A celebration is coming to mark an important milestone for Survivors of Federal Indian Day Schools in Mi’kma’ki (Nova Scotia), on August 8th.
Debra Ginnish, a proponent behind the recent compensation claims for survivors of the former Indian Day Schools, spoke to two Tripartite working committees about plans to commemorate the victory achieved for and by hundreds of Indian Day School Survivors.
Wi’kipaltimk – the Mi’kmaq word for feast – commemorate this milestone for Survivors in Sydney’s Open Hearth Park. Debra told committee members that the three-day event will be much more than just a meal. The Mawio’mi (gathering) will honour Indian Day School survivors and celebrate Mi’kmaq culture. The event will uplift traditions through ceremony, music, education, and intergenerational exchange.
The event will be a time to share truth through story, ceremony and education, celebrating Mi’kmaq language, culture and identity, and bringing people together in the spirit of community and solidarity.
Debra spoke about the forthcoming event to members of the Culture and Heritage, and Economic Development Committees about the plans to commemorate and celebrate the successful claims filed by Indian Day School Survivors from across Nova Scotia.
Debra, the Indian Day School Supports Coordinator with the Union of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaq (UNSM), explained to committee members the plans to host the event, which will include:
- Nightly Indigenous artists from across Turtle Island providing entertainment
- Powwow grounds with drummers, dancers and protocols
- The Crafters’ Marketplace
- Five teepees representing Unama’ki Communities with cultural demonstrations
- The Chef Ray Bear Culinary Tent, providing traditional and modern Indigenous food tastings
- Sacred Fire and Sunrise Ceremonies
- An Elders’ Tent
- A Yurt for Indian Day School Education with two-to-three daily sessions with Survivors and educators
- An Innovation Tent for Indigenous youth, entrepreneurs
- A Food Tent
- A Sensory Room/Calming space
- A Volunteer and Information Tent
- A first aid station
- A finale performance featuring fireworks
