Bringing Mi’kmaw Quillwork One Step Closer to Home

In March of this year a group from the Mi’kmawey Debert Cultural Centre and skilled Mi’kmaw quillers journeyed from Nova Scotia to Washington D.C to examine quillwork belongings at the National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI). Their objective was to ensure the repatriation of delicate and elaborately quilled birch bark boxes and vessels back to their native land. Working together with conservators from NMAI the group established preservation approaches that reflect Mi’kmaw cultural traditions showcasing the profound link, between conserving heritage and empowering the community. This expedition is a component of a larger initiative to return these valuable belongings to Mi’kma’ki, reinforcing cultural pride and accessibility for future generations.

Read the Mi’kmaq-Maliseet National News article here.