Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Nova Scotia Museum @novascotiamuseum.bsky.social · 2h

Either Mrs. Maloney or Mrs. Christopher Paul of Shubenacadie made the seat and back panels for this quilled, birch-bark chair in 1892, most likely for an Indian Agent.

This Porcupine Quill-Work Chair is on display at the Museum of Natural History.

1

Nova Scotia Museum @novascotiamuseum.bsky.social · 2h

What do you get when you combine traditional Mi’kmaw quill work with furniture-making techniques of the 1800s? A triumph in design that became all the rage in Victorian Nova Scotia.

The chair has a dark, reddish-brown stained wood frame with turned legs and a carved, scalloped crest rail supported by small spindles. The key feature is the decorative splint-woven back panel and woven seat.

The tall, rectangular back panel is filled with woven materials decorated with porcupine quills, dyed fibers, or fabric appliques in a vibrant, complex geometric design. The pattern features a large central eight-pointed star or rosette in light brown, red, blue, and black, surrounded by bold wedges and checkerboard patterns in white, red, black, and gold/tan.

1 2 10

Nova Scotia Museum @novascotiamuseum.bsky.social · 23h

This quill box is one of the oldest in our collection. We think it was made for a resident of Elmsdale in the 1800s and was given to the Nova Scotia Museum for safekeeping in 1931.

This quill box is on display at the Museum of Natural History.

Quill box. The sides of the three stacked layers are wrapped with alternating dark and white or light-colored porcupine quills or birchbark, forming repeating geometric patterns (primarily diamonds, crosses, and squares).The removable lid is oval-shaped and decorated with a contrasting design.

4

Nova Scotia Museum @novascotiamuseum.bsky.social · 23h

The Mi’kmaq have long used porcupine quills and birch bark to make objects of great beauty. The technique involves inserting the tips of the quills into holes made in wet bark, which contracts as it dries, holding the quills firmly in place. Artists then cut the bark into different shapes.

Quill box. The removable lid is oval-shaped and decorated with a contrasting design.

1 1 1

Nova Scotia Museum @novascotiamuseum.bsky.social · 1d

As you wish

Nova Scotia Museum @novascotiamuseum.bsky.social · 2d

The basket also demonstrates the remarkable qualities of ash as a basketry material. Both strong and supple, ash splints are equally well-suited to fashioning sturdy work baskets and fine, decorative pieces like this one.

3

Nova Scotia Museum @novascotiamuseum.bsky.social · 2d

This Mi’kmaw sewing basket, with its hanging balls, decorative rosettes and nesting bird, is the culmination of centuries of basket-making skill. Imagine the patience and attention to detail that’s required to make a work of art like this one.

#mikmaq #mikmawhistorymonth #mikmaw

A close-up photograph of a Mi'kmaq sewing basket. The basket is two-tiered: a larger, rounded bowl rests on a smaller, flared base that resembles a pedestal. The body of the basket is woven with horizontal and vertical splints, creating a tight rectangular pattern.

The basket is highly decorated with various woven ornaments. Around the top tier are several flattened, stylized flowers. The lid is slightly domed and has a woven, looped handle on top, with a small, woven, cone-shaped decoration placed next to it. Several other small, cone-shaped ornaments hang from the lower edge of the top tier and are applied to the base.

2 6 22

Nova Scotia Museum @novascotiamuseum.bsky.social · 6d

Unexpected closure
Clifton Museum Park will be closed for the rest of the day, October 1, 2025. and all day tomorrow, October 2, 2025.

Graphic with text Unexpected closure, Clifton Museum Park.

1 3

Nova Scotia Museum @novascotiamuseum.bsky.social · 7d

Treaty Day marks the start of Mi'kmaw History Month in Nova Scotia.

The goal of the month is to help Nova Scotians build awareness of Mi’kmaw history & heritage & to increase understanding of the province’s rich Mi’kmaw culture.

We are all Treaty People.

archives.novascotia.ca/mikmaq/resul...

A page from the Peace and Friendship Treaties at the Nova Scotia Archives.

4 11

Nova Scotia Museum @novascotiamuseum.bsky.social · 9d

These ceramics are currently on display at the Museum of Natural History in the Pjila'si gallery.

4

Nova Scotia Museum @novascotiamuseum.bsky.social · 9d

Roger believes there are many more ceramic pieces like these in antique shops or personal collections. We welcome anyone with similar pieces to contact us. Work like this is helping to fill in a huge blank spot in the history of Residential Schools. museum.novascotia.ca/blog/residen...

A glossy, dark brown ceramic cat figurine sits next to a shallow bowl with a vibrant green, red, and brown mottled glaze. Both objects are positioned on a solid white background.

1 4 8

Nova Scotia Museum @novascotiamuseum.bsky.social · 9d

These pieces were then sold to the public, as seen from the price sticker on the bottom of the cat. The profits likely never found their way back to the creators.

