Make family memories connecting with Mi’kmaw culture in the Millbrook & Truro area

Since time immemorial the Mi’kmaw people have cared for and stewarded the land we now call Nova Scotia. Mi’kma’ki, the traditional territory of the Mi’kmaq, includes all of Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, parts of New Brunswick, the Gaspe Peninsula of Quebec, and parts of Maine (USA). The Mi’kmaq of Nova Scotia are unique in their traditions, stories, songs and dances, art and craft, histories, spirituality, and language influenced by the lands and waters they are deeply connected to. Did you know? Mi’kmaw was officially proclaimed Nova Scotia’s first language in 2022!

Millbrook First Nation and nearby Debert offer incredible, year-round opportunities to connect with Mi’kmaw culture in Nova Scotia. Known as Wasoqsikek in Mi’kmaw (meaning glistening signal in the distance), Mi’kmawey Debert is a collection of archaeological sites first discovered more than 60-years ago, one of the oldest directly dated archaeological sites in Canada. Be sure to visit the Mi’kmawey Debert Interpretive Trail to learn more about these sites, as well as the Millbrook Cultural & Heritage Centre and Alan Syliboy Art Studio to immerse yourself in Mi’kmaw art, culture, and history.

Take flight over the iconic Bay of Fundy for ultimate coastal views with Debert Flight Centre, shop treasures and delicious local flavours at Masstown Market, a visitor and local “must stop” for more than 50 years! After a fun filled day of exploring and learning, get cozy at Irwin Lake Chalets and unwind in the private hot tub at your chalet.

Alan Syliboy Art Studio

Alan Syliboy is a celebrated Mi’kmaw artist, author, and musician. Inspired by Mi’kmaw petroglyphs, quill work, and weaving traditions, Alan creates vibrant, mixed-media designs that explore themes such as family, spirituality, struggle, and strength. A Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal recipient for Artistic Achievement in 2002, his studio opened in 2023 and features a collection of original pieces, prints, vinyl and music, clothing, and gifts available in the gallery and shop!

Mi’kmawey Debert Interpretive Trail

Imagine an ice-age landscape with mastodons, caribou, and giant beavers wandering over the tundra that covered Mi’kma’ki more than 11,000 years ago. On this 4.4 km looped trail, interpretive panels guide you along sharing the story of Mi’kmaw ancestral sites in Wasoqsikek (Debert). The Mi’kmawey Debert Interpretive Trail is just 15-minutes from Millbrook and is open year-round for hiking and snowshoeing, taking approximately 1 to 1.5 hours to complete. The trail’s rugged terrain is not suitable for wheeled vehicles.

Take a Trilling Flight with Amazing Bay of Fundy Views

On this exclusive and unforgettable private plane tour, fly over sections of the renowned Cliffs of Fundy UNESCO Global Geopark and Five Islands Provincial Park. Experience awe-inspiring beauty while soaring over Nova Scotia’s upper Bay of Fundy coastline with Debert Flight Centre. After all of the excitement, stop into Masstown Market to shop a wide variety of classic Nova Scotian treats, homemade eats, and local sourced ingredients and gifts.

Irwin Lake Chalets

Make it a weekend trip with an overnight stay at Irwin Lake Chalets. Just minutes from Millbrook First Nation and Truro, you’ll find six cozy log chalets overlooking Irwin Lake. These chalets offer the perfect setting for a quiet weekend escape or fun-filled family vacation with full kitchens and bathrooms, woodstoves, and private hot tubs.