Bio

Nicole works for Mi’kmaq Child and Families Services as a Cultural Coordinator in her home community of Fort Folly First Nations. She is a proud Community Member of Fort Folly First Nations, sharing her knowledge as an educational culture mentor in a variety of roles while also raising two proud Mi’kmaq children who are sure to continue her mission of acceptance, connection, diversity celebration, and active participation towards Truth and Reconciliation. She has formed a strong partnership with the Anglophone East School District First Nations coalition and is committed to ongoing involvement in several school-wide and classroom-specific projects, while also leading cultural nights to explore and connect with traditional practices and teachings. Nicole is a passionate advocate for First Nations cultural presence and intentional representation in the school system and larger community, facilitating workshops such as the Blanket Exercise, quill work activities, basket making lessons, beading sessions, drum making, medicine walks, dream catcher explorations, talking piece and sharing circle discussions, smudge ceremonies, and regalia creation. In partnering with supportive organizations (ex: Mount Allison University’s Owens Art Gallery, EOS Eco-Energy, Iris Community Counselling, etc.), her modeled message of First Nations celebration and belonging continues to be heard through the echoes of her work. With a focus on raising environmental awareness and living with respect for nature, Nicole’s work is driven by her message of healing the earth through fostering education about the connection between people and the planet. As the founder of Mother Muin Artistry, Nicole has also launched her own business as another medium to celebrate her Mi’kmaq culture and to share its beauty and art. With her foundational studies at both the University of Lethbridge and the Nursing Community College of Lethbridge, she is now continuing her educational pursuits through language study programs and by connecting to the larger First Nations community.

Residency Project

Traditional teachings of the Drum – how to prepare the hide, importance of the drum to Mi’kmaq culture, drum teachings, how to make a drum, use the drum to learn the Mi’kmaq Honor Song, do traditional hieroglyphic art on the drum, hieroglyphic teachings, sing the song, play the drums, etc.

Teaching Experience

I have been in several schools in Anglophone East teaching about my culture, my arts and my crafts. This teaching in schools has ranged from grade K to 8 with groups from 3 children to 120 children.