Mi’kmaw activist being honoured by Nova Scotia on Heritage Day

Nova Scotia Celebrates Nora Bernard on Heritage Day

Nora Bernard, a Mi’kmaw activist and member of Millbrook First Nation, is being honored today on Heritage Day in Nova Scotia. She was a survivor of the Shubenacadie Indian Residential School and played a pivotal role in leading a class-action lawsuit against the Canadian government to seek compensation for other residential school survivors.

Justine Maloney, Bernard’s niece, spoke fondly of her aunt’s impact on the Mi’kma’ki community and her tireless advocacy work. She mentioned that while growing up, her family didn’t speak much about residential schools, but as she got older, they opened up about their experiences.

Bernard, who tragically passed away in 2007, continued to advocate for her siblings and younger generations affected by residential schools. She was instrumental in securing a settlement from the federal government in 2005, totaling over $5 billion for survivors.

Maloney shared personal anecdotes about her aunt, highlighting Bernard’s sense of humor, motherly nature, and deep love for her family, culture, and language. She emphasized Bernard’s fluency in Mi’kmaw and her unwavering loyalty to her community.

To commemorate Bernard’s legacy on Heritage Day, Maloney plans to spend time with her family, as that was what her aunt cherished the most. She encouraged others to honor Bernard’s memory by connecting with their families through sharing tea, recipes, or engaging in activities that bring everyone together.

Reflecting on how her aunt would have felt about the recognition, Maloney expressed that Bernard would have been pleased but remained humble. She believed that Bernard’s work being celebrated in this way would not have changed her humble demeanor.

As Nova Scotia pays tribute to Nora Bernard on Heritage Day, her legacy of resilience, advocacy, and love for her community continues to inspire future generations.