Welcome to the Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre’s Archives

We are thrilled to share the Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre’s Archives. that will help share the history of the Mi’kmaq people in Mi’kma’ki. Our goal is to share the often overlooked stories of our culture, passed down through oral traditions like stories, songs, and dances. These archives allow everyone to hear our language and songs, see our dances, and learn directly from those who have always lived here.

Overview on Terms of Use

All of the interviews offered in this collection are approved to be shared by the individual interviewee or surviving family members. Each recording and transcript include information regarding how to cite the material, as well as information about the person, place, project, date, and resulting publication or resource if any. Some supplemental material, such as biographies, Mi’kmaw translations of terms and text, and pictures, are included with hopes of adding more in the coming years. Special thanks to Kenny Prosper and Bernie Francis for their support and their translations of terms and text into the Smith/Francis orthography.

Since a great deal of time and effort has gone into this project with more to come, we would like to make the following request regarding its Terms of Use:

1. Our primary objective is to make this material available to Mi’kmaw community members and organizations for use in whatever ways would further the knowledge of their history and culture and promote the wellbeing of future generations.
2. For researchers and educators not of Mi’kmaw descent, and who are interested in the use of any of this material for non-commercial or not-for-profit purposes, we would like to request you contact us with the intended uses and outcomes for your research or project by filling out the attached short form. This helps us (the MNFC and its Board of Directors) to understand the benefits of your research.
3. If the material is being used for commercial publications, films, on-line materials, or other data gathering or generating uses, we ask to be contacted directly for permission. We may request a fee be paid for its use. The fee will be invested in a youth capacity fund to support Mi’kmaw youth training in research and archival skills development.

Whatever the use of the material, donations to the MNFC are welcome to support our ongoing work.

*See below for contact information

- Video
Peggy Thayer & the Micmac Traditional Dancers

Location: Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre
- Audio
Maxwell Francis Interview Elsipogtog First Nation. January 12, 2006

Project: Native Dance Project, Carleton University CIRCLE Institute, Ottawa
Participants: Gary Joseph and Maxwell Francis; Trudy Sable SMU Project Director
Location: Elsipotog/Big Cove First Nation, New Brunswick.
Date: January 12, 2006
- Audio
Explanation of Ta’n Weji-sqalia’tiek Recording with Dr. Bernie Francis by Dr. Trudy Sable

Recording and transcription by Dr. Trudy Sable, Autumn 2023. In response to Sable’s request for the history and explanation of the term, Ta’n Weji-sqalia’tiek. Initially, it was to assist students in understanding the Mi’kmaq relationship to the landscape of Eastern Canada as part of an Indigenous Peoples of Canada course co-taught by Dr. Sable and Dr. Roger Lewis at Saint Mary’s University.
Eskasoni Cultural Week, Eskasoni School

Cultural Awareness Week, Eskasoni School
Organized by: Dr. Marie Battiste and Elizabeth Marshall, dance competition organizer
Date: May 27 - 31, 1991
Location: Eskasoni First Nation
Film Footage of Chapel Island Mission and Membertou, 1957-1963
Earth, Sky, and Water: An Evening of Mi'kmaw Dancing, Chanting and Drumming

Organized by: Trudy Sable as part of Shambhala International’s Joining Heaven and Earth Celebrations
Participants: Sarah Denny, Vivian Basque, and the Mi’kmaw Traditional Dancers followed by Vaughan Doucette and the Free Spirit Drummers
Date: May 17, 1995
Location: Halifax, NS
Interview with Ron Prosper [Hammonds Plains/Sipekne’katik]

Project: Nova Scotia Museum Urban Indigenous Peoples Research Project for “This is What I Wish You Knew” Exhibit, 2017
Participants: Ronnie Prosper, Trudy Sable and Kenneth Prosper
Date: March 2017
Location: Kjipuktuk/Halifax, NS
- Video
Eskasoni Powwow, 1996

Participants: Eskasoni Community
Date: Jun. 28, 1996
Location: Eskissoqnik First Nation
Citation: Sable, Trudy, 1996. Eskissoqnik (Eskasoni) First Nation Pow wow, June 1996. Trudy Sable Collection, Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre Archives, Halifax, Nova Scotia
Archive Collection: The Mi'kmaq of Nova Scotia Archives Collection - Curated by Dr. Trudy Sable
- Audio
Vaughan Doucette - Free Spirit Drum Group on Mi'kmaw Songs

