Truro, Nova Scotia: The Mi’kmaq History Month (MHM) Committee are pleased to announce Mi’kmaw Beadwork & the Art of Beading as the theme for this year’s History Month poster.

From pre-contact wampum to the beautiful pieces created today, beading has been part of Mi‘kmaw culture for generations. For centuries, the intricate designs and colour palettes has been beaded on an array of beautiful wearable art, adorning bodies, clothes and other Mi’kmaw objects. As Mi’kmaq History Month is about educating and celebrating our history and culture, this year we honour and celebrate our beading masters who have carried on our beading traditions, designs and patterns through their ceremonies and art.

“Mi’kmaw beadwork was used to not only beautify objects, but to also record important decisions and can enrich and enhance the stories we tell about our lives, experiences and history,” said Tim Bernard, Executive Director for the Mi’kmawey Debert Cultural Centre and chair of the MHM Committee. “Our Mi’kmaw beadwork artists have kept us connected with many of our traditional designs and have also brought forward the importance of beadwork in contemporary Mi’kmaw culture.”

The poster, produced each year as a resource for teaching about the Mi’kmaq during History Month, highlights a significant aspect of Mi’kmaw history and culture. The team from the Mi’kmawey Debert Cultural Centre, led by celebrated Mi’kmaw artist and storyteller, Gerald Gloade, anticipate this year’s poster will help audiences better understand and celebrate this artform that was preserved and passed down by our ancestors for many generations.

“We are excited to see all of the artists who are keeping the tradition of beading alive and hope that this year’s poster can be a resource for all those who want to learn more,” continued Bernard.

The poster is printed in three languages: Mi’kmaw, English and French, and is made available to schools across the province. A PDF version will also be available for download from the MHM website, mikmaqhistorymonth.ca

 

About the Mi’kmaq History Month Committee:

The Mi’kmaq 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, lead in the interim by The Confederacy of Mainland Mi’kmaq, draws on the expertise of representatives from the Mi’kmaq Grand Council, Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw communities and organizations, as well as the Federal and Provincial governments.

 

About 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. 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’kmaq History Month events.

 

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For more information, contact:
Tim Bernard, Committee Chair

Mi’kmaq History Month
P: (902) 603-1027
C: (902) 890-5417
Email: tim@cmmns.com