Culture

Download our Culture Brochure (PDF)

Culture, history, traditions, practices and language have always been central to the Epekwitnewaq Mi’kmaq story and help shape our identity. In an effort to both celebrate and educate, L’nuey introduces a new culture campaign that shines a light on past ways, highlights current contributions, and looks towards the future.

The common framework of the campaign involves Mi’kmaq youth receiving guidance and wisdom from Mi’kmaq Elders: the knowledge keepers and culture holders of the Epekwitk Mi’kmaq Nation. The campaign features traditional teachings with current practices, ensuring that they will be taught and passed on today and for future generations.

The campaign features a series of videos shot at various locations across Epekwitk (Prince Edward Island) over several days this past summer, focusing on some significant aspects of Mi’kmaq culture including the Mawi’omi, artisanship, food, and traditional medicines and teachings.

We want to take the opportunity to sincerely thank all members of the community who participated or played a role in helping bring these stories to life. We will be rolling out additional videos in the coming months and will continue to look for more opportunities to share and protect our unique culture.

Culture Videos

“Mawi’omi” means “gathering” to celebrate our culture.
Feeding our spirit. Reviving traditional foods.
Our culture is a gift. Passed from one generation to the next.
Our paths are woven. Preserving our culture.
Sharing wisdom and teaching customs protects our future.

Podcast Episodes

Strengthening Our Culture One Generation at a Time – With Elder Doreen Jenkins – Juku'e

Woven Histories – With Keptin/Elder Jimmy Bernard – Juku'e

Did you Know?

Language

Click on the words/phrases below to hear the Mi’kmaq audio pronunciation.

Download the Mi’kmaq Lexicon Dictionary

Photo Gallery

  • Corinne Chappell works on an intricate regalia pattern
  • Taite Wooldridge dancing in Cavendish
  • Lexis Francis drumming in Cavendish
  • Elder Doreen Jenkins getting ready to drum in Cavendish
  • Kelly Sark in regalia at a Lennox Island mawi’omi
  • Wigwam under construction
  • Kelly Sark with her children Shanaya and Jakoby at the Lennox Island mawi’omi
  • Preparing Luskini’kin (bannock)
  • Luskini’kin (bannock) is cooked in a fire the traditional way
  • Mikayla Bernard in her jingle dress
  • Wigwam at Skmaqn – Port la Joye – Fort Amherst
  • Basket weaving in progress – a treasured artform
  • Mikayla Bernard with some of her work on display
  • Elder Georgina Knockwood-Crane braiding sweetgrass
  • Keptin Jimmy Bernard in the foreground holding Kojua (traditional Mi’kmaq instrument), and Elder Joe John Sanipass in the background basket weaving
  • Kelly Sark, dances at the Lennox Island mawi’omi
  • Elder Joe John Sanipass basket weaving
  • Logen Lewis dances by a wigwam at a Lennox Island mawi’omi
  • Chief Darlene Bernard in regalia at a Lennox Island mawi’omi
  • Elder Georgina Knockwood Crane smudging in her regalia
  • Mikayla Bernard shows her dad, Keptin Jimmy Bernard, how to quill
  • Jenene Wooldridge at a Lennox Island mawi’omi
  • Logen Lewis dancing at a Lennox Island mawi’omi
  • Elder Peter Bernard lights a smudge bowl at the Lennox Island mawi’omi
  • Kelly Sark sharing traditions of food – how to bake Luskini’kin (bannock)
  • Miah Lush preparing for a Mi’kmaq Heritage Actors performance in Georgetown
  • Elder Doreen Jenkins with alpacas on her farm in Canoe Cove
  • Miah Lush and Lexis Francis dancing during a Mi’kmaq Heritage Actors’ performance in Cavendish
  • Riley Bernard before drumming at a Mi’kmaq Heritage Actors’ performance in Cavendish
  • Corinne Chappell sewing regalia, a special piece to be worn at gatherings and ceremonies
© L’nuey 2024. All Rights Reserved.

