March 27, 2026
In early March, we were proud to host our annual symposium, bringing together communities from across the province under the theme Ta’n Telo’ltik: Honouring Mi’kmaw Identity While Preparing Youth for the Future.
Throughout the event, communities shared how they are putting this theme into action by highlighting the meaningful ways they are strengthening Mi’kmaw identity while creating opportunities for youth to grow, learn, and lead. These presentations sparked important conversations and offered inspiration for continued work in communities.
We were honoured to hear from keynote speaker Tyler Sack, whose message encouraged reflection on identity, leadership, and the path forward for Mi’kmaw youth. The symposium also featured powerful performances from youth drum groups from ABMHS and We'koqmaq whose performances added so much energy and cultural pride to the event.
Youth voices were at the heart of the event. A youth panel shared how they used their ILC funding to bring their projects to life, speaking about their experiences, challenges, and successes. Another panel featuring participants from various MK programming offered valuable insights into what they learned, how they plan to apply those lessons in their communities, and what supports they hope to see in the future. We were also treated to an amazing presentation from Ekkian Denny, a grade 4 student from Eskasoni who gave his presentation in Mi'kmaw and sang for a crowd of over 150 people.
Evenings were filled with entertainment, crafts, and opportunities to connect, creating space for relationship-building and cultural sharing. Across the symposium, there were many meaningful conversations focused on planning ahead, centering community priorities and exploring how MK can continue to support and uplift communities in the future.
Overall, the symposium was a powerful gathering which highlighted how collaboration and a shared commitment to supporting the next generation makes the Nation that much stronger.
