Ceremony honours Mi’kmaw community lost in the Halifax Explosion

Catherine Martin, a filmmaker and member of Millbrook First Nation, hosts an annual gathering on the Dartmouth shore of Halifax Harbour to pay tribute to her ancestors who once lived in the Mi’kmaw community of Kepe’kek, also known as Turtle Grove. This event, held on Dec. 6, is a solemn occasion where Martin reflects on the lives lost during the Halifax Explosion of 1917.

The Halifax Explosion occurred when a cargo ship carrying ammunition collided with another ship in the harbor, resulting in a devastating explosion that claimed nearly 2,000 lives. Kepe’kek, located just under two kilometers from the epicenter of the blast, was particularly hard hit. Records show that 29 Mi’kmaq individuals from Kepe’kek and surrounding villages lost their lives in the tragedy.

During the annual gathering, Martin reads the names of the deceased in remembrance and conducts ceremonies where water offerings, blueberries, and tobacco ties are given as offerings. She has delved into oral histories from her family and other descendants to piece together the story of her ancestors. Inspired by her great-aunt Rachel Cope, who survived the explosion, Martin has even written a play about her family’s experiences.

The Mi’kmaw community of Kepe’kek was a point of contention for settlers before the explosion, as they considered it private property. The federal government had plans to relocate the Mi’kmaq, but these plans were disrupted by the tragic events of Dec. 6, 1917. Martin feels a deep connection to her ancestors and is on a mission to locate their remains and provide them with proper burial markers and ceremonies.

Lloyd Johnson, a retired economic development officer and former councillor with Millbrook First Nation, has been instrumental in reclaiming the land where Kepe’kek once stood. After years of effort, Millbrook now owns about four hectares of the land, which has yet to be redeveloped. Johnson believes that the return of this land to the Mi’kmaq people is a significant step in honoring the memory of those who perished in the Halifax Explosion.

The annual gathering on the shoreline of Kepe’kek serves as a poignant reminder of the resilience and strength of the Mi’kmaq community in the face of tragedy and adversity. It is a time for reflection, remembrance, and healing as the descendants of Kepe’kek continue to honor their ancestors and preserve their cultural heritage.