‘How We Say Home’ Contest Rules

  1. The contest is open to all persons who reside in Prince Edward Island and are eighteen (18) years of age or older except for employees of L’nuey, their immediate families, cohabitants, agents or contractors.
  2. To enter the giveaway, submit your full name, phone number and email address on the form at lnuey.ca/howwesayhome, and answer the question as stated in the field provided.
  3. Contest begins on November 6, 2023 at 12:00:00 a.m. AST and ends on March 4, 2024 at 11:59:59 p.m. AST
  4. The prize consists of:
    • Basket by master basket weaver, Keptin Jimmy Bernard
    • L’nuey blanket
    • L’nuey Toque
    • $200 grocery gift card
  5. Prize winner will be selected via a random draw on March 12, 2024.
  6. L’nuey will contact the Prize winner through the email address provided on the contest entry form. If it is not possible within a 48 hour period to contact the Prize winner, L’nuey will disqualify that Entry and randomly select another Entry as the winner. Once the winner is successfully contacted, they will be required to answer a skill-testing question to be verified.
  7. Once verified, the Prize winner must make arrangements with L’nuey to pick up their prize.
  8. The Prize must be accepted as described and may not be transferred to another person prior to being awarded. L’nuey retains the right to replace the Prize with a different prize of equal or greater value if the original prize becomes unavailable for reasons beyond L’nuey’s control.
  9. The name of the winner upon receiving their Prize will be posted on L’nuey’s website, as well as shared on their social channels.
  10. L’nuey reserves the right to cancel, modify or suspend the Contest without notice, for any reason, including if they are not capable of running as planned or the Contest is adversely affected by computer virus, fraud, technical failures or other causes beyond its control.
  11. All Contestants agree to be bound by the rules of the Contest and release L’nuey and all parties associated with the Contest from any liability with respect to this Contest or any prize.
  12. All decisions by L’nuey with regard to all aspects of this Contest are final.

‘Definition of Home’ Contest Rules

  1. The contest is open to all persons who reside in Prince Edward Island and are eighteen (18) years of age or older except for employees of L’nuey, their immediate families, cohabitants, agents or contractors.
  2. To enter the giveaway, submit your full name, phone number and email address on the form at lnuey.ca/ourhome, and answer the question as stated in the field provided.
  3. Contest begins on July 17, 2023 at 12:00:00 a.m. AST and ends on September 30, 2023 at 11:59:59 p.m. AST
  4. The prize consists of:
    • Basket by master basket weaver, Keptin Jimmy Bernard
    • L’nuey blanket
    • L’nuey Toque
    • $200 grocery gift card
  5. Prize winner will be selected via a random draw on October 6, 2023.
  6. L’nuey will contact the Prize winner through the email address provided on the contest entry form. If it is not possible within a 48 hour period to contact the Prize winner, L’nuey will disqualify that Entry and randomly select another Entry as the winner. Once the winner is successfully contacted, they will be required to answer a skill-testing question to be verified.
  7. Once verified, the Prize winner must make arrangements with L’nuey to pick up their prize.
  8. The Prize must be accepted as described and may not be transferred to another person prior to being awarded. L’nuey retains the right to replace the Prize with a different prize of equal or greater value if the original prize becomes unavailable for reasons beyond L’nuey’s control.
  9. The name of the winner upon receiving their Prize will be posted on L’nuey’s website, as well as shared on their social channels.
  10. L’nuey reserves the right to cancel, modify or suspend the Contest without notice, for any reason, including if they are not capable of running as planned or the Contest is adversely affected by computer virus, fraud, technical failures or other causes beyond its control.
  11. All Contestants agree to be bound by the rules of the Contest and release L’nuey and all parties associated with the Contest from any liability with respect to this Contest or any prize.
  12. All decisions by L’nuey with regard to all aspects of this Contest are final.

