How Indigenous and Celtic communities are reclaiming their heritage on Canada's east coast
In short: National Geographic photographer Kiliii Yüyan explores the deep traditions of Canada's eastern seaboard. This video captures the vibrant revival of Mi’kmaq culture, from the intricate movements of the hoop dance to the enduring spiritual connections to the land.
On Lennox Island, a 1,300-acre reserve off Prince Edward Island, the Mi’kmaq—the largest First Nations Tribe in Canada's Atlantic provinces—are reviving practices once suppressed during the colonial period. One such tradition is the hoop dance, a pan-Indian practice where hoops represent the circle of life. While the modern version gained mass attention in the 1930s via Pueblo Indian Tony White Cloud, it remains a powerful tool for cultural reclamation.
The footage also follows Yüyan’s personal journey of connection, from observing Mi’kmaw artist Richard Pellissier-Lush to witnessing nature guides in Newfoundland and Labrador’s Gros Morne National Park. Through National Geographic’s lens, we see how these communities use performance and interaction to reclaim pride and dignity.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Inside Indigenous & Celtic Life on Canada’s Wild East Coast | National Geographic
- Also: Adventures with Indigenous & Celtic Canadians
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