Mi’kmaq Storytelling

The Mi’kmaq Confederacy of PEI (MCPEI) has partnered with the PEI Museum and Heritage Foundation to bring vibrant cultural programming to Basin Head Provincial Park this summer. The weekly Mi’kmaq Storytelling Series will feature cultural performances on Saturdays at 1:30 pm, July 4–August 29 (except July 11 and August 8), and Mini Mawio’mis on select Sundays at 2 pm, July 12–August 9. The series is free to attend, and performances will move indoors to the Basin Head Fisheries Museum in case of inclement weather.

The Mi’kmaq Storytelling Series is a celebration of Indigenous culture, inviting Islanders and visitors alike to experience traditional Mi’kmaq storytelling, singing, drumming, and dancing. Led by Epekwitk’s own Mi’kmaq Storyteller Julie Pellissier-Lush and the Mi’kmaq Heritage Actors, these captivating performances honour the rich traditions, history, and spirit of the Mi’kmaq People.

“[Mi’kmaq Heritage Actors] performances of cultural traditions are vibrant, energetic, fun, and educational,” says Elizabeth MacDonald, site manager at the Basin Head Fisheries Museum. “They invite us to better understand…our connections to the land, sea, and air.”

The series was launched in 2024 to mark the 20th anniversary of the Basin Head Marine Protected Area — the only marine protected area on PEI. Coordinated by MCPEI’s Integrated Resource Management Team, the program celebrates the deep connection between the Mi’kmaq people and the land and ocean, while highlighting the shared responsibility to protect and preserve our marine environment.

“The Mi’kmaq have been stewards of this land and ocean for millennia,” says MCPEI Executive Director of Kateri Coade. “Bringing our stories back to Basin Head is a reminder that protecting our environment begins with listening to those who have been here since the beginning.”

Mawio’mi, meaning “gathering” in Mi’kmaq, is a joyful cultural celebration where First Nations communities come together to share traditions through drumming, dancing, storytelling, and more.

Visit mcpei.ca/events for more information.