The StFX Art Gallery in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, will open Amalkewinu’k (The Dancers), a travelling exhibition exploring the evolution of Mi’kmaw regalia through photographs and artifacts, on October 1, 2026. The show runs through December 12, with an opening reception at 7 p.m. on October 1 (time to be confirmed).
The exhibition is curated by Aaron Prosper, a Mi’kmaw artist and healthcare professional from Eskasoni First Nation, and Mackenzie Pardy, a photojournalist from Wolfville. It features contemporary studio portraits of Mi’kmaw community members wearing regalia, alongside archival photographs from the Nova Scotia Museum and Parks Canada, plus three pieces of actual regalia: a beaded cap, a headdress, and a Mi’kmaw jacket.
Amalkewinu’k focuses on the distinct traditions of Mi’kmaw regalia and dance, challenging the idea that all Indigenous cultures are the same. The exhibition has appeared at the Treaty Space Gallery in Halifax and Acadia University in Wolfville, and its Antigonish stop is part of the StFX Art Gallery’s 50th anniversary celebrations. The show is sponsored by the Deveau Institute for Indigenous Governance and Social Justice.
The exhibition also highlights ko’jua, a traditional Mi’kmaw social dance where dancers stomp three times on each foot while swinging their arms. Ko’jua is often danced in a circle at gatherings and celebrations, and its origins are not well documented, making the photographs and regalia an important record of cultural practice.
For more information about the exhibition and gallery hours, visit the StFX Art Gallery website.
