A vibrant new poster titled “Nepisulti’k — We Are Healing” launches Mi’kmaw History Month (MHM) this October, inviting people across Mi’kma’kik to reflect on healing as a lifelong journey—one rooted in understanding ourselves, our histories, our relationships, and our connectedness to one another.
The heart of this year’s theme comes from teachings shared by the late Elder Murdena Marshall, whose guidance continues to shape cultural learning across Mi’kma’kik.
Healing and health are not something a person achieves, Elder Murdena taught, but rather a journey that people live every day. Healing is an ongoing process, she said, one that takes courage and is unique to each person.
The 2026 poster and supporting videos feature Antle and Friends, characters created by Mi’kmaw Kina’matnewey.
“That group of friends, with their curiosity, and love of life in Mi’kma’kik are the perfect characters to help share Elder Murdena’s teachings with people of all ages,” says Mercedes Peters, Director, Sharing Our Stories at Mi’kmawey Debert Cultural Centre. “We want to thank Mi’kmaw Kina’matnewey for allowing us to bring them back to Mi’kmaw History Month.”
“The poster was designed in a way to show that while healing journeys are unique to each being,” says Peters, “we are never alone, and our journeys strengthen the healing of the world around us too—humans and non-humans alike. This theme also helps us think differently about what we mean when we say we’re looking into the past—to know our history, and to know histories other than our own, not just during October, but always.”
The MHM poster was produced and designed by the Mi’kmawey Debert Cultural Centre (MDCC) in partnership with artist Gerald Gloade, and in collaboration with Elders, cultural practitioners, translators, and the Mi’kmaw History Month Committee.
The full-colour printed posters—in Mi’kmaw, English and French—are being distributed this week to schools and communities across the province. They are also available for download now at mikmawhistorymonth.ca/posters/. A dynamic and fun social media campaign, including a series of videos, are set to launch late September and will continue through October. (mikmawhistorymonth.ca/video/)
Funding for the MHM program and materials comes from several supporters. However, provincial cutbacks this year reducing funds to distribute the posters to schools and communities in the province presented a challenge.
“With a significant reduction in this year’s provincial funding for Mi’kmaw History Month, we were very concerned that after 11 years of building a very meaningful program, we’d be back to square one,” says Tim Bernard, Executive Director Mi’kmawey Debert Cultural Centre. “However, with the support of our leadership, especially District Chief Sherry Pictou, MDCC has managed to hang onto most elements to deliver a successful 2026 MHM campaign, appropriately titled, Nepisulti’k — We Are Healing.”
Mi’kmaw History Month has been celebrated in Nova Scotia for over 30 years. In 1993, Premier John Savage and Grand Chief Ben Sylliboy declared October as Mi’kmaw History Month, a time each year to educate, share, and celebrate Mi’kmaw culture and history. The annual poster is distributed to schools and communities across Nova Scotia and is available for download at mikmawhistorymonth.ca
For more information, contact:
Tim Bernard,
Mi’kmaw History Month Committee Chair
Mi’kmawey Debert Cultural Centre Executive Director
(902) 890-5417
[email protected]
BACKGROUND
The Mi’kmaw Communities Activities Program continues to play a key role in supporting MHM, providing funding for cultural and educational events across Mi’kma’ki. Communities use the program to host workshops, gatherings and learning opportunities that deepen understanding of Mi’kmaw history, language and culture.
Each year, Mi’kmaw groups, organizations, and communities in Nova Scotia are invited to apply for up to $2,000 in funding to host activities and events in October that celebrate Mi’kmaw History Month. The program encourages community-led celebrations, increases awareness and education of Mi’kmaw history and culture, and supports spaces for people to gather, learn, and connect.
About the Mi’kmaw History Month Committee:
The Mi’kmaw History Month Committee was established to promote awareness of Mi’kmaw culture, history and heritage and encourage educational and cultural activities during the month of October. The Committee, led in the interim by the Confederacy of Mi’kmaw Nations (formerly The Confederacy of Mainland Mi’kmaq), draws on the expertise of representatives from the Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw communities and organizations, as well as the Federal and Provincial governments.
About Mi’kmaw 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. Each October, community activities, events, sharing and showcasing of Mi’kmaw history and culture takes place across Nova Scotia. All are encouraged and welcome to participate in Mi’kmaw History Month events.