People & Cultures

Mi'kmaq & Indigenous Heritage

Cape Breton Island was originally called Unama’ki by the Mi’kmaw People. Unama’ki is one of the traditional districts of Mi'kma'ki, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaw People. Their deep connection to the land, water and spirit of the Island has endured since time immemorial and continues to shape its identity today.

Visitors can explore Mi’kmaw culture through storytelling, art, music and hands-on experiences like drum-making or learning about traditional knowledge and teachings. Community events and cultural centres offer meaningful ways to learn, reflect and engage with this living heritage.

The Mi’kmaq are not just part of Cape Breton’s history, they are central to its present and future.