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

Skip to Videos
  • Peggy Thayer & the Micmac Traditional Dancers

    Peggy Thayer & the Micmac Traditional Dancers

    Location: Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre

  • 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

  • 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

    KeywordsAcadian 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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 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

  • 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.

  • 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

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