Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston, 13 chiefs and a host of other dignitaries were at Potlotek First Nation Sunday morning for the proclamation of the new Mi’kmaw Language Act.
The act saw Mi’kmaw officially recognized as the province’s first language.
For Pictou Landing First Nation Chief Andrea Paul, the proclamation is historic.
“I felt like I was part of history,” Paul said. “That’s something that’s so important.”
The move is also monumental for Escasoni First Nation Chief Leroy Denny.
“Just decades ago, our language was not welcome here in this land,” Denny explained. “We were forced to lose our language and not speak it.”
The Prime Minister believes the Mi’kmaw Language Act is another important step on the road to reconciliation.
“It’s a step for the community to know that their province supports them and sees the importance of their language in this case, but their culture in general,” Houston said.
In addition to ceremony and symbolism, the act will make the Mi’kmaw language more visible.
“We’ll be able to teach it in all schools, not just Mi’kmaq schools, not just Mi’kmaq communities, but across the province,” Denny said.
Although the legislation was announced on Sunday, it was first passed by the provincial legislature in April.
Mi’kmaq chiefs signed a resolution to uphold and uphold the provincial legislation on behalf of their respective communities.
“Hopefully, this sets a precedent for other provinces,” Paul said. “Because, as our Great Chief said, if we lose our language, we have nowhere to go to regain it.”
Sunday’s historic Mi’kmaw language law will go into effect on Oct. 1, which is also Treaty Day.
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