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

Vision & Acknowledgments

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

Skip to Videos
  • Big Cove 5th Annual Traditional Powwow, Elsipogtog First Nation, New Brunswick - Day 1, August 1992

    Big Cove 5th Annual Traditional Powwow, Elsipogtog First Nation, New Brunswick - Day 1, August 1992

    Videotaped & Edited by Trudy Sable

    Archiving sponsored by the Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre, Kjipuktuk/Halifax, Nova Scotia with funding through the Canadian Heritage, Aboriginal Languages Initiative, and the Nova Scotia Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage.

  • Peggy Thayer & the Micmac Traditional Dancers

    Peggy Thayer & the Micmac Traditional Dancers

    Location: Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre

  • Maxwell Francis Interview Elsipogtog First Nation. January 12, 2006

    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

  • Explanation of Ta’n Weji-sqalia’tiek Recording with Dr. Bernie Francis by Dr. Trudy Sable

    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

    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

    Film Footage of Chapel Island Mission and Membertou, 1957-1963

  • Earth, Sky, and Water: An Evening of Mi'kmaw Dancing, Chanting and Drumming

    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]

    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

  • Eskasoni Powwow, 1996

    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

  • Vaughan Doucette - Free Spirit Drum Group on Mi'kmaw Songs

    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.

  • Mi'kmaw Language Discussion

    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

  • Heritage Day Wagmatcook (Waqmɨtkuk),1991

    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

  • Baha'i Peggy Thayer and the Micmac Traditional Dancers

    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

  • Pestia’wa’taqtink (Naming Ceremony)

    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.  

  • “Siawi-a’tukwey: I am Continuing to Tell My Story”

    “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

  • Eskasoni Cultural Evening

    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

  • Dr. Margaret (Granny) Johnson Session – Basketmaking Techniques and Terminology

    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

  • Grand Council Captin Sandy Julien [Millbrook First Nation]

    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

  • Musician Joey Gould [Waycobah First Nation] - Interview

    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

  • Elder Margaret Johnson [Eskasoni First Nation ]and Elder Caroline Gould [Waycobah First Nation]]

    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

  • Chief John Basque [Potlotek First Nation]

    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

  • Dr. Bernie Francis [Membertou First Nation] - Indigenous Bar Association

    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

  • Elder Joseph Sylliboy [Sɨkɨpne’katik First Nation]

    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.

  • Dr. Marie Battiste [Potlotek First Nation] -Interview

    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

  • Vivian Basque [Eskasoni First Nation]

    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.

  • Dr. Donald M. Julien [Millbrook First Nation]

    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.

  • Chief Frank Meuse [L’sitkuk First Nation]

    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

  • Elder Margaret Johnson [Eskasoni First Nation] - Life History of Dr. Granny

    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.

  • Grand Council Captain Frank Nevin [Sɨkɨpne’katik First Nation]

    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

  • Elder Rose Anne Nevin [Sɨkɨpne’katik First Nation] Interview

    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

  • Elder Wilfred Prosper [Eskasoni First Nation]

    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

  • Elder Georgina Doucette [Eskasoni First Nation] - Interview on Shawl Making

    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

  • Chief Joe Peters [Kluskap First Nation]

    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

  • Dr. Bernie Francis [Membertou First Nation]

    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)

  • Elder Stephen Augustine [Elispotog First Nation] - Hereditary Chief of the Mi’kmaq Grand Council

    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

  • Kji-keptin (Grand Captain) Alex Denny [Eskasoni First Nation]

    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

  • Chief Noel Doucette [Potlotek First Nation]

    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

  • Elder Sarah Denny and daughter, Vivian Basque [Eskasoni First Nation]- Dance Workshop

    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)

  • Steven Ginnish - Field Trip on Mi’kmaw Knowledge and Use of Plants and Animals

    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.

  • Vaughan Doucette & Elder Margaret Johnson [Eskasoni First Nation] - CBC Radio interview

    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.

  • "Junnie" Joseph Meuse [Sɨpekne’katik First Nation]

    "Junnie" Joseph Meuse [Sɨpekne’katik First Nation]

  • Dr. Bernie Francis [Membertou First Nation] - on Parks Canada

    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

  • Trevor Gould [Paqtnkek First Nation] - 2001 - Youth role model

    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

  • Mi'kmaw Artist Anna Nibby-Woods - Interview

    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

  • Justin Lewis [Sipekne’katik First Nation] - Interview

    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

  • Kenny Prosper [Eskasoni First Nation] - 2017

    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

  • Roger Lewis [Sipekne’katik First Nation] - on Mi'kmaw place names and cultural landscapes -An excerpt from Wi’kulpaltimk Feast of Forgiveness

    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

  • Elder Anne (Marshall) Darville [Eskasoni First Nation] and daughter Audrey Darville - Interview

    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

  • Interview with Peter Robinson - Mi'kmaw baseball teams

    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

  • Irving Dana - Passamaquoddy Tribe member of Maine

    Irving Dana - Passamaquoddy Tribe member of Maine

  • Dr. Bernie Francis and Dr. Trudy Sable - July 1999 - discussion on Mi'kmaw Language

    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