Keywords: activist, AIM, anthropologist, Birch Creek singers, break-through album, Conne River, Dancing Eagle drummers, Eagle Honour Song, Eastern Eagle drummers, Mi'kmaw words, Passamaquoddy Pine Needle Dance Song, praying, Sioux drum traditions, Sɨpekne’katik, smudging, Sulian Herney, Tom Paul, traditional music, training drummers, Wounded Knee second seige
Archive Collection: The Mi'kmaq of Nova Scotia Archives Collection - Curated by Dr. Trudy Sable
Participants: Mike Doucette, Garry Knockwood, Vaughan Doucette, Anthony Morris, Darrel Morris, Roy Herney, Greg Marr.
Date: 1993
Location: Sɨpekne’katik (Shubenacadie) First Nation, Nova Scotia. Introduction: Eskissoqnik (Eskasoni First Nation), Nova Scotia
Citation: Free Spirit Drummers (1993). Free Spirit Micmac Songs, Sunshine Records, 1993, with Introduction by Vaughan Doucette 2021. Trudy Sable Collection, Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre Archives, Halifax, Nova Scotia.
- Video
Mi'kmaw Language Discussion

Keywords: Animacy and In-animacy, Cross-Cultural Science, Development of Smith/Francis Orthography, Fluid Nature of Language, History of Language, Holophrastic Aspect of Language, Notion of Creator, Seasons
Participants: Bernie Francis, Doug Smith, Harold McGee, Ruth Whitehead, Trudy Sable, Bernadette Johnson, and Margaret Walsh. Katherine Sorbey, Helen Sylliboy and David Schmidt were partial attendees
Date: Sep. 30, 1994
Location: Ramada Inn, Dartmouth Nova Scotia, session organized by Trudy Sable during Native Council of Nova Scotia Annual meeting
Files: Dr. Bernie Francis Biography & Photos, Doug Smith Biography & Photos, Mi’kmaw Translation (partial): Mi’kmaw Language Discussion
Citation: Sable, Trudy (1994). Mi’kmaw Language Discussion with Bernie Francis and Doug Smith. Trudy Sable Collection, DTS ARCHIVE 306, Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre Archives, Halifax, Nova Scotia
Archive Collection: The Mi'kmaq of Nova Scotia Archives Collection - Curated by Dr. Trudy Sable
- Video
Heritage Day Wagmatcook (Waqmɨtkuk),1991

Keywords: Acadian History, Alden Alex, Children Dancing, Crafts, Fiddling, Joel Denny, Joey Gould, Murdena Marshall, Rickey Gould, Sarah Denny, songs, Step Dancing, Wilfred Prosper
Participants: School Children, Elders, Musicians, Dancers, Drummers, Crafts People
Date: Feb. 22, 1991
Location: Wagmatcookewey School
Citation: Sable, Trudy (1991) Wagmatcook (Waqmɨtkuk) Heritage Day, February 22. 1991. Trudy Sable Collection. Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre Archives, Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Archive Collection: The Mi'kmaq of Nova Scotia Archives Collection - Curated by Dr. Trudy Sable
- Video
Baha'i Peggy Thayer and the Micmac Traditional Dancers

Participants: Noel Knockwood and Tuma Beadle (opening ceremony) and Peggy Thayer and the Micmac (Mi’kmaw) Traditional Dancers,
Date: March 21, 1991
Location: Prince Andrew High Auditorium, Dartmouth, N.S. for Baha’i New Year
Files: Short History of the Micmac (Mi’kmaw) Traditional Dancers
Citation: Sable, Trudy (1991). Video of Peggy Thayer and the Micmac Traditional Dancers, March 21, 1991, Baha’i New Year, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. Trudy Sable Collection, DTS Archives #301, Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre Archives, Halifax, Nova Scotia
Archive Collection: The Mi'kmaq of Nova Scotia Archives Collection - Curated by Dr. Trudy Sable
- Video
Pestia’wa’taqtink (Naming Ceremony)

Note: Sound quality of the video is poor due to the general noise at the event.

