Mi'kmaq Wooden Art

02/17/2025

We are proud to celebrate Nora Bernard as the 2025 Nova Scotia Heritage Day Honouree. 🎉

A proud Mi’kmaq woman from Millbrook First Nation, Nora was a dedicated activist who fought for justice, recognition, and compensation for survivors of the Indian Residential School system. As a survivor herself, she founded the Shubenacadie Indian Residential School Association in 1987 and led a class-action lawsuit on its behalf. Her efforts inspired thousands of survivors across Canada to seek justice, leading to the largest class-action settlement in the country's history.

Nora’s legacy is defined by the incredible impact she had throughout her life. She was a caring mother, a loving family member, a loyal friend, and a strong leader for Mi’kmaq communities. Her kindness and determination continue to inspire Mi’kmaq people in their fight for truth, healing, and reconciliation.

Today, we celebrate Nora’s remarkable contributions and the lasting difference she made for Mi’kmaq communities and Indigenous people across Canada. Her spirit lives on in her children, the people she supported, and the positive change she inspired.

In recognition of Heritage Day, the Tajikeimɨk offices in Millbrook and Membertou are closed today. Offices will reopen on Tuesday, February 18, at 8:30 am.

01/25/2025

SOLD!!

Currently in transit to Stephenville NL! So happy that this unique large star, now has a home! I wish this photo did the colours justice, as it's much more vibrant in person!

Thanks for your purchase!

I am slowly coming out of winter hibernation and still have 3 orders to complete from 2024... slow slog, but month by month, day by day I am pulling myself out of my creative funk. Anyone else fall in to that over the last year or so?

01/07/2025

This calendar was developed eons ago, but it still comes incredibly close to our modern Gregorian calendar. Here's the significance of each month.

01/01/2025

Wishing you all a happy new year! 2024 was a very quiet year for me, as you’ve likely noticed…. Here’s hoping 2025 is better!

09/01/2024

Big happy birthday to Chief Ginnish of Natoaganeg First Nation (Eel Ground, NB).

This photo and order from 2017,from Chief Ginnish, literally kickstarted Mi’kmaq Wooden Art. Thank you for your continued support since 2017!

Hope you have a wonderful day celebrating!

06/22/2024

This trio of Mi’kmaq Stars, with custom hand drawn hieroglyphs and petroglyphs, is complete and ready for delivery to Farm Credit Canada. Thank you/Wela’lin for commissioning these pieces!

Using ancient Mi’kmaq hieroglyphs and petroglyphs, the designs were hand-drawn with a pyrography tool to burn the symbols into this eastern white pine eight point star to represent Farm Credit Canada’s commitment to reconciliation.

The Mi’kmaq Star is a symbol of unity for the Mi’kmaq People, but also a symbol for the sun, which is a powerful figure in traditional spiritual life. Each of the eight points are connected through a series of circles representing the “Mi’kmaq Sacred Circle” which symbolises nature, connection, cycles of the seasons, and also the cycles of life, and our relationships with the natural world around us. Each point is woven together with a sweetgrass braid.

Sweetgrass braids are made with 21 strands of sweetgrass to make a braid. The first seven strands represent seven generations behind us - our parents, grandparents - back for seven generations. Who we are and what we are is because of them. The next seven strands represent the seven sacred teachings: love, respect, honesty, courage, wisdom, truth, and humility. Simple, powerful and beautiful teachings. The last seven strands are for the seven generations in front of us: our children, our grandchildren, and children yet to be born.

When the three braids are woven together they represent yesterday, today and tomorrow... mind, body and spirit... man, woman and child... man, woman and Creator.

This Mi’kmaq star is adorned with the following symbols (from centre out):
● Mi’kmaq star following the four direction colours;
● Symbol for L’nu (native);
● Hieroglyphs: united /united forever (demonstrating commitment to reconciliation);
● Children (representing Every Child Matters: past, present and future generations);
● Sweetgrass braid (representing yesterday, today and tomorrow... mind, body and spirit... man, woman and child... man, woman and Creator); and
● Each tip includes a sweat lodge/ tipi design as well as a Mi’kmaq star petroglyph.

05/26/2024

04/10/2024

Hey Bedford NS friends!!

Check out this cozy spot to grab a drink with friends! Isn’t this awesome! Can’t wait to get back to the Halifax/Bedford and have seat at !

Photo credits to my cousin .barnaby ❤️