Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site opens new Mi’kmaw Interpretive Centre
News Release
Discover Indigenous Customs and Traditions with Parks Canada and the Mi’kmaq of Nova Scotia
September 25, 2017 Louisbourg, Nova Scotia Parks Canada Agency
A new Mi’kmaw Interpretive Centre officially opened this weekend at the Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site. The centre, which highlights the Indigenous story, culture, communities, and historic connections on Unama’ki (Cape Breton Island), is a collaboration between Parks Canada and Kwilmu’kw Maw-klusuaqn Negotiation Office, also known as the Mi’kmaq Rights Initiative. The centre allows visitors to connect to the past and to the present through hands-on learning and storytelling of the rich heritage of Mi’kmaw communities.
The new Mi’kmaw Interpretive Centre at the Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site is a way to discover Indigenous traditions and customs and, in doing so, better understand the cultures and histories of Indigenous Peoples in Canada. It offers Mi’kmaw communities in Unama’ki a location to tell their own story, promote their culture and the communities in which they live, and provides visitors an opportunity to find answers to the questions they seek regarding Indigenous life on Cape Breton Island.
Parks Canada is committed to a system of national heritage places that commemorates the contributions of Indigenous Peoples and their cultures, as well as how Indigenous Peoples take pride in being stewards of the land. By fostering a culture of cooperation and partnership, efforts are advanced to renew nation-to-nation, Inuit-Crown, and government-to-government relationships with Indigenous Peoples.
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Quotes
“National parks, national historic sites, and national marine conservation areas represent the very best that Canada has to offer and tell stories of who we are, including the history, cultures, and contributions of Indigenous Peoples. While we are celebrating Canada 150 in 2017, the history of this land and the contributions of its people present a rich tapestry and date back far beyond 150 years. We recognize that Indigenous Peoples have inhabited these lands since time immemorial. I encourage you to learn more about, experience, and celebrate Indigenous culture and history at the new Mi’kmaw Interpretive Centre at Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site.”
Rodger Cuzner
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour and Member of Parliament for Cape Breton-Canso
“The Mi’kmaq of Nova Scotia are excited to celebrate the opening of the new Mi’kmaw Interpretive Centre at the Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site. The centre is a positive step towards further achieving recognition and understanding of our Indigenous Peoples as we continue our work to revive, promote, and protect a healthy Mi’kmaw identity.”
Clifford Paul
Member, Unama’ki-Parks Canada Advisory Sub-Committee
Quick Facts
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Parks Canada contributed $100,000 towards the Mi’kmaw Interpretive Centre at Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site.
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Working together with more than 300 Indigenous communities across Canada, Parks Canada and Indigenous Peoples are partners in conserving, restoring, and presenting Canada’s natural and cultural heritage.
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The Mi’kmaw communities Unama’ki represent Membertou, Potlotek, Wagmatcook, Eskasoni, and We’koqma’q.
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Kwilmu’kw Maw-klusuaqn Negotiation Office (Mi’kmaq Rights Initiative) works on behalf of the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaq Chiefs and represents the negotiations on behalf of the Mi’kmaq of Nova Scotia, with the Province of Nova Scotia and the Government of Canada. The Initiative was developed by the Mi’kmaq, for the Mi’kmaq.
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The Unama’ki-Parks Canada Advisory Committee formed a sub-committee to work on this project, which consisted of Jeff Ward, Membertou; Quentin Doucette, Unama’ki Tourism Association; Tom Johnson, Eskasoni; Clifford Paul, Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaq Chiefs’ Advisory Committee Coordinator; Jason Pierro, Wagmatcook; Charles Doucette, Potlotek; Jason Bernard, We’koqma’q; and Steven Augustine, Unama’ki College, Cape Breton University.
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The Government of Canada is happy to offer free admission for all visitors to national parks, national historic sites, and national marine conservation areas operated by Parks Canada in 2017 to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Confederation.
Associated Links
Contacts
Coady Slaunwhite
Public Relations and Communications Officer, Cape Breton
Parks Canada
902-217-0861
coady.slaunwhite@pc.gc.ca
Crystal Dorey
Communications Officer
Kwilmu’kw Maw-klusuaqn Negotiation Office
902-957-0549
crystaldorey@mikmaqrights.com
Media Relations
Parks Canada Agency
855-862-1812
pc.media@pc.gc.ca