The Tripartite Forum Secretariat, Co-Chairs and Executive Committees and general membership are all extending a heartfelt congratulations to Gerald Gloade.
Gerald, a longtime member of the Tripartite Forum since its inception in 1997, retired earlier this month, following a storied career as a Mi’kmaq artist, educator, naturalist and visionary.
A Member of Millbrook First Nation, Gerald has worked extensively, and most recently, with Mi’kmawey Debert Cultural Centre (MDCC), in addition to his work with the Tripartite Forum’s Culture and Heritage Committee.
His most recent role was Program Development Officer with MDCC, where his curatorial work guided development of visitor and educational programs for MDCC.
His work drew – and draws – on his deep Indigenous cultural knowledge. Gerald uses his deep Indigenous knowledge to help build cultural bridges of understanding between Nova Scotia’s Indigenous and non-Indigenous populations.
Gerald has earned numerous accolades over the course of his career, the most recent of which is a Doctorate of Humanities from Acadia University in Spring 2023. His artwork has been featured far and wide and has featured on many maps and signs across Nova Scotia and was minted on a Canada 150 nickel to celebrate the country’s 150th anniversary in 2017. He is also a past member of the Creative Nova Scotia Leadership Council.
Gerald is widely known throughout Mi’kma’ki for his iconic art featured on the Mi’kmaq History Month posters Mi’kmawey Debert releases on a yearly basis, which he would enthusiastically discuss the creation of at Culture and Heritage Committee meetings.
Gerald began his career at 19 as a graphic designer for the Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources, in its Communications and Education Branch more than 25 years ago. He has also worked with the Office of Aboriginal Affairs during his time as a public servant with the province.
While his work was initially focused on forestry education, he expanded from that to serve as a cultural educator, sharing his knowledge of Mi’kmaq history, culture and the environment to a broad audience across Mi’kma’ki/Nova Scotia.
Gerald’s extensive cultural knowledge – including an encyclopedic knowledge of the Glooscap Legends – started early in his life. Because of a heart condition, Gerald spent more time with his grandmother, as a child, than other children. In that time, she imparted traditional Knowledge and skills through stories about the community, land and people.
