Mi’kmaw Collections

Elders and staff have been welcomed warmly by institutions such as the National Museum of American Indian, Washington DC, USA. During a trip in the spring of 2012, Elder Lillian Marshall was encouraged to review the collections stacks at the Cultural Resources Center, an NMAI collections facility in Suitland, Maryland.

Over the past five years, the Elders’ Advisory Council and Mi’kmawey Debert staff have visited various Mi’kmaw collections that are being held nationally and internationally at the Canadian Museum of Civilization (Gatineau, QC), the National Museum of American Indian, Smithsonian Institution (Washington, DC), and the Nova Scotia Museum (Halifax, NS).

When we visit collections, we photograph and discuss the objects and record any historical notes. Ultimately, this process of engaging our Elders and communities is a powerful way to reflect on and explore our history and culture.

MDCC staff have been visiting the Nova Scotia Museum in Halifax for many years, reviewing its ethnographic and archaeological collections. In the spring of 2012, staff were able to share what they have learned with the MDCC Elders’ Advisory Council, and to hear from the Elders what is important about these collections. Such sharing fosters knowledge and also allows us to identify further research questions and goals.

MDCC staff have been visiting the Nova Scotia Museum in…

Below is a small sample of what we have learned from various collections. This slideshow will grow and expand as staff time allows. Come back soon to see more!

Mi’kmaw Hymnal and Prayerbook (download here!)

The Mi’kmaw hymnal (from Sɨpekne’katik) and prayer book (from Pictou Landing) currently in the collections the National Museum of the American Indian, Smithsonian Institution are available for download below (click on the images).

These two books were collected from Mi’kma’ki by Wilson D. Wallis and Ruth Sawtelle Wallis in 1912. The prayer book is from Pictou Landing First Nation and the hymnal is from Sɨpekne’katik First Nation.

The scans of these books have been provided generously by the National Museum of the American Indian, Smithsonian Institution. They are allowing distribution for personal/private use and for non-profit educational use. When sharing these scans in any form, please credit the National Museum of the American Indian, Smithsonian Institution.

The Mi’kmaw hymnal from Sɨpekne’katik First Nation. Click on image to download .pdf. Non-profit use only please; from the collections of the National Museum of the American Indian.

Mi’kmaw prayerbook from Pictou Landing First Nation. Click on image to download .pdf. Non-profit use only please; from the collections of the National Museum of the American Indian.

Mi’kmaw language experts work with the books at the National Museum of the American Indian, Smithsonian Institution. March 2019.

Michelle Marshall-Johnson takes a closer look.

Watch the Land and Sea episode about Mi’kmawey Debert!

The Mi’kmaq Journey
From the deep woods of Nova Scotia – to the Smithsonian archives in Washington – the long journey to protect Mi’kmaq culture for the future.

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