Host Community

Membertou (2010)

2016 Hosts

The community of Membertou belongs to the greater tribal group of the Mi’Kmaw Nation.

Membertou is situated 3km from the heart of the city of Sydney, Nova Scotia, within its tribal district of Unama’ki (Cape Breton). It is one of five Mi’Kmaw communities in Cape Breton, and one of thirteen in the Province of Nova Scotia.

Membertou is an urban First Nation community consisting of over 1400 people, and one of 5 communities that make up the Cape Breton Regional Municipality, with a total population of over 115 thousand people. Membertou was not always situated at its present location. Many years ago, Membertou (formally known as the Kings Road Reserve) was located just off of Kings Road, along the Sydney harbor. In 1916, the Exchequer Court of Canada ordered the relocation of the 125 Mi’kmaq; the first time an Aboriginal community had been legally forced through the courts to relocate in Canadian history. In 1926, the Membertou Community was officially moved to its present day location. 

 

Wagmatcook (2011)

Located between the villages of Baddeck and Whycocomagh, Wagmatcook’s combination of beautiful scenery and full service communities nearby make it an ideal community to host the 2011 Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Summer Games.Wagmatcook First Nation has a Mi’kmaq cultural and heritage centre, with a museum, exhibits, craft shop and restaurant.

Eskasoni (2012)

Nestled alongside the beautiful Bras d’Or Lake in Eastern Cape Breton Island, Eskasoni First Nation is the largest Mi’kmaq community in the world. Deeply rooted here is our Mi’kmaq culture. We are proud to say that we are home to the largest Mi’kmaq speaking community with close ties to traditional culture and beliefs.
 
We have made great strides in developing a solid infrastructure on which to grow and prosper including our own community-operated school system from kindergarten to grade 12, supermarket, community rink and cultural centre. We also have a large private-sector base.
 
The community of Eskasoni has a proud history of supporting its young population with events that promote a healthy and active lifestyle among its 4,000 community members. With a dedication to improving the lives of its future generation, the Eskasoni community strives to be culturally rich and respectful of its ecosystem based on concepts of shared responsibility.

Waycobah (2013)

Waycobah First Nation, an historic Mi’kmaq community nestled along the shores of the world-famous Bras d’Or Lakes. Our traditional name is We’ko’kmaq and our community members enjoy a long history of pride in our heritage. Today’s Waycobah is a thriving community with a state-of-the-art school and health centre, private businesses that cater to Cape Breton Island tourists and local residents, and a vibrant cultural environment.


 

Potlotek (2014)

Potlotek (Chapel Island) First Nation is located along the Bras’dor Lakes in Cape Breton Nova Scotia, 10 km east of St. Peters village and located approximately 69 km southwest of Sydney.  The Mi’kmaq community has a total population of approximately 575 living on-reserve. Total registered population is 700. (INAC)
 
Chapel Island was designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 2003. It is recognized as an ancient place of meeting for the Mi’kmaq. It is recognized as a sacred and spiritual place for the community and a traditional meeting place for the Grand Council.
 
Chapel Island is the longest continuous mission in Canada. St. Anne, who is celebrated on July 26th, is the Patron Saint of Housekeepers, the grandmother of Jesus. People came from far and wide to worship her at this holy place, where all marriages, baptisms, communions, and burials took place. It is also where the different “clans” came to share information of their area with other MI’kmaq. These ceremonies continue to this day, and are known as Sante’ Mawio’mi. During the Mission, the Mi’kmaq Grand Council holds a yearly review of the past year and presents this information to the Assembly. Historically, the Grand Council met annually at Malagawatch; but with the baptism of Grand Chief Membertou, along with 210 Mi’kmaq in 1610, the missionaries incorporated this yearly event with the celebration of St. Anne.

Millbrook (2015)

The Millbrook First Nation is located in the Hub of Nova Scotia within the Town of Truro. Millbrook First Nation is a Mi’kmaq community of 1,729 Band members, 847 band members live on reserve. Millbrook also has reserve/community land in Beaver Dam, Sheet Harbour and Cole Harbour. The Millbrook community has thrived in economic development in the past decade, which includes the development of the Truro Power Centre, development  in Cole Harbour (apartment buildings, General Dynamics) to name a few, which leads to each and every band member sharing the benefits. Millbrook currently invests 1.4 million into the National Child Benefit Reinvestment and 1.2 million a year into Trust Funds for our band members under the age of 19.

Millbrook Medal Count