We couldn't do what we do without our community partners.
Nestled along the picturesque shores of the Bras d’Or Lake in Eastern Cape Breton Island, Eskasoni First Nation stands proudly as the largest Mi’kmaq community in the world. Our community is deeply rooted in Mi’kmaq culture, home to the largest Mi’kmaq-speaking population, where traditional knowledge and values are cherished and passed down through generations.Eskasoni has built a strong foundation for growth and prosperity, with a community-operated school system from kindergarten to grade 12, a supermarket, community rink, and cultural centre.
A thriving private sector further supports the community’s development.With a vibrant population of 4,500+ members, Eskasoni prioritizes the health and well-being of its youth through events and initiatives that foster active, healthy lifestyles. Guided by a deep respect for the environment and a shared sense of responsibility, the community continues to thrive as a culturally rich and dynamic place.
Eskasoni welcomes you — P’JILA’SI!
https://eskasoni.ca/
Eskasoni School Board creates a positive working environment for staff and stakeholders to work together. The board employs 248 staff members, of which there are 203 L’nu employees (82%) including 64 L’nu teachers (63%). The Board employs four principals, 102 teachers, eight counsellors and 51 teacher assistants and student aides.
All L’nu staff are local community members and many are fluent in the language. Contributing to our success has been the recent hiring of student services employees – Director of Student Services, Curriculum Coordinator, Land Based Coordinator, Restorative Practices facilitators, Student Retention Liaison, language speakers, before and after school program lead and monitors – along with recent board hires of an HR assistant, Post Secondary Finance Officer and Communications Officer.
The board has hosted many training opportunities for community members, leading to employment within and beyond our organization.
https://eskasonischools.ca/
The Union of Nova Scotia Mi'kmaq (UNSM) is a tribal organization that has been established for 50 years. It held its first meeting on July 11, 1969, and ratified its constitution on September 13, 1969, during its first annual general assembly. It was formally incorporated under the Nova Scotia’s Societies’ Act on July 3, 1970.
UNSM came into existence to provide a unified political voice for the Mi’kmaq people of the province in the face of a proposed federal government policy to assimilate Canada’s First Nations people into mainstream society.
Faced with the prospect of extinction, a group of Mi’kmaq leaders formed what was then called the Union of Nova Scotia Indians (renamed the Union of Nova Scotia Mi'kmaq in 2019) to provide political leadership for the Mi’kmaq nation. UNSM operates under its original terms of the Memorandum of Association that was registered in 1970, and its present By-Law that was adopted in July 1992, and later amended during its 28th annual assembly held in Waycobah in July 1997.
https://www.unsm.org/
NADACA (Native Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselling Association) programming is designed to deal with all aspects of substance abuse, i.e. alcohol abuse, illicit drug abuse, prescription drug abuse and solvent abuse. Our mandate is to provide accredited certified indigenous addictions prevention, education, outreach, community and in-patient wellness programming to the First Nation population. Details and descriptions of our wellness programs, including inpatient treatment centers can be found on our website at nadaca.ca
In-Patient Treatment Centers: Mi'kmaw Lodge Treatment Centre (Eskasoni) and Eagles Nest Recovery House (Indian Brook)
WE WALK WITH YOU TOWARDS A NEW LIFE. Before we learn how to walk, we must first learn how to fall.Our goal is to enhance physical, spiritual, emotional and social issues caused by alcohol and drug misuse. We provide our First Nations Communities with current best practices and community based culturally relevant programs which are delivered by certified addictions counsellors.
http://www.nadaca.ca/
The Eskasoni Fish and Wildlife Commission is dedicated to protecting, managing, and enhancing the natural resources within Eskasoni and surrounding Mi’kmaq traditional territories. Their work focuses on ensuring the sustainability of fish, wildlife, and the environment for future generations while respecting Mi’kmaq rights, culture, and traditional knowledge.
The Commission oversees conservation efforts, habitat protection, species monitoring, and enforcement of fisheries and hunting regulations. They also support research projects, community education, and partnerships with governments, organizations, and academic institutions. Through these efforts, they promote environmental stewardship, safeguard food sovereignty, and maintain the Mi’kmaq way of life connected to the land and waters.
The Eskasoni Fish and Wildlife Commission plays a vital role in balancing modern conservation practices with Mi’kmaq traditions, ensuring that the community can continue to exercise their inherent rights while caring for the natural environment.
https://efwc.ca/