June 2, 2026
On May 14 and 15, over 650 participants gathered in Eskasoni for this year’s L’nui’sultinej conference, bringing together teachers, Elders, language experts, educators, and community members from across Mi’kma’ki and beyond to celebrate and strengthen the Mi’kmaw language.
The theme of this year’s conference, Apaja’tu’kw Ta’n I’tlo’ltimkip: Land & Sea-Based Learning, highlighted the importance of connecting language learning to the land, water, and traditional ways of knowing. Throughout the two-day event, attendees had the opportunity to learn from inspiring keynote speakers, engage in hands-on workshops, and hear presentations from a long list of dedicated language champions.
The conference opened with a powerful keynote presentation from a group visiting from Hawaii. They shared their journey of revitalizing and reclaiming their language through immersion education and community-driven efforts. Students from their immersion school also joined the presentation, offering attendees a firsthand look at the impact language revitalization can have on younger generations. Their story inspired many in attendance and reinforced the importance of continuing efforts to protect and strengthen Indigenous languages.
On the second day, attendees learned about the possibilities of incorporating language with technology through a keynote focused on virtual reality language games. Presenters shared innovative work being done to create immersive VR experiences that support language learning in engaging and interactive ways, demonstrating how technology can play an important role in the future of language revitalization.
Outside of the keynote sessions, participants had many workshops to choose from, including hands-on “make it” workshops and presentations focused on teaching strategies, language resources, cultural learning, and community initiatives. The conference created opportunities for meaningful conversations, collaboration, and knowledge sharing among educators, fluent speakers, and learners alike.
The success of L’nui’sultinej would not have been possible without the many presenters, speakers, volunteers, and organizers who generously shared their knowledge and experiences. Their dedication continues to strengthen the future of the Mi’kmaw language for generations to come.
Wela’lioq to everyone who attended and helped make this year’s conference such a meaningful and inspiring gathering.
