Pjila’si Unama’kik | Welcome to the Land of the Fog
Jukuwe'. Mijisi. Amalka. | Come. Eat. Dance.
Join Us for a Cultural and Culinary Journey Through Unama’kik (present day Cape Breton Island)
A Celebration of Mi’kmaw Foodways, Storytelling, and Connection
Embark on a rich cultural and culinary journey that brings the traditions, flavours, and stories of Mi’kmaw heritage to life. The day begins with an immersive visit to Eskasoni Cultural Journeys, where participants will enjoy a guided cultural experience and a traditional Mi’kmaw feast. The meal showcases seasonal meats roasted over an open flame, wild local produce and a comforting molasses cake with maple butter, all served in a setting that honours the community's ancestral practices.
In the evening, Parks Canada will welcome guests to the Fortress of Louisbourg where Chef Geordy Marshall, Bear Clan, Eskasoni, will present a multi-course long-table feast that honours Mi’kmaw ingredients, traditions, and stories passed down through generations. You’ll be welcomed with a smudging ceremony and traditional songs and dances before sitting down to an unforgettable dinner paired with local craft beverages. Each course is introduced by the chef, sharing the spirit and story behind the flavours.
After dinner, guests are invited to continue their evening with libations, live music, and storytelling from talented local entertainers Emma Stevens, Graham Marshall, Beverly Jeddore at the Storehouse Tavern on site.
This experience invites you to listen, learn and share a meal that speaks to the spirit of place.
Note that tickets are limited for the full experience (both the Eskasoni and Fortress) - only 52 available - $345+taxes and fees.
Tickets for the dinner experience only are also available for $270+ taxes and fees.
Date
September 27, 2025 from 9:30AM -
9:30PM
Location
Morning experience:
Eskasoni Cultural Centre
1 Goat Island Trail, Eskasoni, NS B1W1A1
Dinner experience:
Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site
200 Kennington Cove Rd, Louisbourg, NS B1C 2L2
Price
Full Experience (Eskasoni Cultural Journeys + Dinner) – $345 per person + taxes and fees (only 52 tickets available!)
Optional roundtrip bus transportation from Sydney to both experiences – $50 per person
Dinner Experience only - $270 per person + taxes and fees (98 tickets available)
Includes all food, beverage pairings, and gratuity.
This is a 19+ event.
The Language of Welcome
The title of this event honours the Mi’kmaq language – the living voice of the land, its people and their stories. These phrases carry warmth, welcome and connection.
Pjila’si Unama’kik (ip-jee-ill-ah-see oo-nah-mah-geek) means “Welcome to the Land of the Fog”, known today as Cape Breton Island. Unama’kik is one of the seven traditional districts of Mi’kma’ki, the ancestral home of the Mi’kmaw people.
Jukuwe’. Mijisi. Amalka. (joo-goo-weh. mee-jih-see. ah-malk-gah) means “Come. Eat. Dance.” This is an invitation to gather in celebration of food, story and community.
These words reflect the spirit of the experience we’re creating together. We encourage you to repeat these words with curiosity and respect. A pronunciation guide and audio will be shared at the event to help you engage more fully.
Acknowledging the Path to Reconciliation
The Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site stands on the unceded traditional Mi’kmaw territory of Mi’kma’ki, a place with a layered and often painful history shaped by colonization, displacement, and ongoing systemic injustices. Today, as we walk the path of truth and reconciliation, this event offers a chance to engage with Mi’kmaw foodways – traditions that have nourished communities and sustained this land for millennia.
Through the artistry and stories shared by talented community leaders, we aim to celebrate the resilience, knowledge and creativity of Indigenous cultures. By experiencing these traditional and contemporary expressions of Mi’kmaw cuisine, guests are invited to engage in meaningful dialogue about the history of the land and the role food plays in connecting people, communities and cultures on the path to reconciliation.
Long table dinner at the Fortress of Louisbourg: A Taste of Lnue’kati
Chef Geordy Marshall
Geordy Marshall is a 34-year-old chef from the Bear Clan in Eskasoni, Nova Scotia. A 2023 graduate of the Culinary Institute of Canada, Geordy blends classical training with deep cultural roots to create food that nourishes both body and spirit. His culinary journey has always been guided by community — shaped by the teachings of Elders, the values of the Mi'kmaw Nation, and years of volunteering at local events.