Participants: Dr. Marie Battiste (Organiser), Trudy Sable
Date: Jun. 6, 1992
Location: Eskissoqnik (Eskasoni) First Nation
Citation: Sable, Trudy (1992). Videotape of Pestie’wa’taqatimk (Naming Ceremony), Eskissoqnik First Nation, Marie Battiste Organizer June 6, 1992. Trudy Sable Collection, Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre Archives, Halifax, Nova Scotia
Archive Collection: The Mi'kmaq of Nova Scotia Archives Collection - Curated by Dr. Trudy Sable
Archiving of the video was sponsored by the Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia, with funding from the Department of Canadian Heritage, Aboriginal Language Initiatives Program.
- Video
“Siawi-a’tukwey: I am Continuing to Tell My Story”

Drummers: (Sons of Membertou) Darryl Bernard, George Christmas, Victor Christmas, Lincoln Gould, Ray Marshall, Darren Marshall, Shane Paul, George Smith, Michael Herney
Presenters: Dr. Margaret Johnson and Caroline Gould (Basket Weaving); Wilfred Prosper and Dr. Bernie Francis (Language Scholars); Christine Brooks (Opening Prayers and Wooden Flowers); Eileen Brooks (Dream Catchers): Sandra Simon (Traditional Porcupine Quillwork); Alan Sylliboy (Painting); Dr. Daniel Paul (Book signing for “We Are Not the Savages”; Smudge and guest drummer: Vaughan Doucette; Mi’kmaw Native Children’s Dancers, Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre.
Date: Nov. 5, 1993
Location: Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, Halifax, N.S.
Citation: Sable, Trudy (1993). Videotape of Siawa’tukwey: Let Me Continue M Story. Art Gallery of Nova Scotia - Fifth Annual Family Weekend, November 5-7, 1993. Trudy Sable Collection, Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre Archives, Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Archive Collection: The Mi'kmaq of Nova Scotia Archives Collection - Curated by Dr. Trudy Sable
Participants:
Special Events Chairperson: Julie Ross
Videotaped by: Trudy Sable
- Video
Eskasoni Cultural Evening

Participants: Content: Drama Group Performance of the Kluskap story of Mikjikj (Turtle); Mi’kmaw Traditional Dress Contest and Fashion Show, MCed by Mrs. Ida Denny; Essay Contest, “Mi’kmaw Cultural Heroes”; Mi’kmaw Dancers
Videographer: Trudy Sable
Date: Jun. 20, 1993
Location: Eskasoni Elementary and Middle School, Eskissoqnik (Eskasoni) First Nation
Citation: Sable, Trudy (1993). Eskasoni Cultural Evening, Eskasoni Elementary and Middle School, June 20, 1993; Trudy Sable Collection, Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre Archives, Halifax, Nova Scotia
Archive Collection: The Mi'kmaq of Nova Scotia Archives Collection - Curated by Dr. Trudy Sable
- Audio
Dr. Margaret (Granny) Johnson Session – Basketmaking Techniques and Terminology

Archive Collection:
The Mi'kmaq of Nova Scotia Archives Collection - Curated by Dr. Trudy Sable
Participants:
Trudy Sable, Margaret Johnson
Date:
Jun. 25, 1995
Location:
Eskasoni, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia
Citation:
Sable, Trudy (1995). Interview with Margaret Johnson on Basketmaking, June 25, 1995. Trudy Sable Collection, DTSARCHIVE-072, Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre Archives, Halifax, Nova Scotia
- Audio
Grand Council Captin Sandy Julien [Millbrook First Nation]

Keywords:
Ball Field, Baseball, Bernard, Brooks, Constable, Cope, Francis, Hockey, Martin, Meuse, Money, Old Fashion Ball, Paul, Pictou, Pierro, Priest, Racism, Softball, Teams, Train, Truro, Uniforms and Equipment, War
Archive Collection:
The Mi'kmaq of Nova Scotia Archives Collection - Curated by Dr. Trudy Sable
Participants:
Trudy Sable, Wallis Nevin, Sandy Julian
Date:
Nov. 10, 1992
Location:
Millbrook First Nation, Truro, Nova Scotia
- Video
Musician Joey Gould [Waycobah First Nation] - Interview

