teaches us to see the world through both Indigenous and Western worldviews, valuing the strengths of both ways of knowing.
- Seek out and support initiatives with innovative, respectful, and reciprocal applications of Indigenous ecological knowledge (e.g., climate resilience, biodiversity preservation)
Support Food Sovereignty and Decolonized Economies
- Help restore Indigenous food sovereignty by supporting Mi’kmaq efforts to reclaim traditional harvesting practices, such as fishing, hunting, and foraging in ways consistent with Netukulimk.
- Support food security initiatives led by Mi’kmaq groups.
Intergenerational Knowledge Sharing
- Support spaces where youth can learn from Elders about cultural practices, language, and land stewardship, ensuring the continuity of Mi’kmaq identity.
- Promote and engage in co-learning initiatives, where Indigenous and non-Indigenous people can work together for mutual understanding, environmental protection, and cultural celebration.
Concrete Actions You Can Take Today
- Attend events like mawiomi, workshops, or Mi'kmaq ceremonies with respect and open mindedness.
- Volunteer with Indigenous-led organizations working in health, education, or environment.
- Use land acknowledgements meaningfully in your personal and professional spaces.
- Advocate for legal and policy changes that support Indigenous sovereignty and treaty rights.
- Contribute to Indigenous-led initiatives that support Mi'kmaq communities.
Acknowledgements
We offer thanks to the Education and Early Childhood Development Mi’kmaw Services Branch who awarded a ReconciliACTION grant to Wendy Lawrence (Indigenous Student Support) in her ongoing leadership of building a home for Mi'kmak culture at Halifax West High School. This work was done in collaboration with Robin Jensen from Halifax Regional Arts.
With gratitude for Melissa Peter-Paul and her gracious permission to use an image of her quillwork as a powerful visual lesson in the past-present- and futures of Mi'kmaq ways of knowing and being.
Thanks to the administration of Halifax West High School for supporting the important project.
With thanks to the citizens of Halifax, and their support for Halifax Regional Arts and its ongoing work to create access to arts education in Halifax Regional Centre for Education.
We offer thanks to Mattatall Signs for creating this installation.
Resources from Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission:
https://humanrights.novascotia.ca/news-events/news/2024/statement-chair-mi%E2%80%99kmaq-history-month#:~:text=Get%20Involved,yourself%20about%20our%20treaty%20relationships.
Fact sheet, Peace and Friendship Treaties in the Maritimes and Gaspe
Mi'kmaw language teachings from Bernie Francis (CBC/YouTube)
United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
Resources used to create this webpage: https://cdn.prod.websitefiles.com/615b595cf4181d3c26e24867/646269408cf70db1f3fa0d66_treaty_resource_feb28_web%20(1).pdf
https://novascotia.ca/treaty-education/treaty-education-brochure.pdf
https://facingcanada.facinghistory.org/four-classroom-lessons-for-treaties-recognition-week
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