Province to give $90,000 to Mi’kmaw communities for community events

The province is giving $90,000 in grants to several Mi’kmaw communities to support community-led gatherings.

Some of the funding will support powwows, also known as mawio’mi, which celebrate the language, traditions, and culture of Mi’kmaw people through storytelling, music, dance ceremonies, according to a news release. The funding will fund other types of events as well.

Since 2014 the Bear Rivers Harvesters Gathering has been held annually in October, which is Mi’kmaw History Month in Nova Scotia. Chief Carol Dee Potter says it typically starts with lighting a four-day sacred fire, a smudge and a prayer. Through the week, they eat to sustain their bodies, she said, and do multiple activities, followed by a potluck to end 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,” wrote Potter in the release.

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

The province announced the funding on Friday.

“We are honoured to support activities promoting reconciliation, education and the celebration of Mi’kmaw heritage while fostering mutual understanding and respect,” wrote Brain Wong, Minister of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage, in the news release.