Natasha's Story: Honouring Indigenous History Month

Meet Natasha—an L’nu mother and one of The North Grove’s dedicated Home Visitors. Whether she’s visiting a family, working on a beading project, or preparing a favourite recipe, Natasha brings warmth and intention to everything she does.  

As a member of the urban Indigenous community, Natasha saw an opportunity to introduce Mi’kmaw culture to the families she supports, and to weave it into The North Grove’s programming. 

In honour of Indigenous History Month, Natasha will be making luski–a traditional Mi’kmaw baked bread, with families and community members. 

Embracing and sharing her Indigeneity hasn’t always come easily. But at The North Grove, Natasha’s found a place where she feels truly welcomed.    

Natasha presenting Lieutenant Governor Mike Savage with a gift of luski and Primrose Preserves from The North Grove. 

“There’s just a feeling here when you walk through the door – it's warm and welcoming.” 

Natasha spent her early years living on reserve surrounded by a tight-knit community and the beauty of the natural world. Life on reserve came with its challenges, but it was filled with cultural richness. Unfortunately, it also carried social stigma—something her mother felt deeply. When the family moved off-reserve, many of their cultural practices and traditions were left behind. 

Natasha’s connection to culture and land became more distant, but never fully disappeared. She cherished occasional visits o her nmi’ (grandmother’s). Together they harvested sweetgrass, baked, attended powwows, bingo, and practiced basketry.  

It was a feeling of responsibility to her ancestors, and to future generations, that helped her overcome the stigma and get back to her roots. “It was like riding a bike” she says. “It all came back so naturally.” 

Sharing culture through community 

“How are people supposed to know about our culture if we don’t share it?” 

As an Enhanced Home Visitor, Natasha offers personal, at-home support to families with children under three. She is often their first point of contact, introducing them to the wide range of supports and opportunities that they can find at the community hub. It is important to her that the families she visits know this is a space for them. 

Natasha has led special occasional programs such as Powwow 101 – an introduction to these special celebrations; crafting programs like Box Braid Keychains and Ribbon Bags; and a Mi’kmaw Food Demo. She shared a beautiful drumming and singing performance at our Giving Tuesday Coffeehouse, and most recently, offered a special blessing and smudge at our Farm Season Opener, to give thanks to the earth set good intentions for a successful growing season.  

“I feel like my ideas are embraced here, and they aren’t just conversations – they actually come to life.” 

Natasha has also helped integrate Mi’kmaw art, literature, and language throughout the hub. It's important to her that Indigenous community members and the families she works with see themselves reflected in the space. She’s grateful to see other staff and community members also stepping up to support this vision.  

Connecting through food 

Food is especially significant to Mi’kmaw culture. It is a symbol of comfort, abundance, and love. Every mawio’mi (gathering) has food. Everyone comes together to cook and to share - each person contributing what they can.

“Sharing the gift of food shows you care enough about someone to ensure they survive.” she says. 

Natasha led a Food Demo program last October where she shared fry bread tacos made with moose meat, and a traditional molasses cake.  

In honour of Indigenous History Month, Natasha will be making luski–a traditional Mi’kmaw baked bread, with families and community members. 

Luskinikn, or "luski," is a traditional Mi’kmaw baked bread—an ancestor to modern tea biscuits. Though often called “bannock” (a term used across Turtle Island), luski has its own unique roots and preparation. As a tribute to her grandmother, Natasha plans to send each participant home with a “bannock-in-a-jar” kit and a recipe. 

“Whenever I visited my grandmother, we would make something together. When it was time to go home, she would send me with the recipe and all the ingredients to make it again myself,” says Natasha. 

At The North Grove, Natasha has found more than a job—she’s found community, belonging, and purpose. Her journey is a powerful reminder of the strength found in reconnecting with culture, and the rewards that come from sharing it with others. 

Community and sharing are the Indigenous way of life – values that Natasha is grateful to see reflected every day in The North Grove community. 

We invite you to learn more about Mi’kmaw and other Indigenous cultures this month, and all year long. Look for books from Indigenous authors, support Indigenous artisans, attend a Powwow, and simply ask questions.  

The Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre  is an excellent resource for Mi’kmaw events and resources in the HRM. 

Culture is kept alive through the sharing of stories, art, and traditions within communities.