Keywords:
Brave Dance, Chapel Island, Dance Competitions, Gould Family, Kabatty, Ko’jua; songs and chants, Mi’kmaw dance, Native Round Up, Neskewet, Noel Stevens, Sarah Denny, St. Anne’s Day
Archive Collection:
The Mi'kmaq of Nova Scotia Archives Collection - Curated by Dr. Trudy Sable
Participants:
Trudy Sable, Joey Gould, Brian Guns
Date:
Dec. 19, 1990
Location:
Paqtnkek (Afton) First Nation, Nova Scotia
- Video
Elder Margaret Johnson [Eskasoni First Nation ]and Elder Caroline Gould [Waycobah First Nation]]

Keywords:
Boarding Schools, Chapel Island, Christmas, Dance, Eskasoni, Funerals, Housing, Language, Liquor, Nuns, Pesita’wa’taqatimk, Prayers and Prayer Leaders, Priests, Selling Baskets, Stories, Whycocomagh
Archive Collection:
The Mi'kmaq of Nova Scotia Archives Collection - Curated by Dr. Trudy Sable
Participants:
Margaret Johnson and her sister, Caroline Gould
Date:
Dec. 12, 2005
Location:
Eskissoqnik (Eskasoni), Nova Scotia
- Audio
Chief John Basque [Potlotek First Nation]

Keywords:
Baseball, Centralization, Dancing, Fiddle, Guitar, Hockey, Home Brew, Liquor, Music, One-Armed Ben Johnson, Racism, Resistance, Service, Softball, Sports Equipment, Stradivarius, Wood Cutting, World War II
Archive Collection:
The Mi'kmaq of Nova Scotia Archives Collection - Curated by Dr. Trudy Sable
Participants:
Trudy Sable, John Basque
Date:
Aug. 24, 1992
Location:
John's Home, Potlotek (Chapel Island) First Nation, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia
- Audio
Dr. Bernie Francis [Membertou First Nation] - Indigenous Bar Association

Keywords:
Dalhousie University, Halifax, Indigenous Bar Association, Speech
Archive Collection:
The Mi'kmaq of Nova Scotia Archives Collection - Curated by Dr. Trudy Sable
Participants:
Bernie Francis, Patricia Monture-Angus, Trudy Sable
Date:
2020-09-30
Location:
Dalhousie University Halifax, Nova Scotia
- Audio
Elder Joseph Sylliboy [Sɨkɨpne’katik First Nation]

Keywords:
Baseball, Bayfield, Centralization, Constable, Dance, Drumming, Father Chaisson, Fiddling, Heatherton, Influence of Western tribes, Inverness, Living on the Land, Merigomish, Pictou, Residential and Day schools, Shubenacadie, Sports, Step and Square Dancing
Archive Collection:
The Mi'kmaq of Nova Scotia Archives Collection - Curated by Dr. Trudy Sable
Participants:
Trudy Sable, Joeseph Levi Sylliboy
Date:
Jun. 4, 1993
Location:
Joesph's Home in Sɨkɨpne’katik (Shubenacadie) First Nation, Shubenacadie, Nova Scotia.
- Audio
Dr. Marie Battiste [Potlotek First Nation] -Interview

Keywords:
Centralization, Chapel Island, Saint Anne’s Mission, Elders, Epiphany, Fiddling, Grand Council, Katawapu, Maine, Mardi Gras, Pestie’wa’taqatimk; Ko’jua, Residential School, Square Dancing, Wla ktansale’m
Archive Collection:
The Mi'kmaq of Nova Scotia Archives Collection - Curated by Dr. Trudy Sable
Participants:
Dr. Marie Battiste; Barry Bernard; Annie Battiste; Trudy Sable (Brian Guns also present)
Date:
Jan. 1, 1991
Location:
Eskissoqnik (Eskasoni) First Nation, Cape Breton
- Audio
Vivian Basque [Eskasoni First Nation]

Keywords:
Celebration, Chanters, Cultural Preservation, Dance as Part of Nature, Dance for War, Dance to Call out Spirits, Divorce, Eskasoni Dancers, Ethno-Stress, Joey Gould, Medicine Men, Missionaries, Roman Catholic Church, Sarah Denny, Telekinesis, Western Dances
Archive Collection:
The Mi'kmaq of Nova Scotia Archives Collection - Curated by Dr. Trudy Sable
Participants:
Trudy Sable, Vivian Basque
Date:
Aug. 2, 1992
Location:
Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre, Halifax Nova Scotia.
- Audio
Dr. Donald M. Julien [Millbrook First Nation]

