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Indigenous Resources: Pjila'si (Welcome)

This guide provides access to resources on Indigenous history, communities, and culture in Canada and NS, as well as government documents. It was developed in consultation with members of the Indigenous community in Nova Scotia and NSCC.

Land Acknowledgement

NSCC acknowledges we are in Mi’kma’ki – the unceded territory and ancestral homeland of the Mi’kmaq Nation. Our relationship is based on a series of Peace and Friendship treaties between the Mi’kmaq Nation and the Crown, dating back to 1725. In Nova Scotia we recognize that We are All Treaty People.

Image:L'nu Mawita'jik
Beadwork designed by Madonna Johnson. Madonna is an artist from Eskasoni, Unama'ki. She designed the beadwork on the pins worn by Indigenous graduates at Marconi Campus convocation.

September 30 is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Each year, September 30 marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
The day honours the children who never returned home and
Survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities. Public commemoration of the tragic and painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools is a vital component of the reconciliation process.

Learn more about the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day.

October is Mi'kmaw History Month

Treaty Day is October 1st and marks the beginning of Mi'kmaq History MonMi'kmaw History Month Poster 2024th in Nova Scotia.

Each October, community activities, events, sharing and showcasing of Mi’kmaw history and culture takes place across Nova Scotia.

For more information, visit the Mi'kmaw History Month and the Union of Nova Scotia Mi'kmaq websites.

Books and eBooks

Videos

Start Your Learning

Indigenous History & Studies

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Learning from Knowledge Keepers of Mi’kma’ki is Cape Breton University’s free, online, open-access Indigenous course designed to share knowledge and intercultural dialogue. The course explores the rich history, culture, and wisdom of Indigenous peoples in Mi’kma’ki and across Canada.

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Indigenous Canada is a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) from the University of Alberta Faculty of Native Studies that explores Indigenous histories and contemporary issues in Canada. From an Indigenous perspective, this course explores key issues facing Indigenous peoples today from a historical and critical perspective highlighting national and local Indigenous-settler relations.

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Decolonization Learning Journey is a 4-part webinar series hosted by the Community Sector Council of Nova Scotia, in partnership with CBU Unama'ki College. It was designed as a response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action. These sessions are presented by Mi'kmaq Elders and knowledge sharers and are designed to enhance personal reflection and to begin to open a dialogue on how to implement change in organizations.

iPortal

Off-Campus Access

In order to support NSCC students, staff and faculty teaching and learning from home, the majority of the resources listed here are electronic. These include e-books, articles, videos and websites. You can use NSCC Libraries' e-resources off-site by logging in with your w# and password (the same login information you use for your NSCC email). Please see the eBook Guide for help viewing and borrowing eBooks.