2022 Award Recipients
Town of Stratford (Mayor Steve Ogden)
The Town of Stratford is being recognized for a Reconciliation Recognition Award for actions taken towards reconciliation by acknowledging the contributions of the Mi’kmaq through various initiatives and activities. This includes the installation of six Mi’kmaq place names during National Indigenous History Month 2021, which acknowledge and appreciate the history of the community as a Mi’kmaq summer camping location. This was a welcome complement to L’nuey’s signage initiative with the Province, extending Mi’kmaq place names to recognize our language and presence on this Island.
Other actions taken by The Town of Stratford include a history of incorporating Mi’kmaq elements during various events, highlighting achievements including the Michael Thomas statue erected in 2017 and commemorating the first annual National Truth and Reconciliation Day last September.
Town of Kensington (Mayor Rowan Caseley)
The Town of Kensington is being recognized as one of the recipients of the 2022 Reconciliation Recognition Award for establishing a true path toward reconciliation by focusing efforts on building a strong and lasting relationship with the Mi’kmaq. This included Kensington’s mural unveiling ceremony at the Schurman Gazebo in May 2021 which features Mi’kmaq as well as other cultures and landmarks, recognizing the Mi’kmaq presence on Epekwitk; and other initiatives such as raising the Mi’kmaq Grand Council Flag at last year’s Treaty Day event.
Municipality of West River (Mayor Helen Smith-MacPhail)
The Rural Municipality of West River has been working towards reconciliation with the Mi’kmaq particularly in recognition of being the first municipality in PEI to adopt both English and Mi’kmaq names for its electoral boundary wards. In 2021 when looking at ward changes, the Electoral Boundaries Commission recommended that Mi’kmaq names should be used in addition to English names and numbers. The EAC approved the use of these names and changes to the areas, boundaries and names of the wards come into effect for the next scheduled election later this year. Additionally, West River, is part of this year’s Provincial signage initiative and has had a new Mi’kmaq place name/sign (Ji’ka’we’katik), installed.
Receiver Coffee – Brass Shop (co-owner Colleen MacKay)
Receiver Coffee – the Brass Shop is being recognized as one of the recipients of the 2022 Reconciliation Recognition Award for a special initiative last summer to work with the Mi’kmaq community to showcase Mi’kmaq talents and culture with the public featuring basket weaving, dancing, drumming, and quill making. For four weeks every Saturday last August, this business hosted artisanship, music, and entertainment at its Water Street location. With this wonderful opportunity, Epekwitk community members had a beautiful location to showcase their talents and share their culture – that was only topped by the gracious way the staff looked after them with food, water, supplies and everything they needed to present their art.