The First Nations People of Nova Scotia are known as the Mi'kmaq. At the time of first contact with European explorers in the 16th and 17th centuries the Mi'kmaq lived in the region now known as the Maritime provinces and the Gaspé peninsula. Later they also settled in New England and Newfoundland. The Mi'kmaq called themselves L'nu'k, meaning "the people." The term Mi'kmaq comes from their word nikmak, meaning "my kin-friends."

Homes

Our word "wigwam" comes from the Mi'kmaq "wikuom", a dwelling. Wigwams were usually put up by the women and could be built in a day. The basic structure of the wigwam was five spruce poles, lashed together at the top with split spruce root and spread out at the bottom. A hoop of moosewood was tied under the poles just down from the top to brace them. Shorter poles tied to the hoop all around provided supports for the birchbark cover. Birchbark sheets were laid over the poles like shingles, starting from the bottom and overlapping as they worked up the wigwam. Extra poles laid over the outside helped hold the birchbark down. The top was left open for fireplace smoke to escape. A separate bark collar covered the top in bad weather. The floor was lined with fir twigs, woven mats and animal furs and a large hide acted as a door cover. Wigwams were painted with figures of animals and birds. The largest conical wigwams housed 12-15 people; for bigger families a longer style with two fireplaces was built.

The word tipi or teepee was never used by the Mi'kmaq as it comes from a different native language and usually refers to a tent covered with skins, not bark. Birchbark made a good cover for a wigwam since it was waterproof and portable. When a family moved they took the birchbark sheets with them.

Clothing

Clothing was made from the skins of mammals, birds and fish. The skins were tanned using animal brains, bird livers and oil, and by smoking. A long process of stretching and working the skins produced beautiful fur and leather. Bone awls were used to make holes in the leather for sewing. Animal sinew, separated into fine strands, served as thread.

In the 17th century, and probably earlier, men's garments included a loose robe of fur or skin worn blanket-like over the shoulders, open in front and falling to the knees. Leggings of moose, caribou or seal hide were tied at the hip to a leather girdle. The leather girdle also supported a loin cloth of very soft skin. Moccasins of moose or seal skin, a tobacco pouch, and various accessories completed the clothing.

Women wore similar robes, wrapped around the body under the arms like a bath towel. These robes were belted at the waist and fell to below the knees. Thongs over the shoulders acted as suspenders. Both sexes often wore a pair of sleeves of fur or leather, resembling two halves of a bolero jacket cut down the middle and tied together at center back and front. Women also wore leggings and moccasins and carried tobacco pouches. Children wore a smaller version of the adult costume. Babies were wrapped in the softest skins of fox, swan or goose.

Mi'kmaq clothing was decorated with geometric patterns and designs of birds, beasts and humans. Pigments used for painting were red and yellow ochre from the earth, charcoal and ground white shell. These were mixed with fish roe or bird egg yolks. Animal fat was mixed with pigments to paint the body. Animal teeth, claws, bone and quills were sewn onto clothing, and feathers were sometimes used as ornaments. Men might wear a bird wing on either side of the head. Dyes for decorating quills came from roots, bark, leaves and flowers.

When Europeans came to North America the Mi'kmaq traded with them, receiving cloth, ribbons and beads in exchange for furs and meat. They found new ways to use quills and moose hair on cloth, and worked ribbon and beads into traditional designs.

By the 19th century the woman's costume included a beaded peaked cap and a woolen skirt. The man's coat reflected European military uniforms.