Weaving Narratives: Nourishing Kinship through stories of Self-Determination from women of the non-status Mi’kmaq nation

Despite adversity towards the non-status Mi’kmaq community their resiliency remains grounded in cultural values, providing a depth of experiences and knowledge. This study will work alongside one of the largest self-governing grassroots organizations within Nova Scotia, the Native Council of Nova Scotia (NCNS), to tell the stories of self-determination and resilience of the non-status Mi’kmaq community. Using an Indigenous-feminist framework this study will focus on the experiences of Mi’kmaq women, their relational stories to kinship and care-taking, as acts of self-determination and resiliency for the community (Strathern, 2014). Given the current and historical silencing of the non-status Mi’kmaq community, these stories of resilience will reveal a glimpse into the distinct culture, ethical, social, and political worldviews that have existed long before colonization. The stories captured and knowledge garnered will contribute to the current and limited literature on non-status experiences in Canada, and aid in the understanding of communal kinship that goes ‘beyond blood.’ It is our hope that this research will contribute to NCNS’s work in educating and advocating for those that have been stripped of their Treaty rights and cultural identity.

Faculty Supervisor:

Mary Sweatman

Student:

Partner:

Native Council of Nova Scotia

Discipline:

Sociology

Sector:

Other services (except public administration)

University:

Acadia University

Program: