The Assembly of Nova Scotia Chiefs directed the Mi'kmaw Kina'matnewey (MK) to have a needs assessment carried out in the First Nations communities in Nova Scotia and Newfoundland to determine the state of the Mi'kmaw language.  In February of this year, MK contracted the Centre of Excellence under the Eskasoni School Board to carry out the needs assessment.

     The findings of this study will assist First Nation communities in Nova Scotia and Newfoundland to plan their short and long term language initiatives and strategies.  The information obtained in this study will help and serve as a guide for all of Mi'kmaw people in the pursuit of restoring and revitalizing the Mi'kmaw language into this region.

     This study is the first of its kind.  It indicates where the language is totally lost, where it is weak and where it is still strong.  The questionnaire covers other areas such as: language ability, language spoken at home, number of speakers and non-speakers, opinions about what the communities and/or schools can do to retain and/or to revive the Mi'kmaw language.

     A total of fifteen surveyors from Nova Scotia and Newfoundland were hired to carry out the surveys.  The surveyors surveyed an average of 75% of the households.  Because of the time constraint, the surveyors were unable to return to homes when there was no one at home.  In smaller First Nations, the surveyors were able to go back and complete their questionnaires.  A small percentage of homes refused to do the questionnaire.  Detailed results on graphs for each band are provided in Part II.  Totals for all the bands is provided at the end of Part II.

     In addition to surveying the households, every community was visited by the coordinator of the Centre of Excellence who met with almost all the directors in Nova Scotia.  The purpose of the meeting was to ensure that all the communities were aware of the programs and services available at the centre.  Schools in First Nation communities were also visited to see the Mi'kmaw language programs in operation.  In most schools the Mi'kmaw language was taught as a second language and in two of the schools, it was taught as a first language.

     A separate survey was also sent out to all the Provincial School Boards in Nova Scotia.  None were sent to Newfoundland because there is only one First Nation community in Newfoundland.  The purpose was to find out if there were Mi'kmaw language courses available in their jurisdictions.