‘Shaping the Epekwitk of Tomorrow’ Contest Rules

  1. The contest is open to all Mi’kmaq who reside in Prince Edward Island and are eighteen (18) years of age or older except for employees of L’nuey, their immediate families, cohabitants, agents or contractors.
  2. To enter the giveaway, submit your full name, phone number and email address on the form at lnuey.ca/progress, and answer the question as stated in the field provided.
  3. Contest begins on January 23, 2022 at 12:00:00 a.m. AST and ends on April 30, 2023 at 11:59:59 p.m. AST
  4. The prize consists of:
    • Basket by master basket weaver, Keptin Jimmy Bernard
    • L’nuey blanket
    • L’nuey Toque
    • $200 grocery gift card
  5. Prize winner will be selected via a random draw on May 8, 2023.
  6. L’nuey will contact the Prize winner through the email address provided on the contest entry form. If it is not possible within a 48 hour period to contact the Prize winner, L’nuey will disqualify that Entry and randomly select another Entry as the winner. Once the winner is successfully contacted, they will be required to answer a skill-testing question to be verified.
  7. Once verified, the Prize winner must make arrangements with L’nuey to pick up their prize.
  8. The Prize must be accepted as described and may not be transferred to another person prior to being awarded. L’nuey retains the right to replace the Prize with a different prize of equal or greater value if the original prize becomes unavailable for reasons beyond L’nuey’s control.
  9. The name of the winner upon receiving their Prize will be posted on L’nuey’s website, as well as shared on their social channels.
  10. L’nuey reserves the right to cancel, modify or suspend the Contest without notice, for any reason, including if they are not capable of running as planned or the Contest is adversely affected by computer virus, fraud, technical failures or other causes beyond its control.
  11. All Contestants agree to be bound by the rules of the Contest and release L’nuey and all parties associated with the Contest from any liability with respect to this Contest or any prize.
  12. All decisions by L’nuey with regard to all aspects of this Contest are final.

‘Connected by Home’ Contest Rules

  1. The contest is open to all persons who reside in Prince Edward Island and are eighteen (18) years of age or older except for employees of L’nuey, their immediate families, cohabitants, agents or contractors.
  2. To enter the giveaway, submit your full name, phone number and email address on the form at lnuey.ca/connected, and answer the question as stated in the field provided.
  3. Contest begins on December 12, 2022 at 12:00:00 a.m. AST and ends on January 31, 2023 at 11:59:59 p.m. AST
  4. The prize consists of:
    • Basket by master basket weaver, Keptin Jimmy Bernard
    • L’nuey blanket
    • L’nuey Toque
    • $200 grocery gift card
  5. Prize winner will be selected via a random draw on February 6, 2023.
  6. L’nuey will contact the Prize winner through the email address provided on the contest entry form. If it is not possible within a 48 hour period to contact the Prize winner, L’nuey will disqualify that Entry and randomly select another Entry as the winner. Once the winner is successfully contacted, they will be required to answer a skill-testing question to be verified.
  7. Once verified, the Prize winner must make arrangements with L’nuey to pick up their prize.
  8. The Prize must be accepted as described and may not be transferred to another person prior to being awarded. L’nuey retains the right to replace the Prize with a different prize of equal or greater value if the original prize becomes unavailable for reasons beyond L’nuey’s control.
  9. The name of the winner upon receiving their Prize will be posted on L’nuey’s website, as well as shared on their social channels.
  10. L’nuey reserves the right to cancel, modify or suspend the Contest without notice, for any reason, including if they are not capable of running as planned or the Contest is adversely affected by computer virus, fraud, technical failures or other causes beyond its control.
  11. All Contestants agree to be bound by the rules of the Contest and release L’nuey and all parties associated with the Contest from any liability with respect to this Contest or any prize.
  12. All decisions by L’nuey with regard to all aspects of this Contest are final.

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