Culture and Heritage Working Committee

Mandate and Purpose

The purpose of the Culture and Heritage Committee is to promote an environment in which Mi’kmaq/Nova Scotia/Canada can come together in cooperation to discuss common issues, explore options, and recommend actions with respect to culture and heritage.

The mandate of the Culture and Heritage Committee is to focus on achievable objectives with respect to language, research, culture and heritage resource management, and the commemoration and presentation of Mi’kmaw culture and heritage.

The Culture and Heritage Working Committee includes representatives from:

• The Confederacy of Mainland Mi’kmaq
• Union of Nova Scotia Indians
• Nova Scotia Native Women’s Association
• Kwilmu’kw Maw-klusuaqn Negotiation Office
• Eskasoni First Nation
• Membertou First Nation
• Canadian Heritage
• Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada
• Mi’kmaq Association of Cultural Studies
• Nova Scotia Office of Aboriginal Affairs
• Nova Scotia Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage
• Parks Canada

Preservation of Aboriginal Language Audio-Visual Materials – Expression of Interest

2018 – 2019 Work Plan Goals

Heritage Preservation- Bedford Barrens Petroglyph Site Protection & Interpretation, & Coastal Erosion.

Community Identity and Language- Mi’kmaw Language Revitalization, 100 Series Highway Signs, Mi’kmaw Placenames Digital Atlas & Website, Elder Stories, Discovery Centre Planetarium – Mi’kmaw content, Mi’kmaw Language Strategy,

Cultural Expression and Preservation- Mi’kmaw History Month, Indian Residential School Commemoration, NS Newcomer Information, Appropriate Signage Project.

Other Initiatives / Projects – (items on the C&H Radar/Support)

• Mawiomi Economic Impact
• Mi’kmaw Cultural Tourism Strategy
• Treaty Education Initiative
• Collections Policy / Standards of Excellence
• Collection Repatriation Readiness / Capacity
• Language Resources and Publishing

 

STRATEGIC GOALS:

Heritage Preservation
Scope: to foster and support the preservation of heritage sites, buildings and objects or collections that relate to Mi’kmaw heritage. This would include issues of archeological sites and artifacts, development of Mi’kmaw heritage collections, archives and heritage site protection.
Recent Activities: Bedford Barrens, Malagawatch, St. Anne’s Mission Church, etc.

Community Identity & Language
Scope: to assist and support communities with enhancing and celebrating community identity and promotion. This includes community branding, naming and location aids (maps, signage).
Recent Activities: Mi’kmaq Language, Highway signage, Placemats, Place names database, community branding.

Cultural Expression & Presentation
Scope: to support and foster the development and presentation of cultural expression in all forms. Includes literary and performing arts, visual arts, music, dance and cultural celebration.
Recent Activities: Chief’s Regalia, Mawiomis, Mi’kmaq History Month etc.