Written by Cheryl Copage-Gehue and the Treaty Day committee
Working to keep our communities safe, Halifax Regional Municipality, the Treaty Day Committee, Halifax Public Libraries, Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre and community members have worked together to create this virtual experience. Although our traditional in-person celebration in Kjipuktuk will not take place as usual, we will be hosting our first Virtual Treaty Day Celebration. Please explore and enjoy.
Jump to topic:
- About Treaty Day
- Video: A message from the Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia
- Video: "Ke’aknutma’tinej? Can We Talk?"
- Video: A message from Federal Ministers
- Video: A message from the Premier of Nova Scotia
- Video: A message from the Assembly of Nova Scotia Chiefs
- Video: A message to Mi'kmaq Veterans
- Videos: Messages from Mi’kmaw Grand Council
- Video: Official flag raising
- Video: Official Proclamation, Treaty Day 2020 in Halifax
- Video and photos: Grand Chief Donald Marshall Memorial Elder Award
- Video and photos: Sister Dorothy Moore Mi’kmaq Education Scholarship
- Video and photos: Grand Chief Donald Marshall Scholarship Fund Award
- Photos: Chief Noel Doucette Memorial Youth Award
- Video: We Are All Treaty People
- Explore more Mi'kmaq History Month and Mi'kmaw Content
About Treaty Day
Every year on October 1, Nova Scotians mark Treaty Day to celebrate the rich history, proud culture, and important contributions of Mi’kmaq people.
These centuries-old treaties honour the enduring bond of friendship and respect between Nova Scotia’s Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities, and reaffirm the historic presence of the Mi’kmaw, who have occupied the land for thousands of years. Explore Peace and Friendship Treaties, opens a new window, digitized at Nova Scotia Archives.
October 1 also marks the beginning of Mi’kmaq History Month in Nova Scotia. This year marks the 27th anniversary of Mi’kmaq History Month. In 1993, Premier John Savage and Mi’kmaw Grand Chief Ben Sylliboy declared October as the official month to recognize and celebrate Mi’kmaw culture and heritage.
A message from the Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia
The Honourable Arthur J. LeBlanc, ONS, QC, Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia
“Ke’aknutma’tinej? Can we talk?”
This video features presenters from the Nova Scotia Treaty Education Speakers Bureau and community members throughout Mi’kma’ki reinforcing the message “We are all Treaty People.”
A message from Federal Ministers
The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Indigenous Services
The Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations
A message from the Premier of Nova Scotia
The Honourable Stephen McNeil Treaty Day Address, 2020
A message from the Assembly of Nova Scotia Chiefs
Chief Terrance Paul, Co-Chair of the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Chiefs
A message to Mi'kmaq Veterans
Speech from a Mi’kmaq Veteran to all Mi’kmaq Veterans, past and present.
HCol. Dr. Donald M Julien C.M., O.N.S., DCL., DHumL
Executive Director C.M.M Kaptin Sipekne’katik Mi’kmaq District
Messages from Mi’kmaw Grand Council
Grand Chief Norman Sylliboy
Grand Keptin Antle Denny
Official flag raising: Mi’kmaq History Month and Treaty Day 2020
The Mi’kmaw Grand Council Flag is raised at Grand Parade Square in Halifax
Official Proclamation, Halifax: Treaty Day 2020
Mayor Mike Savage, Halifax Regional Municipality
Treaty Day Awards
Grand Chief Donald Marshall Memorial Elder Award
Laurianne Sylvester, Grand Daughter of Late Grand Chief Donald Marshall, introduces the Memorial Elder Award.
2020 recipients
Click to view
Lorraine Whitman, Glooscap First nation
Geroge and Grace Sylliboy, Eskasoni First Nation
Clark Paul, Eskasoni First Nation
Sister Dorothy Moore Mi’kmaq Education Scholarship
Blaire Gould, Executive Director of Mi’kmaw Kina’matneway introduces the Sister Dorothy Moore Award.
2020 recipients
Click to view
Tamara Cremo, We’koqmaq First Nation
Shawnee Paul, Eskasoni First Nation
Pamela Paul-Francis, Pictou Landing First Nation
Keeshia Hayden Bernard, Eskasoni First Nation
Katelyn Francis, Eskasoni First Nation
Angie Stevens, Eskasoni First Nation
Grand Chief Donald Marshall Scholarship Fund Award
Laurianne Sylvester, Grand Daughter of Late Grand Chief Donald Marshall introduces the Grand Chief Donald Marshall Scholarship Fund Award from Mi’kmaw Kina’matnewey.
2020 recipients
Click to view
Charise McDonald, Sipekne’katik First Nation
Cody Julian, Sipekne’katik First Nation
Dawson Trimper, Bear River First Nation
Jeneva Dennis, Potlotek First Nation
Lauren Francis, Eskasoni First Nation
Chief Noel Doucette Memorial Youth Award
2020 recipients
Click to view
Noah Matthews-Cremo, Membertou First Nation
Annie Doucette, Potlotek First Nation
Trinity Stephens, Millbrook First Nation
We Are All Treaty People
“We are all Treaty People” illustrates the joint commitment from the Mi’kmaw community and the Province of Nova Scotia to deliver Treaty Education to all classrooms, grades, and schools; to the general public; and, to all public servants across Nova Scotia.
Explore more Mi'kmaq History Month and year-round Mi'kmaw content, on this page.
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