Bringing Baskets Home: The Overwhelming Success of the Mi’kmaw Basket Auction

The article discusses the overwhelming success of the Mi’kmaw Basket Auction, an online event held in November of the previous year, led by Delia Maguire and Malglit Pelletier. The auction aimed to support the Mi’kmawey Debert Cultural Centre (MDCC) and featured a diverse collection of baskets donated by artisans, families, and community members. It raised$ 30,462, surpassing its $5,000 goal, and highlighted the cultural significance and artistry of Mi’kmaw baskets.

The idea for the auction originated from a conversation between Maguire and Pelletier during a trip to the National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI) in Washington, D.C., where they were working on repatriating Mi’kmaw belongings. Inspired by the beautiful baskets they saw, they decided to organize an auction to bring these cultural items back home.

The auction also brought to light personal stories, such as that of Jarvis Googoo, who fulfilled a promise from a late Mi’kmaw Elder by winning a quill basket. The event was a community effort, with Stacey Maguire handling the technical and logistical challenges, and inclusivity was a priority to ensure everyone could participate.

Tim Bernard, Executive Director of MDCC, emphasized the auction’s connection to the broader “Home to Mi’kma’ki” project, which aims to create a space for Mi’kmaw language, stories, and belongings to thrive. The success of the auction is a testament to the power of community, culture, and collective action, bringing the Mi’kmaw people closer to repatriating their cultural belongings. Read the article here.