The unglazed, orange-brown ceramic base of a bowl with a colorful green, red, and brown mottled glaze visible around the bottom rim. A small, circular, faded yellow label is affixed to the center of the terracotta base, reading 'INDIAN RES. SCHOOL SHUBIE NOVA SCOTIA,' referring to the Shubenacadie Residential School.

The underside of a glossy brown ceramic cat figurine, isolated on a white background. The base is covered in thick red felt and features two paper labels. A rectangular label reads '$7.00'. A circular, faded label is centered on the felt, bearing the handwritten text: 'MICMAC [partially obscured] INDIAN RES. SCHOOL SHUBIE NOVA SCOTIA,' referring to the Shubenacadie Residential School.

1 6

Nova Scotia Museum @novascotiamuseum.bsky.social · 9d

Speaking with community members and antique shop owners allowed Roger to locate two pieces made at the Shubenacadie Residential School. The bowl and cat pictured here are examples of what Roger found.

1 4

Nova Scotia Museum @novascotiamuseum.bsky.social · 9d

A few years ago, Roger Lewis (Mi’kmaq Cultural Heritage Curator, now retired) discovered a photo of ceramics made at the Shubenacadie Residential School between 1940-1950. In the picture, young Mi’kmaw boys gather with beautiful ceramic vases.

Roger Lewis, in the field examining a petroglyph.

1 4 21

Nova Scotia Museum @novascotiamuseum.bsky.social · 12d

It offers a platform for Mi’kmaw people to express their continued experiences.

Open on September 30 the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation from 9:30 am to 8 pm with Free Admission.

An interactive station in the Ta’n Me’j Tel-keknuo’ltiek gallery where visitors can re-create a petroglyph.

2

Nova Scotia Museum @novascotiamuseum.bsky.social · 12d

Ta’n me’j Tel-keknuo’ltiek: How Unique We Still Are, now on view at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic reflects how Mi’kmaw people remain connected to the lands and waters of Mi’kma’ki.

Salina Kemp, Guest Curator stands at the entrance to the Ta’n Me’j Tel-keknuo’ltiek gallery.

1 1 3

Nova Scotia Museum @novascotiamuseum.bsky.social · 12d

Mi’kmaw people past & present are shaped by their deep & abiding relations to the place they sprouted from. The Mi’kmaq continue to sprout from this land, to be nourished by these waters, to defend their inherent rights to respect treaty relationships with others in this place.

Graphic for Ta’n me’j Tel-keknuo’ltiek: How Unique We Still Are, now on view at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic.

1 5

Reposted by Nova Scotia Museum

Tim Fedak PhD @timfedak.bsky.social · 12d

Found this 80,000 year old seed in #MastodonMud at the museum today. Will it sprout? @novascotiamuseum.bsky.social

A small tan colour seed floating in water

1 2 8

Nova Scotia Museum @novascotiamuseum.bsky.social · 12d

Today is World Maritime Day. With over 13,000 kilometers of coastline, Nova Scotia is shaped by the sea. Take time to explore the stories of our seafaring past, present, and future. #NovaScotia

The boat shed at Fishermans life Museum.

The red Heritage buildings of the fisheries Museum of the Atlantic.

A boat built by the Maritime Museum of the atlantic boat school sits in front of the CSS Acadia.

The yellow and green Dory sits by the wharf at the historic Acadian village of Nova Scotia.

1 18

Nova Scotia Museum @novascotiamuseum.bsky.social · 13d

The Museum of Natural History will be open on September 30 the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm with Free Admission.

3

Nova Scotia Museum @novascotiamuseum.bsky.social · 13d

Make plans to visit Pjila'si, now on view at the Museum of Natural History. More than just a gallery, it's an interactive space that celebrates Mi'kmaw culture. Come to engage, learn, and reflect on the knowledge, skills, and adaptability of the Mi'kmaw people throughout history and to this day.

1 3 8

Reposted by Nova Scotia Museum

Ian Loughead @ianloughead.bsky.social · 14d

Ceramic day at the @novascotiamuseum.bsky.social with Christian and @nsmarchaeology.bsky.social

2 5

Nova Scotia Museum @novascotiamuseum.bsky.social · 14d

Public commemoration of the tragic and painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools is a vital component of the reconciliation process.

Some Nova Scotia Museums sites will be closed September 30, please check individual websites for hours.
museum.novascotia.ca

museum.novascotia.ca

Nova Scotia Museum @novascotiamuseum.bsky.social · 14d

Each year, September 30 marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The day honours the children who never returned home and Survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities.

1 2 2

Nova Scotia Museum @novascotiamuseum.bsky.social · 14d

Step behind the ropes at Lawrence
House Museum.

Join our special Generations of Nights tour on October
3 from 7:30 pm to 9 pm. See rarely displayed artifacts,
then enjoy tea & snacks.

Limited spots. Pre-register by September 29 at 4 pm.
📞: 902-261-2628
📧: [email protected]

2