New Maritime Museum of the Atlantic exhibit explores Mi’kmaq connection to land and sea (5 photos)

Ta’n me’j Tel-keknuo’ltiek opens to the public today

 CityNews Halifax Staff

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NEWS RELEASE
COMMUNITIES/CULTURE/TOURISM/HERITAGE/L’NU AFFAIRS
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Nova Scotians can learn more about the experiences of Mi’kmaw communities through a new exhibit, featuring Mi’kmaw historian and guest curator Salina Kemp, at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic in Halifax.

Ta’n me’j Tel-keknuo’ltiek, which translates to ‘how unique we still are,’ reflects the many ways Mi’kmaw people are connected to the lands, and especially the waters, of Mi’kma’ki, the ancestral territory of the Mi’kmaq.

“The exhibit offers insights into the range and diversity of Mi’kmaw people’s lived experiences,” said Pat Dunn, Minister of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage. “The Mi’kmaq are Nova Scotia’s first people. I encourage everyone to visit the new exhibit to better understand both the historical and contemporary experiences of Mi’kmaw communities.”

The exhibit was developed as part of the Nova Scotia Museum’s contribution to the 2023 North American Indigenous Games.

Ta’n me’j Tel-keknuo’ltiek opens to the public today, November 9. For more information, visit https://maritimemuseum.novascotia.ca/

Quotes:
“Having a place where people from all over the province and even around the world can share in Mi’kmaw culture, experiences and history is very exciting. Ta’n me’j Tel-keknuo’ltiek provides a great opportunity for us all to learn about the strong connection Mi’kmaq have to the land. Congratulations to staff and everyone who made the exhibit possible. I am excited for the teaching and learning that will happen at the museum over the coming weeks.”
– Karla MacFarlane, Minister of L’nu Affairs

“As a Mi’kmaw woman who has grown up in Kjipuktuk (Halifax), it is an honour to have the opportunity to educate people on the many ways that the Mi’kmaq continue to be unique, even after more than 300 years of resistance to attempted erasure and assimilation. It is my hope that this exhibit will provide Mi’kmaw youth with a sense of cultural pride and provide Canadians with education about our treaty relationship and continuing presence.”
– Salina Kemp, Mi’kmaw historian and guest curator

Quick Facts:
— the exhibit uses single word concepts from the Mi’kmaw language to provide cultural context for the individual lived experiences of the participants
— Mi’kmaw people have been evolving and adapting to their environment and the tools available to them for more than 13,000 years
— North American sport and recreation is rooted in the land and uses items created by Indigenous people

2 : 5 Model canoe and doll commodity artCommunications Nova Scotia

3 : 5 Petroglyph rubbing station with three imagesCommunications Nova Scotia

4 : 5 Traditional Mi’kmaw eel and lobster leisters:spearsCommunications Nova Scotia

5 / 5 Exhibit content team in front of animation: Roger Marsters, Curator of Marine History; Amber Laurie, Assistant Curator/Registrar of Marine History; Salina Kemp, Guest Curator Communications Nova Scotia