Celina Aalders

Indigenous leaders, members of Halifax regional council and&nbsp;the public gathered outside city hall on Monday to mark the beginning of Mi'kmaq History Month and Treaty Day.

The crowd applauded as the Mi'kmaw flag was raised, a symbol of the city's commitment to truth and reconciliation, said Mayor Mike Savage.&nbsp;

Treaty Day was first proclaimed in Nova Scotia in 1993.&nbsp;The day is meant to commemorate centuries-old Peace and Friendship Treaties between the Mi'kmaq&nbsp;and the Crown.

Chief Deborah Robinson of Acadia First Nation said it's imperative these treaties are respected and upheld by everyone, particularly all levels of government.

A woman gives a speech at a microphone stand. She is wearing brown and white Indigenous regalia.

Robinson spoke at Monday's flag-raising ceremony. 

Chief Deborah Robinson

"[The treaties are] the core of our very existence —&nbsp;of who we are as Mi'kmaw people," she said in an interview.

Savage hopes to honour this request as he delivered this message directly to Robinson and Grand Chief Norman Sylliboy.

"We will be a good partner, we want to be a good partner, we hope we're showing that we intend to be a good partner in the spirit of truth and reconciliation, peace and friendship, and a future that's better than our past," he said.

Robinson said it's events like this one that promote the rich history and presence of Mi'kmaw culture.

A man is smiling at a camera. He wears a blue button-up shirt. He has reddish hair and a beard. He is wearing a beaded piece of Indigenous regalia around his neck.

Jerid Watton, originally from Glooscap First Nation, is the Halifax Regional Municipality's co-ordinator of Indigenous community outreach and research. 

Jerid Watton

Jerid Watton, an Indigenous community outreach co-ordinator with the Halifax Regional Municipality, said for him it's about pride.

"It really shows me the distance we've come as a people and as a country," he said. "Being able to celebrate my culture like this in such a public event every year —&nbsp;it just makes me feel so proud."

Residential schools tried to eradicate Mi'kmaw. The language needs help to survive

Noreen Sylliboy has taught the Mi'kmaw language to Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth for over a decade. She believes it is essential for the language's survival and more provincial support will help achieve that.

a women stands in class with Mi'kmaq words on the board

Noreen Sylliboy is shown teaching Mi'kmaw phrases, days of the week and seasons to a Grade 5 class as Truro Middle School in Truro, N.S. 

Noreen Sylliboy

Noreen Sylliboy is shown teaching Mi'kmaw phrases, days of the week and seasons to a Grade 5 class at Truro Middle School in Truro, N.S. 

Proposed Mount Uniacke quarry expansion faces opposition from East Hants municipality

The Municipality of East Hants is opposing a proposed tenfold increase to the size of a Mount Uniacke quarry. 

A view of a quarry from above. There are vehicles parked near where rock has been blasted. 

Many residents in Mount Uniacke, N.S., are opposed to a proposed large expansion of this quarry.

Mount Uniacke residents pushing back against proposed quarry expansion Image 1

Many residents in Mount Uniacke, N.S., are opposed to a proposed expansion of this quarry.

Lawyers in Nova Scotia to receive Indigenous awareness training

Lawyers in Nova Scotia will begin taking Indigenous intercultural awareness and competency training starting this month. The training is being offered in response to calls for action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.

A Canadian flag and two others flutter outside of an austere court building. 

James Michael Snow was convicted in Nova Scotia Supreme Court on Thursday after he exposed himself to a child at a Truro store. 

Nova Scotia Supreme Court

Lawyers in Nova Scotia will begin taking Indigenous intercultural awareness and competency training starting this month. 

Arrests made as police respond to large street party near Dalhousie campus

Halifax police made arrests and issued tickets at a large street gathering in an area near the Dalhousie University's Studley Campus on Sunday.

A group of police pin a man on the ground while they attempt to handcuff him.

Police say arrests were made and tickets issued at a large street party in Halifax on Sunday.

Police arrests at street party

'Is this going to survive another hurricane?' After Fiona, I ask myself this all the time

Omair Imtiaz felt light-headed seeing the extent of nature’s fury, but the spirit of determination on P.E.I. helped awaken a sense of purpose to rebuild not just physically, but emotionally and mentally as well.

A dark haired man sits outdoors with a blue house visible in the background. He's smiling at the camera. 

After post-tropical storm Fiona destroyed parts of his home, Omair Imtiaz set out to rebuild with resilience in mind.

Omair Imtiaz

Grand Chief Norman Sylliboy, Halifax Mayor Mike Savage and Chief Deborah Robinson of Acadia First Nation.

Halifax commemorates start of Mi'kmaq History Month

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