Mawita’mk is a registered charitable organization that celebrates the gifts of indigenous people with disabilities.
The late Grand Chief Ben Sylliboy and his sisters Magit Poulette and Theresa Cremo were residential school survivors. The three siblings had a deep love and concern for Mi’kmaq people with disabilities and didn’t want to see them removed from their community, language and culture to access the supports they deserved.
Ben and his wife Marie, Magit and Theresa all volunteered and became friends of L’Arche Cape Breton, a community for people with disabilities that began near We’koqma’q in 1983. In 1999 Grand Chief Ben invited Tom Gunn, founder of L’Arche Cape Breton, and friends to create a new Mi’kmaq organization for people with disabilities. Elder Murdeena Marhsall suggested they call it Mawita’mk (Being Together).
In April 2007, Ni’kinen (Our House) was opened in We’koqma’q L’Nue’kati. Ni’kinen was the first group home in Canada located within an indigenous community.
The Grand Chief, Magit and Tom lobbied hard for services within the community. With the support of the Assembly of Nova Scotia Chiefs, we were able to open Ni’kinen as well as four assisted living apartments in We’koqma’q L’Nue’kati in 2007.
We are funded by Indigenous Services Canada through the Confederation of Mainland Mi’kmaq. We are licensed and inspected by the Nova Scotia Department of Community Services.
"We expect the Department of Indian Affairs (INAC) to treat people with intellectual disabilities and their families fairly. INAC, under their institutional care program should stop removing people from their culture and begin to support community-based services and supports within Mi’kmaq communities.” – Assembly of Nova Scotia Chiefs 2005
In 2023, through fundraising and volunteer efforts, we opened a new Centre called Ben’s Place. Together, we create art and craft projects that are sold in our beautiful gift shop. Ben’s Place is a craft studio but also a community gathering place, where we host elders and friends for cultural events and Bingo.
"We are trying to bring back whatever the residential schools took away from our people."
– Rosie Sylliboy
Mawita'mk News & Events
Mawita’mk founders Ben, Theresa & Magit were separated from their families and community by Residential Schools. They were not allowed to speak their own language. They weren’t allowed to see each other. They weren’t allowed to do anything that was part of their culture. They were punished if these, or other rules were broken. They suffered abuse at the hands of residential school staff: physical, sexual, emotional and psychological. Based on this experience, it is important that Mawita’mk (Being Together) exists as a place where people can receive services and supports within their own cultural community.
Mawita’mk will be hosting a Descendants gathering on September 30th & October 1st, 2024
Gathering Theme: Our Healing Journeys
Family Reconciliation-supporting descendants who have been affected by their parents, family and community’s experience at Residential Schools.
When:
September 30th & October 1st
To Register
Call 902-756-2992
or
email: rosie@mawitamk.org
OUR STORIES ~ NTA’TUKWAQNMINAL
Help us create more opportunities for Mi'kmaq people living with disabilities.