AV俱乐部

In 1993 Premier John Savage and Mi鈥檏maw Grand Chief Ben Sylliboy declared October as Mi鈥檏maw History month 鈥� the official month to recognize and celebrate Mi鈥檏maw culture and heritage.

As part of this celebration, Mr. Gerald Gloade will give a presentation on Mi鈥檏maw Ecology and the 13 moons.聽 Mr. Gloade is an artist and cultural educator who provides workshops, presentations, guided walks and classroom visits to people of all ages in Nova Scotia.

A renowned Mi鈥檏maw artist, Mr. Gloade was recognized by the Royal Canadian Mint鈥檚 鈥淢y Canada, My Inspiration鈥� coin design contest. Gerald honours the Mi鈥檏maw Nation by sharing Mi鈥檏maw stories, legends, archaeology, and history through his many presentations with the Mi鈥檏mawey Debert Cultural Centre.

Mi鈥檏maw Ecology and the 13 moons
by Gerald Gloade
11:30 a.m. October 13^th, 2021
Alumni Theatre, Agricultural Campus

The Mi鈥檏maw ecological calendar is based on the 13 Moons

鈥淲e, the Mi鈥檏maw, observe a 13-month annual calendar based on the 13 times the moon travels around the earth each year,鈥� explained Gloade.

Each of the months is named after something that takes place in the environment during that moon period. Mi鈥檏 maw is a verb- based language.聽 For example, April is known as Penamuikus or Birds lay eggs.聽 March is Siwkewikus or Maple sugar.

鈥淧attern recognition was the key to pre-contact survival,鈥� he added.

The movement of the moon and its phases, as it circled the earth as the earth traveled around the sun on its annual journey, gave an ever-changing view of the night sky. Using pattern recognition and creating stories of star patterns that formed images in the form of constellations became indicators of time!

Learn more at his presentation as part of Mi鈥檏maw History Month on October 13^th.