Press Release: Mi’kmawey Debert selects key players for build of future centre

The Mi’kmawey Debert Cultural Centre announces the architecture and exhibit design firms selected for the build of the future Centre. 

Truro, Nova Scotia, May 27: The Mi’kmawey Debert Cultural Centre (MDCC) has selected Formline Architecture in partnership with Lydon Lynch Architects, and AldrichPears Associates to design and build the future cultural centre slated to open in Spring 2025. 

“With the guidance of our Elders’ Advisory Council and the work of our dedicated team at Mi’kmawey Debert, we were able to select the firms that exhibited the greatest understanding of our vision for the future centre,” says Tim Bernard, Executive Director of Mi’kmawey Debert. 

This next phase of the project will be highly integrated and require collaboration from both the architectural design team and the exhibition design team and will include a robust community outreach strategy. Formline Architecture, Lydon Lynch Architects, and AldrichPears Associates will work closely with the Elders’ Advisory Council and the team at Mi’kmawey Debert to bring this part of the project to fruition.  

“I’ve often said that I’m fortunate to have learned about our history from our Elders and our people,” says Donald M. Julien, Executive Director of The Confederacy of Mainland Mi’kmaq. “It’s been our dream to have a dedicated place where we can share our stories, protect our past and explore our histories as a Nation, and because of the guidance provided by our Elders’ Advisory Council we now have the blueprint for our architects and exhibit designers to bring our vision to reality.” 

Once built, the Centre will offer a robust and evolving visitor experience designed to engage visitors as they journey through Mi’kmaw history, culture, worldviews, and landscapes past and present. It will be a place for understanding, healing and reconciliation for all of Mi’kma’ki, Canada and the world. 

Additional Quotes 

“The Mi’kmawey Debert Cultural Centre will be a place of healing and pride embodying the history and stories of the Mi’kmaw People. Personally, as an Indigenous architect, it is an honour to serve the Mi’kmaw People in developing a design that captures the spirit of place and culture. Together, with Lydon Lynch we look forward to starting the engagement process to bring vision to reality for this important centre.” – Alfred Waugh, Formline Architecture 

“Lydon Lynch is honoured to be part of such an important and meaningful journey. We are further delighted to share this journey with Formline Architecture. Together, with the  
Elders, project team, community leaders and stakeholders, we hope to create a cultural experience that is rooted in meaning and place.” – Eugene Pieczonka, Principal, Lydon Lynch Architects 

“AldrichPears Associates is honoured to participate in the planning and design of the Mi’kmawey Debert Cultural Centre, as part of a multidisciplinary team. We are excited about our involvement in this nationally significant project and look forward to collaborating with the entire team as we work together to understand and evolve MDCC’s vision into a fully realized cultural centre.” – AldrichPears Associates  

About the Mi’kmawey Debert Cultural Centre Project  

The Mi’kmawey Debert Cultural Centre (MDCC) project is a charitable, not-for-profit First Nations organization, mandated by all thirteen Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Chiefs. The project is administered through The Confederacy of Mainland Mi’kmaq, a First Nation tribal council. The Mi’kmawey Debert Cultural Centre became incorporated as a society in 2001 and gained charitable status as an organization in 2002. The MDCC is dedicated to sharing, protecting and exploring the stories and lives of our earliest ancestors and those who have come after them in Mi’kma’ki. 

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For more information, contact:  
Tim Bernard, Executive Director 
Mi’kmawey Debert Cultural Centre  
P: (902) 603-1027   
C: (902) 890-5417   
Email: tim@cmmns.com   

For media inquiries, contact:  
Solange Richer de Lafleche, Communications Officer 
Mi’kmawey Debert Cultural Centre  
P: (902) 603-1023 
C: (902) 324-3820  
solange@cmmns.com  

More information:

Press Release MDCC_Architecture and Exhibition Announcement_May 2021