Keywords:
Burying the Hatchet, Catholicism, Debert, Fort Anne, Germans, Grand Council, Jean Baptiste Cope, Kejimkujik, Lake Rossignol, Le Loutre, Lescarbot, Missionaries, Niskam, Parks, Petroglyphs, Reserves, Scalps, Treaties
Archive Collection:
The Mi'kmaq of Nova Scotia Archives Collection - Curated by Dr. Trudy Sable
Participants:
Trudy Sable, Dr. Donald M. Julien
Date:
Nov. 12, 1991
Location:
Confederacy of Mainland Mi’kmaq, Truro, N.S.
- Audio
Chief Frank Meuse [L’sitkuk First Nation]

Keywords:
Bear River, Burial, Canadian Forestry, Canadian Forestry Association, Canoeing Trips, Education, Erskine, Fishing Rights, Forest Management, Fort Anne, Hunting Rights, Interpretation, Joint Management, Kejimkujik, Land Claims, Nova Scotia Museum, Parks, Petroglyphs, Port Royal, Remains, Training
Archive Collection:
The Mi'kmaq of Nova Scotia Archives Collection - Curated by Dr. Trudy Sable
Participants:
Trudy Sable, Chief Frank Meuse
Date:
Jan. 1, 1992
Location:
L’sitkuk First Nation Band Office, Bear River Nova Scotia
- Audio
Elder Margaret Johnson [Eskasoni First Nation] - Life History of Dr. Granny

Keywords:
Ancestry, Bay of Fundy, Dances, Dreams, Fishing, Grand Council, Kluskap, MacDonald, Margaret Johnson, Oysters, Pecks, PEI, Port Hood, Rocky Point, Selling & Making Baskets, Sewing, songs, Sweetgrass
Archive Collection:
The Mi'kmaq of Nova Scotia Archives Collection - Curated by Dr. Trudy Sable
Participants:
Trudy Sable, Margaret Johnson
Date:
Jul 11, 1994
Location:
En route from PEI to Port Hood, N.S.
- Audio
Grand Council Captain Frank Nevin [Sɨkɨpne’katik First Nation]

Keywords:
Acadian, Ben Brooks, Black, Chapel Island, Charlie Francis, Dance Circle, Dance Competitions, Education, French, Gould Family, Grand Council, Grandmother, Identity, Indian Island, Intermarriage, Jobs, Martin Sack, Mi'kma'ki, Mr. Knockwood, Old Big Louie Paul, Passamaquoddy, Raymond Francis, Residential School, Rickey Gould, Saint Anne's Day, Wampanoags
Archive Collection:
The Mi'kmaq of Nova Scotia Archives Collection - Curated by Dr. Trudy Sable
Participants:
Gary Joseph for Trudy Sable, partner on the Native Dance Project, Frank Nevin
Date:
Dec. 20, 2020
Location:
Sɨkɨpne’katik (Shubenacadie) First Nation
- Video
Elder Rose Anne Nevin [Sɨkɨpne’katik First Nation] Interview

Keywords:
Albert Lightning, Basketmaking, Beading, Big Cove, Boston, Centralization, Dance, Drugs & Alcohol, Fishing, Grand Council, Grandfather, Grandmother, Indian Island, Kluskap, Mawiomi, Medicine, Moccasins, N.B, Pauls, Powwow, Regalia, Residential School, Sacks, Saint Anne, St. John, Stories, Sundance
Archive Collection:
The Mi'kmaq of Nova Scotia Archives Collection - Curated by Dr. Trudy Sable
Participants:
Gary Joseph, Rose Ann Nevin
Date:
Dec. 21, 2005
Location:
Sɨkɨpne’katik (Shubenacadie) First Nation, Nova Scotia
- Audio
Elder Wilfred Prosper [Eskasoni First Nation]

Keywords:
Barra Head, Baseball, Bill Bernard, Blomidon, Chapel Island, Charlie (T.W.) Francis, Checker, Fairy Caves, Isaac Alec, Joe Boutilier, Mary Brooks, Mattie Lewis, Neskawaqn, O'l Pasn Game, One-Armed Ben Johnson, Peter GooGoo, Pictou, Pitching Pennies, Priests, Simon Cremo, Step Dancing, Tom Marshall, Uniforms, War, Wilf Carter, Work
Archive Collection:
The Mi'kmaq of Nova Scotia Archives Collection - Curated by Dr. Trudy Sable
Participants:
Trudy Sable, Wilfred Prosper
Date:
Jul. 23, 1992
Location:
Eskissoqnik (Eskasoni) First Nation, Nova Scotia
- Video
Elder Georgina Doucette [Eskasoni First Nation] - Interview on Shawl Making

Keywords:
Colors, Dance Regalia, Dance Shawls, Healers, Healing, Healing color, Powwow, Recovery, Regalia, Residential School, Spirit Name, Turtle
Archive Collection:
The Mi'kmaq of Nova Scotia Archives Collection - Curated by Dr. Trudy Sable
Participants:
Georgina Doucette
Date:
Jan. 3, 2006
Location:
Eskissoqnik (Eskasoni) First Nation, Cape Breton, N.S. in home of Georgina Doucette
- Audio
Chief Joe Peters [Kluskap First Nation]

Keywords:
Annapolis, apples, Ash, Baseball, bats, Bay of Fundy, Bear River, Brain Tanning, canoe tilting, canoes, Cherry Carnival, clear cut, competition, Digby, discrimination, Don Messer, fisheries, Fishing, Forestry, Frank Gould, French, funeral, Guides, Headdress, Hockey, horseshoe, hymns, Lake Williams, log rolling, Louis Pictou, Meause family, Moose Hunting, New Brunswick, Old Fashion Ball, Peter Michael, Peters point, porpoise, porpoise oils, rag ball, running, second world war, Service, skates, skis, Softball, St Anne's, St Martins, steamers, toboggan, tug-o-war, violin, white people, Yarmouth Gateways
Archive Collection:
The Mi'kmaq of Nova Scotia Archives Collection - Curated by Dr. Trudy Sable
Participants:
Joe Peters
Date:
Jan. 31, 1993
Location:
Kluskap First Nation, Middleton, Nova Scotia
- Audio
Dr. Bernie Francis [Membertou First Nation]

Keywords:
anger, conversion, Creator, Devil, Education, holophrastic, Jesus, Kis'lkw, Language, Legends, Manitou, medicine man, Mi'kmuesu, Missionaries, Mntu, Niskam, notion of worship, Puoin, sin, spirtuality, two-rootedness
Archive Collection:
The Mi'kmaq of Nova Scotia Archives Collection - Curated by Dr. Trudy Sable
Participants:
Dr. Bernie Francis & Dr. Trudy Sable
Date:
Jan. 16, 1999
Location:
Kjipuktuk (Halifax) N.S (home of Trudy Sable)
- Audio
Elder Stephen Augustine [Elispotog First Nation] - Hereditary Chief of the Mi’kmaq Grand Council

Keywords: Big Cove, burial grounds, burials, caribou, Chiefs, Creation, diseases, Elders, folklore, Grandmother, handcrafts, hunting and fishing, indigenous rights, Innu, Kouchibouguac, livelihood, luskinikn, management, mother, ownership, Parks, Parks Programs, sacred, spiritual connection, Treaties, weapons

Participants: Stephen Augustine & Trudy Sable

Date: Aug. 17, 1991

Location: En route from Elispotog (Big Cove) First Nation to Airport
Archive Collection: The Mi'kmaq of Nova Scotia Archives Collection - Curated by Dr. Trudy Sable
- Audio
Kji-keptin (Grand Captain) Alex Denny [Eskasoni First Nation]

Keywords:
Ben Sylliboy, Canada Welfare Act, Catholicism, Chapel Island, Charles Herney, Chief and Council, Elders, employment, Eskasoni, Eskissoqnik (Eskasoni) First Nation, fortress, French, Grand Chief Sylliboy, Grand Council, hereditary Grand Chief, John D Jonhson, Kejimkujik, Language, Louisbourg, Merigomish, Mi'kmaw history, Mission, Nicholas Denys, Parks, Potlotek, Rodney Pierro, Roman Catholic Church, Section 9124, Spain, Tom Marshall, Union of Nova Scotia Mi'kmaq, welfare
Archive Collection:
The Mi'kmaq of Nova Scotia Archives Collection - Curated by Dr. Trudy Sable
Participants:
Kji-keptin (Grand Captain) Alex Denny & Trudy Sable
Date:
Jan. 8, 1992
Location:
Eskissoqnik (Eskasoni) First Nation, Cape Breton, NS
- Audio
Chief Noel Doucette [Potlotek First Nation]

