The Cultural and Heritage Working Committee is calling for community awareness of the funding opportunities for Mi’kmaw initiatives available through the Mi’kmaq Cultural Activities Program (MCAP).
The committee recently heard from a provincial representative about the program, in a presentation on the funding it offers at a meeting in Glooscap First Nation by Meghan Hallet, Manager of Community and Supports and Infrastructure with the Province.
MCAP funding is offered for Mi’kmaw First Nations, communities, groups and organizations, and is instrumental in sustaining cultural identity and adapting to the changing needs of Mi’kmaw communities across the province, promoting cultural growth, healing and preservation.
The funding specifically supports special or one-time projects in key areas such as cultural preservation and education, community wellbeing, resilience and healing initiatives, traditional arts and crafts, youth engagement and empowerment, and environmental stewardship (such as projects integrated with traditional ecological knowledge), and historical and archaeological initiatives documenting and preserving Mi’kmaw history.
Some examples of the initiatives supported by MCAP funding over the years include basket-making in at the Glooscap Heritage Centre (2013), Mi’kmawey Debert’s Stories from Mi’kma’ki videos for education and outreach (2014), the Mi’kmaq Native Friendship Society’s Way to Healing Project (2015) and the Millbrook Culture and Heritage Center’s repatriation of artifacts from the United Kingdom (2024).
MCAP funding supports the wellbeing and vitality of Mi’kmaq communities, and has funded 121 projects since its launch in 2013. In 2023, MCAP helped a record number of communities and initiatives, with the approval of $115,175 in funding for 13 projects.
MCAP has an annual $100,000 budget, and funds projects that advance cultural traditions, preserve language, and promote the sharing of Mi’kmaq culture. Applicants can include Mi’kmaw First Nations, groups or organizations in Nova Scotia.
Meghan told Culture and Heritage committee members that the MCAP program now offers two tiers of support including
- Up to $5,000, with no application contribution required
- $5,001 to $10,000, requiring a 25% contribution which can partially be in-kind.
Organizations are allowed to submit separate applications for more than one project, and requests for more than $10,000 are allowed, if the application includes multiple partners, or will impact more than one community.
Since 2013, MCAP has seen a total in $1,518,289 requested and has approved $1,091,421 in funding for projects. That funding has supported a range of Mi’kmaq organizations from all 13 Mi’kmaw communities.
Applications, which are accepted from Nova Scotia-based Mi’kmaq bands, groups or organizations, are reviewed by a Peer Assessment Committee, with members from the Mi’kmaq community, and determines eligibility of applications.
For more information on application criteria and the program, visit here.
