Melissa White Mi’kmaw Artist

06/13/2026

Last minute prep for vending at the Wolves Cup tomorrow. Thankful they are having me. I’ll be there from 11:00-2:00 if anyone is interested in some of my prints or just want to come chat 🙂.

06/09/2026

Book is now available to read. Click links below.
Truly inspiring and meaningful pieces.

1st link is the entire book , 2nd link is to Julie and i’s. 🙂

https://pressbooks.atlanticoer-relatlantique.ca/storiesofdecolonization/

https://pressbooks.atlanticoer-relatlantique.ca/storiesofdecolonization/chapter/5-learned-trauma-informed-care-because-i-had-to-live-it/

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18sizLNqpg/?mibextid=wwXIfr

On June 23rd, faculty in Mount Saint Vincent University’s Child & Youth Study Department, and the Halifax Public Libraries, will host a fireside conversation and Q&A to raise awareness of reconciliation efforts in child and youth education, research, and practice.

When: Tuesday, June 23, 2026, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Where: Paul O’Regan Hall at the Halifax Central Library, 5440 Spring Garden Road

All are welcome. Advance registration is not required.

Learn more: https://www.msvu.ca/fireside-chat-to-highlight-reconciliation-in-child-and-youth-work/

The below artwork was created by Melissa White of Sipekne'katik.

Child and Youth Study at the Mount Halifax Public Libraries

05/31/2026

I am truly proud of this project and deeply honored that Kateri entrusted me with the images. It moved me to tears when she shared that this initiative was born from the creativity of the students in the Mi’kmaw language program, and her tireless efforts to bring it to fruition are nothing short of inspiring.

The result is a stunning celebration of our culture. Sharing this heritage with future generations is the very essence of why I embarked on my professional art journey. Each project not only enriches my skills but also deepens my understanding of our traditions, which I find incredibly fulfilling.

Wela’lin /Thank you
once again for this remarkable opportunity.

04/28/2026

Hoping someday to get a meta quest for murals. Such amazing technology.

04/25/2026

I had the pleasure again this year of volunteering with Discover Abilities to put on an art class. This year we did Totes with one of my designs. All the students did such a beautiful job.

Thank you guys for having me.
Can’t wait for next year already. 💕

03/08/2026

Mason rocking a complete outfit with his Bigfoot I designed him. He makes such a Handsome little model. 🥰

02/17/2026

Meeting with Shannon was truly a blessing. When she invited me to meet her friend Rolf, I had no idea what to expect.

Last Monday, after a snowstorm had postponed our initial meeting, I drove to one of the most breathtaking places I've ever encountered. The gallery, “Friends United,” felt like the missing puzzle piece in my journey, bridging spiritual and artistic connections. The inspiration and beauty within those walls were overwhelming—in the best possible way. I could have easily stayed there forever.

Though I was a bundle of nerves during the three-hour drive, the meeting itself felt like a warm reunion with family. I left feeling absolutely exhilarated by the support and encouragement from such remarkable individuals.

This adventure is just beginning, and I couldn’t feel more blessed and honored than I do right now.

02/14/2026

I will only say this once…

I have been asked countless times about the drug issues on my reserve and the current state of emergency. This is not just a problem for our community; it’s a challenge that affects many, and we are actively working to support our people.

Let me be clear: we face no more of a drug problem than other areas in the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM). I see it everywhere, even in more affluent neighborhoods. The media tends to focus on us because the non-Native government wants to frame this as a crisis linked to cannabis stores—especially since they aren't receiving tax revenue from those sales. However, the RCMP has stated there is no evidence that hard drugs are being trafficked through these cannabis shops.

The key difference is that our leaders are taking action. We don’t have a tent city in our community, and yet, the overdoses happening in Halifax go largely unnoticed.

If anyone in our community seeks help, we come together to support them. This statement is directed at Sipekne’katik, demonstrating our unity in the fight to protect our next generation from the colonial impacts of hard drugs.

Meanwhile, non-Native governments perpetuate racist stereotypes that only serve to harm our people and undermine the progress we've made together. This is not a step toward reconciliation. We have made significant strides, but we have much more to learn as a society.

-Melissa White,
a proud Sipekne'katik band member.