Nova Scotia Marks 40th Anniversary of Treaty Day with Celebrations Across Halifax
Nova Scotia celebrated the 40th anniversary of Treaty Day on Thursday with events across Halifax, including a special mass, flag raising, parade, and award ceremony. The day honors the Peace and Friendship Treaties between the Mi'kmaw people and the Crown.
Nova Scotia marked the 40th anniversary of recognizing Treaty Day on Thursday with celebrations held across Halifax, including a flag raising, a parade, and an award ceremony downtown. 
A special mass was also held to reinforce the meaning of the treaties between the Mi'kmaw people and the Crown. The Treaty Day service followed the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation.
In 1985, the Supreme Court of Canada upheld the Treaty of 1752 made with the Mi’kmaw nation. The following year, then Grand Chief Donald Marshall Sr. established October 1 as Treaty Day in 1986 to honour the role of treaties in cultivating relationships between Nova Scotia Mi'kmaq and the Crown. This year marks four decades since that recognition began.
Halifax Mayor Andy Fillmore stated that Halifax is home to an incredibly vibrant Mi'kmaq community. He noted that the celebration took place in Peace and Friendship Park, named after the treaty being celebrated.
Pam Glode-Desrochers, executive director of the Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Society, was among those emphasizing the importance of unity and recognizing Indigenous history. Treaty Day serves as a reunion for many Mi'kmaq and an opportunity to learn about Nova Scotia's 12,000-year-old history. October is designated as Mi’Kmaw History Month.
Community members gathered throughout the day to take part in the events. Brooke Moore attended the flag raising and parade to support veterans and chiefs. Leroy Fontiane, an Indigenous author from Chipewyan Prairie First Nation, attended his first salmon dinner at the Friendship Center during Treaty Day. Fontiane has authored two children's books: "Sekweha the Superkid: And His Cultural Cape" and its sequel "Sekweha the Superkid: And His Superdogs." 
The commemorations are set to continue over the weekend. The Kjipuktuk Wije’winen Gala is scheduled for Saturday at the Halifax Convention Centre.