Pjila’si (Welcome)
Front cover: Front porch of a house with halloween pumpkin decoration by Jan Walter Luigi via Pexels used under a Free Pexels license.
Welcome to the NSCC Community. As an equity-centered College, we’re committed to creating and sustaining an environment where everyone is safe, valued and included. Our commitment to equity is clearly stated within the newest NSCC Strategic Plan which states, “We believe in learning that is inclusive of the diverse voices and experiences reflected in our learning communities”.[1] Inclusion is everyone’s responsibility.
We are here to support you in your connection, and inclusion, to the community you will be living, learning, and playing in, which includes supporting you in your journey to housing, which is why we have created this guide.
Land Acknowledgement
NSCC acknowledges that we are in Mi’kma’ki the unceded and traditional territory of the Mi’kmaq Nation. Our relationship is based on a series of Peace and Friendship treaties between the Mi’kmaq Nation and the Crown, dating back to 1725. In Nova Scotia, we recognize that we are all treaty people.
In Nova Scotia we live, learn, and play on these lands. NSCC Housing & Student Life, and all our staff commit to promoting the truth of Indigenous Peoples and work towards reconciliation.
Pjila’si is a Mi’kmaq word loosely translated meaning Welcome: Come in and sit down[2] Mi’kmaq is a verb-based language that does not translate directly into English.
Did You Know
If you are crossing into Cape Breton (Strait Area Campus Housing) on your travels a sign with Pjila’si Unama’kik was recently placed on the Canso Causeway. The name Canso came from the Mi’kmaq word kamsook which means opposite the lofty cliff. Unama’kik is the Mi’kmaq word used to refer to Cape Breton Island, and loosely translates to Land of Fog.[3]
We encourage all members of our community to learn more about the land we live, learn, work, and play on by exploring the following resources:
- Truth & Reconciliation – Indigenous Resources – A NSCC Subject Guide.
- Treaties – Indigenous Resources – A NSCC Subject Guide.
- Peace and Friendship Treaties
- Our home on native land website
- MIKM Classes created by Cape Breton University, hosted on Vimeo.
Historical Community Recognition
NSCC acknowledges the histories, contributions, and legacies of the African Nova Scotian people and communities. Nova Scotia has been home to people of African descent for over 400 years. From the arrival of Mathieu da Costa in 1605, through 4 major waves of migration, to the creation of more than 50 historic African Nova Scotian communities, African Nova Scotians are part of the shared Nova Scotian story.
Did You Know
Nova Scotia has a rich and deep history with 48 Black Settlements throughout the Province (source from map available through Black Loyalist Heritage Centre. We encourage all members of our community to learn more about the African and Black Canadian History in Nova Scotia.
- Scarborough Charter – Sourced From NSCC Subject Guide
- We Are One – Film available through NSCC Subject Guides
- The Halifax Declaration – Text and video available through NSCC Subject Guides
- Fighting Racism and Discrimination – Available through NSCC Library with W# and password, available to current students, and incoming students after W# activation in August
- African/Black Nova Scotian Resources – An NSCC Subject Guide
- NSCC, (n.d.). Our time is now: Nova Scotia Community College strategic plan. nscc-strategic-plan.pdf ↵
- Pjila'si definition from the Mi'gmaq - Mi’kmaq online talking dictionary project shared under a CC BY-NC license. https://www.mikmaqonline.org/servlet/dictionaryFrameSet.html?arg0=Pjila%27si&method=searchFromMikmaq ↵
- Nova Scotia Government. (2021, July 9)New Sign at Canso Causeway Welcomes Motorists to Unama’kik. Press Release. New Sign at Canso Causeway Welcomes Motorists to Unama’kik | Government of Nova Scotia News Releases ↵
