Honouring Mi'kmaq History Month

Wela'lin, Speaker. I rise today to honour and acknowledge October as Mi'kmaq History Month here in Kjipuktuk and in all of Nova Scotia. This year's theme celebrated Mi'kmaq sports, traditional games, and pastimes. For generations, sports have been used to give teachings on how to hear, how to see, and how to move, focusing not only on the physicality of movement but the cultural and spiritual connection to sport.

For the entire month of October, there have been several events, mawio'mi, and cultural teachings highlighting the influence the Mi'kmaq have had on activities still popular today. From hockey sticks made by Indigenous athletes being some of the most sought after in the early days of the sport to the ongoing teachings and connection to culture offered in sports like dance, boxing, archery, and martial arts - to name a few - Mi'kmaq cultural connections to sport here in Nova Scotia have a strong and deep-rooted history.

At the close of Mi'kmaq Heritage Month, I ask all members of this House to join me in honouring these connections and the incredible contribution of the Mi'kmaq culture to all aspects of our province.