North Sydney Library Hosts Seminars on Mi’kmaw Culture

The North Sydney Library is set to host a series of free educational seminars focusing on Mi’kmaw culture and history, starting on October 7, 2023. Coinciding with Mi’kmaw History Month in Nova Scotia, these sessions aim to foster a deeper understanding of the profound influence the Mi’kmaw people have had on Canada.

Retired Mi’kmaw Studies teacher Bryan Sweeney, along with local Mi’kmaw Elders, will lead the seminars. “This will be a reflective time for us to acknowledge the profound impact the Mi’kmaw people have had on Canada as a nation,” Sweeney stated. He emphasized the importance of recognizing the Mi’kmaw as one of the original nations to engage with European sailors, highlighting their vital role in shaping relationships between distinct cultures.

The seminars will utilize the guiding principles of Etuaptmumk, or Two-Eyed Seeing, a concept developed by Eskasoni Elder Albert Marshall. This approach aims to integrate multiple perspectives for better outcomes, ensuring that participants benefit from both Indigenous and non-Indigenous viewpoints.

Seminar Schedule and Topics

The first session, taking place on October 7, will cover “Pre-Contact: Mi’kmaq/L’nu, their Land and Territory.” Subsequent sessions will delve into significant topics including “The Creation Story and Mi’kmaw Ceremonies” on October 14, and “Post-contact and the Impact of the Doctrine of Discovery, Colonialism and Assimilation” on October 21.

On October 28, the fourth session will explore “Post-Contact, Treaties, the Royal Proclamation of 1763, Legislation and the Indian Act.” The final seminar on November 5 will focus on the “Role and Progress of Reconciliation and Decolonization.” Each session will run from 18:30 to 19:45.

While pre-registration via email at [email protected] is encouraged, all community members are welcome to attend. Sweeney expressed a desire for inclusivity, stating, “Everyone is welcome to come to learn and process reconciliation and how colonization has affected everyone living in Cape Breton, Indigenous and non-Indigenous alike.”

The series is sponsored by the Adventist Reconciliation Ministries of North Sydney, underscoring the community’s commitment to fostering understanding and dialogue surrounding Indigenous issues.

This initiative not only promotes education but also serves as a crucial step towards reconciliation in the region, providing a platform for shared learning and respect among cultures.