Geordy’s passion for Mi’kmaw language and cultural revitalization runs parallel to his path in the kitchen. Raised with the knowledge of his Grandparents, Elders, aunts, uncles, and extended family, he brings a spirit of respect, gratitude, and healing to every dish he prepares. As a descendant of residential school survivors, he walks a path of ongoing healing — not only for himself, but for Msit No’kmaq (All My Relations).
Menu
Amuse Bouche
Lobster leg & Herbes Salées Crostini
A crisp roasted garlic-butter crostini crowned with delicate lobster leg and finished with house-made herbes salées, a nod to Mi’kmaw ingredients, and L'acadie preservation traditions.
Appetizer
Salad L’acadiecoise
A celebration of the land and season in Mi'kma'ki: tender Boston lettuce and sweet clover (when in bloom), layered with pickled charred onions and carrots, fire-roasted corn, roasted squash or pumpkin, green beans, and yellow-eye beans. Topped with a medium boiled egg and baked eel (or seared scallops when eel is scarce) kissed with lemon zest and butter and finished with a maple vinaigrette, inspired by the trees that have nourished our people for generations. Served with fresh, crusty rolls.
Main Course
Lobster Confit in Signature Compound Butter
Succulent lobster slow-poached in a rich, handcrafted butter infused with wild herbs, lemon zest, lemon juice, and aromatics served with Mala Potatoes and tossed in the signature compound butter. Served with warm crusty rolls for the perfect final soak.
Dessert
Pkwimano’mi Puff Pastry
A flaky, golden puff pastry filled with pkwimano’mi — Blueberry and maple sauce — and topped with a velvety vanilla-spiced whipped cream. A sweet tribute to memory, tradition, and love.
Timeline
8:30am - Bus departs from Sydney hotels, transportation to Eskasoni Cultural Journeys
9:30am - 12:00pm - Experience at Eskasoni Cultural Journeys, including lunch.
12:00pm - Bus departs Eskasoni, returns to Sydney hotels
12:45 - 4:30pm - Free time, check out Visit Cape Breton for ways to fill your time!
4:30pm - Bus departs from Sydney hotels, transportation to the Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site
5:30 - 9:30pm - Long table dinner at the Fortress of Louisbourg: A Taste of Lnue’kati - a multi-course long-table feast including traditional ceremony, storytelling, and live music
9:30 PM - 10:30 PM Bus transportation back to Sydney hotels
Live Music and Storytelling
Graham Marshall
Graham Marshall a Mikmaq drummer, storyteller, knowledge keeper and researcher comes from the MIkmaq Community of Membertou.
Born and raised there most of his life, Graham is the co-founder of the Mikmaw Drum Group Sons of Membertou which has an album out on Spotify under Smithsonian Folkways Recordings. More recently he has been performing on his own travelling around the world and telling the world about his nation while singing MIkmaw songs.
For over 30 years Graham has performed in numerous countries and collaborating with different musicians as well, he has helped many organizations on culture sensitivity training and the history of the Mikmaw people. A well known scholar and researcher as well working in the field of Ethnomusicology helping bridge Indigenous peoples throughout the world through the study of music. Recently he has performed in Washington DC,U.S, Istanbul, Turkey and Wellington, New Zealand.
Beverly Jeddore
Beverly Jeddore is “L’nu” from the Eskasoni First Nations. She is a mother of 4, grandmother of 22, and a great grandmother of 6. She comes from a family of 13 and is the third youngest in her family. She grew up with traditional & Catholic values. Beverly was immersed in the language, Medicines, prayers, hymns, culture, & traditions at home. She learned at a young age to be a traditional dancer and later became a traditional chanter & drummer.
The Denny Family have performed in various places around Canada & the United States. The family have performed at the Music & Dance Symposium in New York, The Jeux Canada Games in Cape Breton in 1987, & Host of the National Dance Symposium in 2003,
Beverly learned to sing hymns as she was chosen to carry the voice of a well known elder, the late Annie Cremo. Annie told Beverly that she sang for Patron Saint Ann since she was 14 years old; using her hand to gesture, taking her voice from her neck and placing it into Beverly’s; she asked her to be her voice. Beverly immediately started singing sacred hymns for her people at the Santewi Mawio’mi in Chapel Island & surrounding communities.
