MI’KMA’KI: The Mi’kmaw language, deeply woven into the culture and identity of the Mi’kmaq people, is receiving a significant boost through a new revitalization strategy aimed at preserving and promoting its use across Nova Scotia.
Announced on March 6, the Mi’kmaw Language ReVITALization Strategy is a collaborative effort between the Province of Nova Scotia and Mi’kmaw Kina’matnewey, the province’s Mi’kmaw education authority.
The initiative, backed by $1.3 million in annual provincial funding, aims to expand language learning programs, develop new resources, and strengthen the use of Mi’kmaw within communities, schools, and workplaces.
For the communities of Paqtnkek, We’koqma’q, Wagmatcook, Potlotek, and Eskasoni, this investment is particularly meaningful. Language plays a vital role in shaping identity, preserving traditions, and passing down knowledge from elders to younger generations. By fostering an environment where Mi’kmaw is not only preserved but actively spoken and taught, the initiative strengthens the cultural fabric of these communities.
“This strategy is about more than just preserving a language – it’s about strengthening Mi’kmaw identity, culture, and ways of knowing,” Minister responsible for L’nu Affairs Leah Martin said. “Language is the lifeblood of the Mi’kmaw people, and our government is proud to support this important work.”
A key focus of the strategy is ensuring that Mi’kmaw youth have access to consistent language-learning opportunities. Through expanded immersion programs, teacher development, and innovative learning resources, the initiative aims to empower young speakers to embrace and sustain their ancestral language.
Chief Leroy Denny, Chair of Mi’kmaw Kina’matnewey, emphasized the significance of this initiative.
“Our language is at the heart of who we are as Mi’kmaq. The release of this strategy marks an important milestone in the shared journey towards reconciliation between the Province of Nova Scotia and the Mi’kmaw Nation.”
The Mi’kmaw Language ReVITALization Strategy is a direct result of the Mi’kmaw Language Act, proclaimed in 2022, which affirmed the province’s commitment to protecting and advancing the Mi’kmaw language.
For communities such as Paqtnkek and Eskasoni, where efforts to strengthen the language are already underway, this initiative represents a new era of cultural empowerment.
As Mi’kmaw Kina’matnewey continues to expand its language programs and resources, the impact will be felt not just in classrooms but in everyday community interactions. Whether it’s through conversations among elders, lessons in schools, or signs in workplaces, the revitalization of Mi’kmaw is a step toward ensuring its endurance for generations to come.
For the First Nations communities across the Strait Area, the message is clear: the language of their ancestors is not only being preserved but celebrated, strengthened, and passed on to the future.