N.S. clothing brand promoting Mi’kma’ki expands to unite Canadians

Mi’kma’ki Strong co-owner Jonathan Beadle is pictured wearing one of the companies new Canada Strong hoodies. (Source: Facebook/Mi'kma'ki Strong)

A Nova Scotia clothing brand built on strength and resilience is expanding its message.

Mi’kma’ki Strong is an apparel line designed to create more awareness and share a message where peace and friendship are honoured by the 1752 treaty.

The owners of the closing line, Jonathan Beadle and his wife Amanda Lorette from Pictou Landing First Nation, N.S., started their business in September 2020.

“Since 2020, we’ve done popup locations throughout Atlantic Canada… and we’re promoting where and what Mi’kma’ki is to the general public as well as the Mi’kmaq population,” said Lorette.

Mi’kma’ki is the traditional territory of the Mi’kmaq people – which includes the Maritime provinces.

“Everything today seems to be about identity and so we wanted to make certain that Mi’kma’ki remains identified in that manner,” said Beadle.

“It’s gotten quite trendy. It’s popular among especially the youth now, which is really nice to see because I think that it’s important that youth identify what this is, and it not so much being a movement, but giving the identity where it’s needed and where it’s deserved.”

Recently, the duo expanded their clothing line and started a spinoff called Canada Strong.

“With everything that’s going on in Canada, it seemed fitting to promote a little bit of unity across Canada,” said Lorette.

Beadle says his intent is to create an awareness that is not culturally dividing but allows the country to unite.

“We don’t want Canadians to feel like we have to give up or we have to give in… we want Canadians to believe in how strong we actually are,” Beadle said.

“And I think when you wear it on your chest it means something different. So, I’m quite eager to get this out there and get the message out there that Canada remains what it is, and that’s Canada.”

With files from CTV Atlantic’s Katie Kelly.

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