Keywords:
Burial, Catholicism, Chapel Island, Commercialization, Grand Council, Indian Day School, Medjugorje, Missionaries, Parks, Portage, Saint Anne, Sarah Denny
Archive Collection:
The Mi'kmaq of Nova Scotia Archives Collection - Curated by Dr. Trudy Sable
Participants:
Chief Noel Doucette
Date:
Jul. 9, 1992
Location:
Chapel Island Band Office, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia
- Video
Elder Sarah Denny and daughter, Vivian Basque [Eskasoni First Nation]- Dance Workshop

Keywords:
Ben Christmas, chants, Ji'kmaqn, Jukwa'luk, Kwanu'te, Mi'kmaw dance troupe, Neskewet, Noel R Denny, outlawing of dances, Roman Catholic Church, Wapikatji'j
Archive Collection:
The Mi'kmaq of Nova Scotia Archives Collection - Curated by Dr. Trudy Sable
Participants:
Sarah Denny and daughter, Vivian Basque
Date:
Jul. 8, 1991
Location:
Naropa East, Halifax (no longer in existence)
- Video
Steven Ginnish - Field Trip on Mi’kmaw Knowledge and Use of Plants and Animals

The following video was part of doctoral research conducted between 1998-2000 by Trudy Sable in collaboration with the Eel Ground First Nation, Chief George Ginnish, Chief; the Eel Ground First Nation School, Peter MacDonald, Principal; Anne Ward, Grade 7/8 teacher; and the Grade 7/8 students. The field trip was designed to bring together a Western Scientific approach to forestry and Mi’kmaw Environmental Knowledge of forest biodiversity.
- Audio
Vaughan Doucette & Elder Margaret Johnson [Eskasoni First Nation] - CBC Radio interview

Keywords:
Birch Creek singers, dance, feast, feast song, Grand Council wigwam, healing, powwows, prayer, recovery, sobriety, Tom Paul, traditional dances, traditional values, traditionalists
Archive Collection:
The Mi'kmaq of Nova Scotia Archives Collection - Curated by Dr. Trudy Sable
Participants:
Trudy Sable, Margaret Johnson, Vaughan Doucette
Date:
Oct. 10, 1992
Location:
CBC, Sydney, N.S.
- Audio
"Junnie" Joseph Meuse [Sɨpekne’katik First Nation]
- Audio
Dr. Bernie Francis [Membertou First Nation] - on Parks Canada

Keywords:
Annapolis Royal film, Interpretation, Louisbourg, Mi'kmaw employment, mock take over, Parks Canada, Parks Programs
Archive Collection:
The Mi'kmaq of Nova Scotia Archives Collection - Curated by Dr. Trudy Sable
Participants:
Bernie Francis
Date:
Jan. 5, 1992
Location:
Sydney, Nova Scotia
- Audio
Trevor Gould [Paqtnkek First Nation] - 2001 - Youth role model

Keywords:
Karen Lavin award for compassionate activity, Blacks, community, compassion, drum, drum group, graduation, home, humbleness, inspiration, leadership, Lions club, multi-cultural, Natives, Racism, school presidents, Terry Fox Humanitarian Award, Whites, Youth Leader
Archive Collection:
The Mi'kmaq of Nova Scotia Archives Collection - Curated by Dr. Trudy Sable
Participants:
Trevor Gould
Date:
Jun. 6, 2001
Location:
Paqtnkek First Nation Band Office, Nova Scotia
- Audio
Mi'kmaw Artist Anna Nibby-Woods - Interview

Keywords:
Chiefs, confederacy, consultation, Education, employment, hunting, land use, Mi'kmaw training, Nature, Parks Canada, Peter Claire, Port Royal, Programs, Rita Smith, Shubenacadie, tourism, Training, values
Archive Collection:
The Mi'kmaq of Nova Scotia Archives Collection - Curated by Dr. Trudy Sable
Participants:
Anna Nibby-Woods
Date:
Jan. 20, 1991
Location:
Micmac Heritage Gallery, Halifax, Nova Scotia
- Video
Justin Lewis [Sipekne’katik First Nation] - Interview

