Dal鈥檚 Mawio鈥檓i 鈥� or 鈥済athering鈥� 鈥� is a highlight of the fall events calendar on campus, and an exciting way to celebrate Mi鈥檏maq History Month. But this year鈥檚 seventh-annual edition of the event is particularly special.
That鈥檚 because the Mawio鈥檓i 鈥� which takes place Thursday, October 6, during Mi鈥檏maq History Month 鈥� will be preceded earlier that morning by a celebration at which the Mi鈥檏maq flag will be raised permanently on Dal鈥檚 Studley Campus. This will be the second such installation on Dal鈥檚 campuses, following the Agricultural Campus earlier this year.
More details: Flag raising ceremony, Mawio'mi
Valerie Armstrong, an International Development Studies student at Dal, recognizes this as a step in the right direction toward greater respect for Mi鈥檏maq cultures and traditions.
鈥淭he fact that the flag is being raised permanently is very symbolic of how Mi鈥檏maq culture has gone from marginalized within an education setting to being prominently displayed at a university,鈥� she says.
(Ryan McNutt photo)
Valerie, who is from the Paqtnkek Mi鈥檏maw Nation, stresses the importance of the celebration.
鈥淚ndigenous peoples, including the Mi鈥檏maq of Nova Scotia, have fought to preserve traditions and culture. 聽This permanent flag raising is a testament to the strength that Mi鈥檏maq peoples have, as we have culturally persevered through colonialism鈥� this strength is now being displayed as Mi鈥檏maq culture, through the flag, will be a visible feature on campus.鈥�
The flag raising takes place at 9:30 a.m. in the Studley Quad (rain location: LeMarchant Place galleria). The event will include speakers, traditional music and a smudging, along with the flag raising itself.
A campus celebration
Afterwards, the Studley Quad will host the annual Mawio鈥檓i powwow, hosted by the AV俱乐部 Indigenous Student Collective (DISC). The event (11:30 a.m. until 4 p.m., Studley Quad 鈥撀爎ain location McInnes Room, SUB) commemorates Treaty Day, held annually on October 1, which honours peace and friendship between the Mi鈥檏maq and the Crown.
鈥淚t is important to recognize and remember the treaties, and how the Mi鈥檏maq did not cede the land of Mi鈥檏ma鈥檏i to the Crown,鈥� says Valerie. The treaties were signed between the Mi鈥檏maq and the Crown to celebrate peace and friendship.聽 In the spirit of this peace and friendship, as well as reconciliation, it is important for non-indigenous community members to learn more about Mi鈥檏maq culture and become educated on Indigenous issues.鈥�
The theme for this year鈥檚 Mawio鈥檓i is "Education holds the key to reconciliation." Attendees will have the opportunity to experience a traditional Mi鈥檏maq feast, along with performers including Eastern Eagle, Smokey Point and Stoney Bear, Armadno Lucio, Chastity Lucio, and Halifax Poet Laureate Rebecca Thomas. Dr. Arig Al Shaibah, vice-provost student affairs and Frank Harvey, dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, will open the ceremony, and Michael Denny will serve as MC.
And this Friday (September 30), Canadian Roots Exchange and AV俱乐部 Elders in Residence, in collaboration with Human Rights, Equity and Harassment Prevention (HREHP) Office are hosting a Mass Blanket Exercise, open to all. The event is an interactive opportunity to learn about how the colonization of the land we now know as Canada has impacted the Indigenous peoples who lived here long before settlers arrived. (AV俱乐部 sits on traditional, unceded territory of the Mi鈥檏maq.) The event also honours Orange Shirt Day (Sept 30) in recognition of the harm the residential school system did to children's sense of self-esteem and well-being.
For more information on Mi鈥檏maq History Month visit