The Mahone Bay Museum is located on unceded land in the territory of Mi’kma’ki. ‘L’Nu’k,’ meaning ‘the people’ in the Mi’kmaw language, have occupied and honoured these lands for over 10,000 years.
This exhibit text is located in the Museum and has been developed with the help of local Mi’kmaw. The goal of this exhibit is to decolonize our space by encouraging visitors to learn about the history of this area from the perspective of the Mi’kmaq.
Spelling and Pronunciation
Why we no longer say “Mic Mac”: When referring to the Mi’kmaq people it is important to use the words, spelling, and pronunciation that they use. The French and English colonizers interpreted and altered the Mi’kmaw words they heard to fit their own language structures, resulting in the use of incorrect words such as “mic-mac”. Using the correct pronunciation and spelling is respectful and helps to decolonize the existing misinterpretations of the Mi’kmaw language still used by non-Mi’kmaw people today.
Pronunciation Guide:
Mi’kmaw: “meeg-gm-ow” is the singular form and is used to describe individuals or as an adjective describing an object or concept connected to the culture. For example, “A Mi’kmaw woman told me about the history of her culture.” The language is also referred to as Mi’kmaw.
Mi’kmaq: “meeg-gm-ach” with a guttural ch, is the plural form of the word Mi’kmaw and is used to describe the Mi’kmaq people as a collective group. For example, “Mi’kmaq history is often shared through oral tradition.”
Mi’kma’ki: “meeg-gm-aa-gi” is the name of the Mi’kmaq territory.
For information on the history of the Mi’kmaq in Nova Scotia, please download our 5 page “Introduction to the History of Mi’kmaq” that provides more details here: Mi’kmaw Exhibit 2024 Mahone Bay Museum