Reporting in Mi'kma'ki (2026)
Reporting in Mi’kma’ki is a Mi’kmaw-led experiential journalism course
Mi’kmaw Earth Keeper leads with language
Blair “Joef” Bernard uses Mi’kmaw fluency to share understanding of environment and culture
By Zach Taylor and Adrian Filice
Blair “Joef” Bernard sits tall on a stump in a bright orange hat and baby blue surgical gloves. His outdoor skinning workshop is part of the L’nui’sultinej conference underway in Eskissoqnik, or Eskasoni. Close to 700 Mi’kmaw and other Indigenous people are gathered to discuss language revitalization.
Bernard teaches by doing.
Two women step forward to help him skin a tiake’wj (mink). The crowd laughs as it slips from their hands. Bernard smiles and places the mink on a stump to finish the process.
Up next, a kiwnik (otter).
Bernard takes a shin bone that once belonged to a lentuk (deer) and makes separating the tissue from the skin look easy. He’s been doing this his whole life. He is 33 now, or maybe 34. When we ask his age, Bernard says he doesn’t keep track of birthdays.
Blair “Joef” Bernard watches workshop participants skin a mink at the L’nui’sultinej conference in Eskasoni, May 2026. (Photo credit: Zach Taylor)
In an apron fashioned out of a garbage bag, Bernard casually skins the kiwnik. He refers to his actions in Mi’kmaw, his first language, followed by English. Whatever he says often results in laughter.
Bernard says l’nui’sit (he speaks Mi’kmaw) to share cultural knowledge.
“Everything we have to know about the land is in the language.”
In Nova Scotia less than 25 per cent of Mi’kmaq are fluent in Mi’kmaw and less than 12 per cent speak it as their first language.
Bernard’s son, Joef Ji’j (Little Joef), runs around wearing one of the previously skinned pelts over his bright yellow Donkey Kong T-shirt.
Joef Ji’j is fluent in Mi’kmaw. We overhear folks in the crowd say he’s lucky to have Bernard as a father.
Joef Ji’j Bernard runs around a freshly skinned otter carcass outside the L’nui’sultinej conference in Eskissoqnik, May 2026. (Photo credit: Zach Taylor)
Bernard interacts and perceives the world around him through a Mi’kmaw perspective, one that he says is not easy to convey in English.
“For us, in the language, a lot of the meanings of our words are lost in the translation of them. Something might mean something super meaningful to us, when you say it in English, it's all dumbed down,” he says.
Bernard is an Earth Keeper with Unama’ki Institute of Natural Resources (UINR).
“We just take care of everything,” he says.
The role entails data collection and field work to research and monitor ecosystems using a Mi’kmaw lens.
“He sees the world in a very special way,” says fellow Earth Keeper Morgan Denny. “He pretty much lives outside. He only goes inside to sleep.”
Bernard says spending time outdoors doesn't feel like work. On the clock or not, he’s always interacting with his environment.
“Everything you look at, you learn something from it.” says Bernard, “The animals can't talk but if you pay enough attention to them, they'll tell you everything you need to know about life.”
Denny says Bernard is gentle with his teachings.
“Teachers like that are rare, especially when it comes to traditional knowledge,” he adds. “Some people don't have the patience for it, but he has all the patience in the world.”
Bernard stands near the entrance to Kluscap’s Cave in Unama’ki, May 2026. (Photo credit: Zach Taylor)
Bernard has mentored many young people in his community including Sidney Francis. He recalls Bernard introducing him to rabbit snaring, hunting, and eeling in his childhood.
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Francis, who also worked with Bernard at the UINR, says Bernard’s respect for the natural world is deeply rooted.
“He lives on the land, you know, he respects the land. He just lives life like a real L’nu.”
Sights And Sounds of Hike to Kluscap’s Cave. (Video credit: Paul Robinson)
On a hike to Kluskap’s Cave, a spiritual site in Mi’kmaw culture, Bernard helps clear the trail and assists people crossing a river. He shares the medicinal properties of wisawtaqji'jkl (golden thread), a root that helps with gas by making you burp.
He lies flat on his stomach to drink from the spring and darts from the path to inspect a mushroom. He stops to listen for an apli’kmuj (rabbit) in the brush, a wave crashing, and a distant helicopter.
E’wk ta’n koqoey nemitoq aqq nutk l’nuiktuk, which means he shares the Mi’kmaw words for what he sees and hears.