Keywords:
Canadian Education System, City Native/Urban Aboriginal, discrimination, Family, Fatherhood, Future Aspirations, Identity, Indigenous Status, Living On Reserve, Mi’kmaw, Off Reserve, School life, Sipekne’katik, Status Card
Archive Collection:
The Mi'kmaq of Nova Scotia Archives Collection - Curated by Dr. Trudy Sable
Participants:
Justin Lewis and Trudy Sable
Date:
Mar. 23, 2017
Location:
Kjipuktuk (Halifax), Nova Scotia
- Video
Kenny Prosper [Eskasoni First Nation] - 2017

Keywords:
certificate of possession, Cole Harbor, crown land, employment opportunities, government jobs, Hammond’s Plains, Indian Act, inheritance of property, living off reserve, Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre, Natives living in the city, relocation, Sambro, Shubenacadie, subsidized housing for Natives, tar paper shacks, Urban Mi’kmaw, wikuom, women losing status, World Wars 1&2
Archive Collection:
The Mi'kmaq of Nova Scotia Archives Collection - Curated by Dr. Trudy Sable
Participants:
Kenneth Prosper and Dr. Trudy Sable
Date:
Jun. 23, 2017
Location:
Halifax, Nova Scotia
- Video
Roger Lewis [Sipekne’katik First Nation] - on Mi'kmaw place names and cultural landscapes -An excerpt from Wi’kulpaltimk Feast of Forgiveness

Keywords:
cultural memory, effects of British and French colonisation, history of Indigenous people in Nova Scotia, importance of resources and land, Mi’kmaw diet and food resources, Mikmaw place names, pre-contact, settlers, urban population today
Archive Collection:
The Mi'kmaq of Nova Scotia Archives Collection - Curated by Dr. Trudy Sable
Participants:
Roger Lewis
Date:
2016
Location:
Nova Scotia Museum
- Video
Elder Anne (Marshall) Darville [Eskasoni First Nation] and daughter Audrey Darville - Interview

Keywords:
1950s, Basket making, Centralization, Eskasoni, Halifax Club, Identity, Indian Act, Indian Agents, losing and regaining status, Main Avenue, May flowers, Mi'kmaw, Mi'kmaw Language, Moirs Chocolates, moving to Halifax, Powwow, second world war, spiritual connection
Archive Collection:
The Mi'kmaq of Nova Scotia Archives Collection - Curated by Dr. Trudy Sable
Participants:
Anne (Marshall) Darville [From Eskasoni] and her daughter, Audrey Darville
Date:
Mar. 15, 2017
Location:
Kjipuktuk (Halifax), Nova Scotia
- Audio
Interview with Peter Robinson - Mi'kmaw baseball teams

Participants: Peter Robinson, Trudy Sable accompanied by Wallis Nevin
Date: Nov. 10, 1992
Location: Sɨkɨpne’katik (Shubenacadie), Nova Scotia
Archive Collection: The Mi'kmaq of Nova Scotia Archives Collection - Curated by Dr. Trudy Sable
- Audio
Irving Dana - Passamaquoddy Tribe member of Maine
- Audio
Dr. Bernie Francis and Dr. Trudy Sable - July 1999 - discussion on Mi'kmaw Language

Keywords:
attributing animacy and inanimacy, attributing value and importance to objects, Creator, difference between Mi’kmaw and English thought process, ekwitk; kwitn, grammatical and cognitive aspects of animacy and inanimacy, interconnectedness, Kisu'lkw, maqtewe'k, respect
Archive Collection:
The Mi'kmaq of Nova Scotia Archives Collection - Curated by Dr. Trudy Sable
Participants:
Trudy Sable & Bernie Francis
Date:
July 5, 1999
Location:
Kjipuktuk (Halifax), Nova Scotia, Canada

At our Friendship Centre in Kjipuktuk, we welcome stories from various Indigenous peoples. When Dr. Trudy Sable and I first talked about donating her collection to start our archives, we realized there was a chance to include much more. Many people have collections of photos, letters, documents, and oral histories that we want to archive with your permission and following ethical guidelines. Every item, even if it seems small, helps complete a bigger story, like a missing puzzle piece.

This website has contacts for discussing donations to the archives and the steps for making them. We aim to make this valuable resource available to our communities and the world.

- Pam Glode-Desrochers, Executive Director