Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia

Written by Tammy Morris-Williams

The Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre’s Dance group began as a small project to commemorate the Centre’s anniversary (unknown date), when then Director, Gordon King asked Vivian Basque to find funding to create some regalia for a cultural event. Funded by the Department of Tourism the program started with a tiny budget, a group of volunteers, and Mi’kmaw designers. Moccassins were designed by Becky Julian, and the regalia were designed by Theresa McVee.

The dance group went through multiple evolutions over the years. Neighbouring community members joined the dancers and learned the traditional songs and dances of the MI’kmaq. In the early 90’s the group was led by Peggy Thayer, and then Tammy Morris-Williams. It was then led by Rosie Sylliboy and Theresa Morris, and when youth dancer Francis Palliser grew up, she continued the group’s activities. Throughout the mid-90’s and early 00’s the dance group dissolved and rejoined several times as funding came and went. The Mi’kmaw Child Development Centre took on the programming for several years as well.

The dance group has led to multiple program off-shoots such as the Pewei Nation Theatre, Kitpu Youth Group, Cultural workshops, Women are the Medicine, and more.  The original dancers reconnect at powwows and gatherings and are now teaching the younger generations their songs and dances and the stories that go with them.