October 1 is Treaty Day and the start of Mi’kmaq History Month.
Mi’kmaq Treaty Day commemorates the key role of treaties in the relationship between the Mi’kmaq nation and the Crown, and the continuing importance of these treaties for Canada.
“Treaty Day serves as an important symbolic event to both strengthen the relationship between the Mi’kmaq of PEI and the Crown and to educate the public about the Mi’kmaq Treaties, as well as Mi’kmaq History and Culture – all important steps on the path to reconciliation.” Darlene Bernard, Chief of Lennox Island First Nation on PEI.
For more information on Treaty Day, visit https://lnuey.ca/treatyday/.
October is Mi’kmaq History Month, a time to promote awareness of Mi’kmaq treaties, culture, history, and heritage.
UPEI has stated in our “UPEI Strategic Plan, 2018–2023” that "UPEI is committed to advancing reconciliation through higher education. As a community, we have started a journey of growth to realize the role we must play in promoting an understanding of Indigenous history and culture, and supporting respectful relationships. UPEI recognizes that discussions in this era of truth and reconciliation will unveil difficult facts within our country’s history. However, in keeping with our institutional vision, we know that education is vital to understanding the history of colonialism and the forward-looking process of reconciliation. Working together, we must use knowledge as a catalyst for meaningful change in communities here in Prince Edward Island and around our world."
Check out our display of books on Mi’kmaq history from our circulating book collection. Books in the display may be borrowed.
Because of the significant Mi’kmaq presence on Prince Edward Island (Epekwitk, often anglicized as “Abegweit”), many of our Library’s Mi’kmaq-related titles are housed in the PEI Collection (SPEC-PEI Location in the Library Catalogue): PEI Collection titles are available for consultation by anyone presenting photo ID, but can only be used within the Library.
Check out the Library’s Mi'kmaq - Research Guide for resources about the Mi'kmaq in Prince Edward Island and Atlantic Canada.
The 2021 Mi'kmaq History Month poster – Exploring Treaties and Treaty Relationships - is available from the Mi'kmaq History Month website.