glooscap heritage centre & mi'kmaq museum

The exhibits at the museum are similar to exhibits at other Native or Aboriginal museums. The giant 40 foot statue of Glooscap outside the museum is a good photo op. Lots of free parking for many cars and tour buses. The center was airy, clean and well staffed.

Our tour group had just a 1 hour stop at this First Nations' museum. We were greeted at the door, given some coffee/tea, and then a presentation by 3 young Mikmaqs, dressed in native colors, about themselves as well as the Mikmaq's past customs, legends, and way of life. They ended the presentation with a drum song and a Q&A session. We were so interested in what they had to say, the tour guide had to remind us that we had only 15 minutes left to look at the displays as our hour visit was soon coming to an end. It was very brave I thought for these Mikmaq's to face strangers and talk about themselves. This presentation may be just for tour groups - don't know if other visitors are given a presentation as well.The center is new, right beside the highway close to Truro with a very tall red Glooscap figure visible from the road. It is on one level with no stairs, clean washrooms, no food for purchase, and space for parking. Looking at the admission rates, I felt they were a little high for what there was to see and the short amount of time one would probably spend there. The website for this attraction is informative and I realized later that we did not see the video presentation. The display cases would match any in a provincial museum - nicely done!The 15 minutes we had to look at the displays in the 2 rooms was not quite long enough to read all of the information boards. I would have liked a 1/2 hour. The displays were well done showing the way of life, responsibilities of the males and females, and food sources before European contact. There was some info on regaining the Mikmaq language and the native/Catholic priest connection. Some beautiful basketry was in the display case as well. A birchbark canoe was centered in the hallway and, of course, a photostop with Glooscap in the courtyard appealed to many in my group. The gift shop interested the ladies and I bought some expensive foot cream. Inexpensive books on Mikmaq legends and history were also available. I got a chuckle out of seeing a Mikmaq Horoscope with animals used for each month. Animal jewelry for each of the 12 months were for sale. Nice to see this mixture of an entrepreneurial enterprise with the promotion of one's heritage.

Spent an hour at this relatively small but interesting and well run museum right next to the 102 highway. Very good introductory audio-visual bi-lingual presentation in English and Mi'qmak (hearing the native language brings it alive much more I feel) with a decent selection of follow up exhibits. Staff were also very helpful so overall you'd be a silly to drive straight past this place if you weren't in a hurry.

Made a short stop on a tour. Very interesting and informative narrative from the hosts. Very interesting history of the tribe and it's effect on early Nova Scotia continuing to the present day.. Well done exhibits. And don't forget to visit the huge statue out back and the gift shop. Worth a stop - right alongside of the freeway.

A must do when visiting. Brilliant place full of information and friendly faces we had an amazing morning and the kids had great interactive fun!

We ended up at this museum quite by accident - I asked a friend that we met up with for coffee on our way from the Ferry to Halifax if there were any museums we could visit together instead of sitting in a coffee shop. He looked at me strangely and said "There is one right next door." So we spent several lovely hours touring the museum together. This is not out of your way if you take the Ferry from PEI and are intending to end up in Halifax - it's right on the highway outside of Truro. There is a $6 admission fee (adult). Lots to look at and touch and read about. Don't miss the film. You will most likely be hosted by Gordon Pictou, a young man who is super knowledgeable about his heritage and is just a great resource. He could talk all day about how the museum came about and the people that have contributed to the building of centre. Have a look in the gift shop - it has lots to choose from and is very different than any other tourist shop in NS.

We expected the museum to be more secluded, but upon entering and learning more on the mik mi'kmaq people anf taking to a very knowledgeable young man, that wr learned the reason they are situated there. Loved visiting the museum.

We did not have a chance to have comments from staff, because they were busy with a groupGood exhibits, but because of fear of damaging artifacts, lighting was low behind glassed exhibits. Good interpretive panelsNot a large museum, but a beautifully designed building.Gift shop offers locally made crafts but more of outside crafts and manufactured items.Building serves also as tourist bureau for areaEnjoyed what I learned and gorgeous traditional crafts in exhibits

I had a great educational experience from a very informative and enjoyable staff team. The video portion was both educational and entertaining and the selection of artifacts was excellent. Our group from UPEI was also fortunate enough to have a smudging ceremony at the centre.

Our group from the University of Prince Edward Island were greeted by Gordon Pictou, Curator at the Glooscap Centre and treated to one of the most inspiring as well as enlightening tours and interpretive experiences I have participated in for many years. Gordon is an incredibly well-informed walking encyclopedia of knowledge related to the Mi'kmaq culture, traditions and way of life. He is also eloquent and personable engaging listeners with his warmth and enthusiasm. A relatively young man, Gordon is a role model and leader in his community. We were all so grateful as well as moved by his commitment and honesty that tells the story of colonization as well as the remarkable recovery of strength, determination and cultural history. Exquisite artwork, beading and basketry are beautifully displayed. At the end of the tour, our group was treated to the powerful singing of the Mikmaw Honour Song by Garrett, who works at the Centre. We left with filled with respect and admiration for Gordon and his work at the Glooscap Centre. We recommend that individuals and groups visiting the Glooscap Centre book time with Gordon Pictou. You will find the experience to be remarkable. Thank you Gordon and Garrett. Fiona Walton UPEI.

Pictures, artifacts and a sales gallery provide images into the past. One had the sense that the past was more important to the native staff than the future. A pleasant stop.

Our Caravan tour stopped long enough to get a wonderful presentation about this First Nation culture so we could understand how long these people have been here. We learned about their history and customs and oral traditions...fascinating!

Unusual heritage site with a huge statue of Mi'kmaq right on the side of the highway - so you can' miss it. Has a great visitors centre where you can go to the Mi'kmaq museum (pay), the gift store or the tourist information. Friendly and helpful staff.

We brought our kids here a few times and are never disappointed. Make sure you stop by the gift shop- they have some excellent finds at reasonable prices

This relatively new cultural center is run BY the Mi'kmaw to provide information about their history and culture. Outside, a huge statue on Glooscap announces that you have arrived at the cultural center; you can see it from the highway. Part of the building houses a gift shop with authentic items made by the people. The other part is a museum. There is a 20-min. video in Mi'kmaw (with English translations) and English (with Mi'kmaw translations) on two screens at the side of the main one. The information is very interesting, and the story of the Mi'kmaw parallels in so many ways the story of Native Americans. There are interesting artifacts in the display cases and guides who are there to answer questions, though they seem to have other duties also and so may be a bit distracted at times. This is an excellent place to visit for a good history lesson presented in a fascinating mannter.