Our Mission & Vision
Across Mi’kma’ki, education has always been about more than classrooms and curriculum. It is about identity, belonging, language, relationships, and the passing of knowledge from one generation to the next.
The Foundation for the Advancement of Mi’kmaw Education was created with that understanding at its core.
The Foundation’s vision is grounded in a future where all Mi’kmaw learners — across every generation and every community — have the opportunity to thrive through greater access to Mi’kmaw-centered education, culture, and language. It is a vision rooted not only in today’s learners, but in responsibility to the next seven generations.
As the Foundation states in its vision:
“All Mi’kmaw learners in Nova Scotia across all generations and communities will thrive through greater access to Mi’kmaw centred education, language, and culture so all community members can confidently create their own paths for today and the next seven generations.”
At the heart of the Foundation is a belief in Mi’kmaw self-determination. Communities know what their learners need. Elders, youth, educators, families, and community leaders all carry knowledge and lived experience that must guide the future of education. The Foundation exists to support and strengthen those voices, while helping create opportunities for lifelong learning grounded in Mi’kmaw ways of knowing.
The Foundation’s mission reflects this commitment clearly:
“The Foundation will grow its capacity to invest in and champion greater access to Mi’kmaw-led education across all generations by supporting lifelong learning, and elevating Mi’kmaw ways of knowing, while cultivating an environment where Mi’kmaw culture and language flourish within families and communities.”
The work ahead is deeply connected to language revitalization, cultural resurgence, and holistic well-being. Success is not measured only through academic achievement, but through confidence in identity, connection to community, wellness, and the ability for Mi’kmaw people to create their own paths in life.
The Foundation also recognizes the importance of balancing tradition and innovation through the principle of Etuaptmumk, or Two-Eyed Seeing — valuing the strengths of both Mi’kmaw and western knowledge systems. This approach creates space for culturally grounded learning while building pathways to opportunity in all areas of education and leadership.
A key part of the Foundation’s ethos is celebration. Too often, Indigenous success stories go unseen or unheard. The Foundation aims to amplify Mi’kmaw achievements, highlight role models, and support storytelling that uplifts communities and inspires future generations. Whether through language initiatives, mentorship, scholarships, community programs, or youth leadership, the goal is to make Mi’kmaw excellence visible and celebrated.
Equally important is ensuring that access to education and opportunity is equitable and inclusive. Every learner’s journey is different, and the Foundation is committed to supporting learners across all life stages — from early years to adulthood — including those facing barriers or navigating non-traditional educational paths.
Ultimately, the Foundation for the Advancement of Mi’kmaw Education is about legacy. It is about investing in people, language, culture, and community in ways that will endure for generations to come.
With guidance from community voices and a commitment to transparency, accountability, and cultural strength, the Foundation is working toward a future where Mi’kmaw learners are empowered to succeed while remaining deeply connected to who they are and where they come from.
