Mi’kmaq Studies

Program Overview
Admission Requirements
Application Deadlines

Please select your province for specific admission requirements.

General Requirements for High School Graduates

  • See CBU’s English Language Requirements here.
  • English 12 (academic or advanced)
  • 4 additional grade 12 academic or advanced level courses

Please select your country to view admission requirements.

Transfer Student Requirements

  • In order to transfer to CBU you must be in good academic standing at your current/previous institution.
  • You must meet the general admissions requirements (or the post-secondary equivalent) for the program, found under the Canadian or International tabs of this tool.
  • To see if your institution is an articulation partner, please view our articulation agreements page.
  • Please email us if you have specific questions about admission requirements and transferring to CBU:

Immerse Yourself In Mi’kmaq Tradition

The rich culture and long history of the Mi’kmaq thrives today on Cape Breton Island and at CBU. From the ancient Mi’kmaw language to modern Mi’kmaw current events, you’ll become immersed in a program that focuses on teaching the true ways of Canada’s First Nations people.

The various Mi’kmaq Studies courses teach students how to read and write in Mi’kmaq, how the Canadian Indian Act works, details of First Nation governance and much more. This comprehensive area of study examines multiple aspects of the Mi’kmaq, discussed within a framework of the current First Nations reality – not only within Canada, but on a broader scale, globally.

At CBU, the Mi’kmaq Studies courses focus on two major themes of study: Mi’kmaw language and culture; and Mi’kmaw politics, history and governance. These courses are designed to provide a solid foundation for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous students alike.

Sample Courses and Resources

Why study at CBU?

Cape Breton University (CBU) is home to Unama’ki College which focuses on the academic study, research and teaching of Mi’kmaw First Nation’s history, culture, language, governance, spirituality and science. Courses in Mi’kmaq Studies have been offered at CBU for more than 30 years.

Unama’ki College is home to the L’nu Resource Centre (LRC) which contains an impressive collection of secondary documents on all aspects of the Mi’kmaq, as well as related academic subjects. Unama’ki College also has two Mi’kmaw Kisiku on Campus whose role is to assist all students.

More than 200 Indigenous students attend CBU on a yearly basis. Most, but not all, are Mi’kmaq. Courses are open to all students, both Indigenous and non-indigenous.

What skills will I gain from this program?

  • Written and spoken language skills
  • Knowledge of Mi’kmaw history and culture
  • Learn current Mi’kmaw events
  • Indigenous art and music knowledge

Possible Career Paths

  • Law
  • Education
  • Social work
  • Government
  • Print, digital and broadcast media

Experiential Learning Opportunities

  • Work in the Kji-keptin Alexander Denny L’nui’sultimkeweyo’kuom
  • Mi’kmaw Language Lab
  • Mi’kmaw research projects

Faculty

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