Beverly graduated at UNB with her Bachelor of Education in 1984. She started her teaching career at Eskasoni Elementary School where she worked for 28 years. She retired in 2012. Beverly returned to work in 2016 as the Mi’kmaw Language Technician for Mi’kmaw Kina’matnewey. She has developed several materials, created videos & wrote songs for learners, teachers, & parents to help revitalize and preserve the Mi’kmaw language.
Emma Stevens
Singer-songwriter Emma Stevens, from Eskasoni First Nation in Nova Scotia, is an artist whose music and activism are intertwined with her Mi'kmaq heritage. Rooted deeply in her native language and cultural traditions, Emma's work celebrates the strength and resilience of her people by merging traditional Mi'kmaq themes with contemporary musical influences.
Emma's talent has graced international stages, with performances at major festivals and significant events, including two United Nations gatherings where she passionately advocated for indigenous rights and cultural preservation. Her impactful work has garnered recognition from global leaders and notable artists such as Paul McCartney.
In the Fall of 2024, Emma released a new single in honor of the UN Decade of Indigenous Languages with Mi’kmaq rapper, Devon Paul, called Voice of the Earth. Emma is also an active member of “The EYM Project”, a brand new collective dedicated to empowering youth through art and music. Emma recently represented The EYM Project at world forums in Mexico and Egypt.
FAQ's
Will alcohol be served at the event?
The experience at Eskasoni Cultural Journeys will not include alcohol.
The experience at Fortress of Louisbourg will include both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages during the coursed meal. No alcohol will be served during welcoming ceremonies as per Mi’kmaq protocols.
Is there transportation available?
For folks participating in the full-day experience, round-trip coach transportation available from Membertou Hampton Inn and Suites or The Simon Hotel Sydney for an additional $50 + HST, per person.
Transportation for folks participating in only the dinner experience is not available.
Will the experience(s) be cancelled in the event of inclement weather?
The experiences will run rain or shine, so please dress for the weather. The experience at Eskasoni Cultural Journeys will be largely outdoors. The experience at Fortress of Louisbourg will have both indoor and outdoor components. Please dress accordingly.
What is the dress code?
Guests are encouraged to dress comfortably and casually.
Are there accommodations nearby?
We are pleased to offer special rates at:
Hampton Inn by Hilton Sydney
60 Maillard St, Membertou, NS B1S 3W3
$199+taxes (two queen beds)
The Simon Hotel Sydney
$189+taxes (1-bedroom king suite)
380 Esplanade, Sydney, NS B1P 1B1
Is the event accessible for guests with mobility needs?
The Eskasoni Cultural Journeys experience and bus transportation are unfortunately not wheelchair accessible at this time due to terrain and infrastructure limitations.
With some modifications, the dinner experience at the Fortress of Louisbourg is wheelchair accessible. While access to upper floors and some smaller spaces is limited for those using mobility devices, the main areas used for the event are accessible, allowing all guests to comfortably engage in the cultural programming, storytelling, and multi-course feast. Accessible washrooms are available onsite.
We encourage guests with accessibility needs to reach out in advance of purchasing tickets at events@culinarytourismalliance.com so we can ensure the most comfortable and inclusive experience possible.
Can you accommodate dietary restrictions?
Due to the style and nature of our meals and in order to uphold the highest quality standards, we can only guarantee accommodations for vegetarian and gluten free requests. We cannot accommodate a seafood allergy. You will be given the opportunity to enter this information during checkout if this applies to you or your party.
What is the refund policy?
Due to the nature of the events, no refunds or credits will be given if the participant is unable to attend. However, tickets can be transferred to someone else. Please contact us at events@culinarytourismalliance.com with the new guest’s information at least 24 hours prior to the event, or tell the guest(s) using your reservation to give your name at arrival.
In the case of an event being postponed due to circumstances beyond our control, we will reschedule said event and all purchases will be honoured for the rescheduled future event date.
