May 30, 2024
Mi'kmaw Kina'matnewey hosted the 2024 L'nuisultinej Conference in Eskasoni from May 15-17th. This was the first time we were able to host the conference since 2019 and we were so excited to see everyone.
L'nui'sultinej is a bi-annual conference which brings together Mi'kmaq people from across the Mi'kmaq Nation to look at education issues related to language preservation, enhancement and revitalization. It is a conference for parents youth, elders, community members, educators, administrators, counselors and researchers.
The theme of the event this year was Mui’watmnej L’nui’suti - Honouring our Language Warriors. We wanted to hear from fluent families, especially those who raised children and grandchildren to be speakers, to learn what they did in order to encourage such fluency across the generations.
Our event offered 3 amazing keynote speakers, several make-it workshops, an elders lounge, and numerous presentations on everything from classroom resources, wellness, using technology to support language, using language in outdoor education, and so much more! Our swag bags were filled with some very cool items such as Amanda Peters' book The Berry Pickers, some Mi'kmaw colouring books and crayons that were developed by Holly Meuse and some stickers that were replicas of our very own Yolanda Denny's beadwork.
We had over 600 attendees at the event that was hosted at ABMHS in Eskasoni. As always, the community and schools in Eskasoni were such gracious hosts and did their best to accommodate such a large crowd.
There were so many people who worked together to make this event possible and we want to thank not only the event organizers, presenters and host community, but also all of the guests who were in attendance. It wouldn't have been as successful as it was without such an engaged audience.
We are already having conversations about what we would like to do at the next one in order to make it even better and we are looking forward to seeing everyone in 2026!
