Indigenous Awareness Week, taking place May 19–23, celebrates Epekwitnewaq Mi’kmaq (Mi’kmaq of PEI), recognizes the enduring presence of Mi’kmaw culture and language in Epekwitk, and reflects on the shared path toward reconciliation. Epekwitk remains the traditional and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq. 

Through L’nuey, numerous initiatives are taking place to commemorate Indigenous Awareness Week. Among them, the Reconciliation Recognition Award continues to honour individuals and organizations who demonstrate a meaningful and ongoing commitment to reconciliation. This year’s recipients are Geraldine Peters, the Kensington Intermediate Senior High School (KISH) School Goals Committee, Charity Becker, and Olive Crane. These honourees have been recognized for their efforts to advance reconciliation through education, advocacy, leadership, cultural awareness, and meaningful relationship-building with Epekwitnewaq Mi’kmaq. 

“We are honoured to recognize this year’s recipients for the important work they are doing to strengthen understanding and relationships across Epekwitk,” said Chief Tabatha Bernard of Lennox Island First Nation. “Indigenous Awareness Week is also an opportunity to celebrate the continued growth of our Mi’kmaw place names initiative, which helps restore and share the original language of this land.” 

As part of broader efforts to honour Mi’kmaw heritage, L’nuey continues to work with the Government of Prince Edward Island to install Mi’kmaw place name signs across the province. New signs have been added in Pita’q Jipu’ji’j (Long Creek) and Niwejk (Nail Pond), bringing the total installed since 2020 to 47 and highlighting the enduring connection of the Mi’kmaq across Epekwitk. 

“This week is about recognizing the people and places that uplift Mi’kmaw history, language, and culture,” remarked Chief Junior Gould of Abegweit First Nation. “While this year’s award recipients are helping strengthen relationships and understanding, new Mi’kmaw place name signs ensure our language and stories continue to be visible and honoured throughout Epekwitk.” 

“Indigenous Awareness Week is an important time to recognize Mi’kmaw culture, language, and the contributions of this year’s Reconciliation Recognition Award recipients,” said Premier Rob Lantz. “The Province is pleased to continue collaborating with L’nuey on initiatives like the Mi’kmaw place name signs, which help honour Mi’kmaw language, history, and identity while creating opportunities for learning.” 

L’nuey’s Indigenous Awareness Week activities will be held virtually. Islanders are encouraged to follow along on social media and at lnuey.ca to learn more about Mi’kmaw place names, this year’s Reconciliation Recognition Award recipients, and other initiatives celebrating Mi’kmaw language and culture. 

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Backgrounder 

The Epekwitk Assembly of Councils “Reconciliation Recognition Award” is granted to recipients based on a series of criteria that serves to recognize, respect, and include Epekwitnewaq Mi’kmaq (Mi’kmaq of PEI), culture, stories, history, or land in such a way that it creates a positive and inclusive Island community with lasting impacts for future generations. 

The Epekwitk Assembly of Councils is the joint forum that oversees and governs organizations that act in the shared interest of Abegweit First Nation and Lennox Island First Nation. 

Comprised of the full Councils of both First Nations, the Assembly currently administers two organizations that are provincial in scope: L’nuey, and the Mi’kmaq Confederacy of PEI. 

The 2026 Reconciliation Recognition Award Recipients are: 

Geraldine Peters 
Geraldine Peters has demonstrated a lifelong commitment to preserving and protecting the genealogical histories, family records, and stories of Epekwitnewaq Mi’kmaq families. Through decades of dedicated work, she has helped countless individuals reconnect with their ancestry, family ties, and cultural identity. 

Her deep historical knowledge and extensive personal archives have played an important role in advancing understanding of Mi’kmaw family histories. Geraldine’s contributions to the development of Tlapeksti – L’nuey’s genealogy database – have strengthened an important resource for families and communities seeking to reclaim connections and preserve Mi’kmaw history for future generations. 

Kensington Intermediate Senior High (KISH) School Goals Committee 
The Kensington Intermediate Senior High (KISH) School Goals Committee has demonstrated meaningful leadership in advancing reconciliation by embedding the principles of reconciliation and the Seven Sacred Teachings into school culture and learning. Through reflection activities, guided discussions, and ongoing engagement, the committee has created opportunities for students and staff to connect Indigenous teachings to everyday life. Their efforts help foster empathy, understanding, and respect, while encouraging meaningful conversations about truth, history, and reconciliation. 

Charity Becker 
Charity Becker has demonstrated a strong commitment to advancing reconciliation through her work in creating a culturally safe, respectful, and inclusive learning environment at Charlottetown Rural High School. 

By centring Indigenous voices, perspectives, and meaningful dialogue in the classroom, Charity encourages students to think critically about truth, history, and reconciliation. Through her leadership, she is helping build greater understanding, empathy, and meaningful action among the next generation. 

Olive Crane 
Olive Crane has demonstrated an ongoing commitment to advancing reconciliation through her community work, relationship-building, and support for development within Abegweit First Nation. Through senior leadership roles focused on intergovernmental affairs and strategic planning, Olive has helped foster meaningful partnerships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous governments, organizations, and communities. Her collaborative approach and longstanding commitment