Maligomish: A History of the Mi’kmaw St. Anne’s Mission

Mi’kmaq have used Maligomish (a small island located in the Northumberland Strait near Pictou, Nova Scotia) for many purposes over time, including fishing, farming, harvesting hardwood, and hosting important social, spiritual, and cultural events. In recent times it has been increasingly associated with the annual Catholic Feast of St. Anne. This article views the missionization of Mi’kmaq through a lens that prioritizes the Mi’kmaw history at Maligomish and recognizes it as a place that has survived attempted colonial erasure of Mi’kmaw culture and spirituality by institutions like the Catholic Church and the Canadian government. The Feast of St. Anne is part of the island’s history that needs to be understood as part of the longer history of Maligomish.