Mlkiknewawti

Land-based Education Program

Mlkiknewawti (mel-gig-new-oh-di), meaning road of strength in Mi’kmaw, invites Indigenous youth to learn together on the land.

Hosted by SuperNOVA and working with Indigenous partners, Elders and Knowledge Keepers, Mlkiknewawti centres community priorities and educational goals through land-based activities that provide students with opportunities to explore STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) through a lens that integrates Western science with Traditional Knowledge. This approach, termed Etuaptmumk (Two-Eyed Seeing), encourages land-based learning and understanding as participants explore STEM concepts through a hands-on, experiential methodology while fostering real-world connections between themselves and STEM.

Mlkiknewawti is accredited by the Nova Scotia Department of Education. Students who wish to earn a course credit must complete both the 6-day summer and 3-day fall programs, and participate in a series of virtual meetings in the fall.

2026 Details

Summer 2026 Land-Based Education Program

Program Dates: July 19-24, 2026
Program Location: Camp Rankin near St. Peter’s, Unama’ki (Cape Breton)
Cost: This program is free of charge
Eligibility: Indigenous high school students entering grades 9-12 in Fall 2026

fall 2026 Land-Based Education Program – New!

This 3-day, overnight program is open to students from the summer program and any new students eager to join us for a weekend of STEM learning on the land!

Date and location will be announced soon.

CRCL 2026

CRCL: Connect, Reflect, Cultivate, Lead is a free program for past participants of the Mlkiknewawti Land-Based Education program. CRCL (Circle) is open to participants from all Mlkiknewawti programs from any year who are currently in high school. Participants meet virtually once a month from February to May to explore STEM and leadership through mentorships and skills development, including resume building, scholarship opportunities and pathways through post secondary education.

Are you interested in getting involved? Please contact outreach@superstaff.ca.

Advisory Committee

Mlkiknewawti would not be possible without the guidance, knowledge, and commitment of our Advisory Committee members. We are grateful to Nukumi (Grandmother) Marilyn Francis, Knowledge Keeper and Storyteller Terry Denny, and Luke Denny for sharing their time, experience, and valuable perspectives to help shape and strengthen the program.

Their contribution throughout the year and during programming help ensure Mlkiknewawti remains grounded in community, responsive to the priorities for Indigenous youth, and reflective of the values that guide land-based learning. Through their support, participants have the opportunity to build connections to culture, community, STEM, and themselves.

Supporters

For media inquiries, please contact:
SuperNOVA at Dalhousie University
902-210-6220
supernova@dal.ca