First Nation people

The Mi'kmaq travelled in wide-bottomed canoes made of birchbark over a wooden frame. The 3–8 metre canoes could travel far out to sea and on shallow streams. They were light enough for one person to carry. In cold weather, sleds and snowshoes were used to travel over snow.

Living close to the coast, the Mi'kmaq depended heavily on the sea for food, hunting fish, seals and seabirds. They also hunted moose, beaver and porcupine, and gathered birds' eggs and edible plants. Meat and fish were dried, smoked and stored for food in the harsh winter months.

In their leisure time, the Mi'kmaq enjoyed telling stories, singing and dancing. They smoked a tobacco made from native plants, played waltes (similar to dice) and ball games and had contests of running, wrestling and shooting.

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Mi'kmaq today

In 1996 the indigenous population of Nova Scotia numbered around 12 500, with most of these belonging to the Mi'kmaq nation. Today, the Mi'kmaq people live in Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, parts of New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Quebec in Canada. They also live in Maine and Massachusetts in the USA. There is a growing interest in their traditional music, ceremonies and language.

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