Competition and culture at N.S. Mik’maw Summer Games in Cape Breton

Athletes, coaches and spectators converge in Wagmatcook First Nation for the Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Summer games.

There were plenty of reasons to cheer on Thursday on day four of the Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Summer Games being held on Wagmatcook First Nation in Cape Breton.

That held particularly true for one young participant, Bonita June Peck, who lives in Wagmatcook.

“She’s been in the hospital like all her life, pretty well. IWK,” said her brother, Ashton Googoo.

Peck said she has living with heart issues for many years and in June 2024, her father - Sandy Googoo, a former Chief of the nearby We’koq’maq First Nation from 2002 to 2006 - passed away.

She said that getting to enjoy the Summer Games in her home community gives her reason to be grateful.

“Just to be alive, mostly - and just be healthy,” she said.

The Games are an annual gathering of seven Nova Scotia Mi’kmaq Nations - Membertou, Eskasoni, Potlotek, Wagmatcook, We’koq’maq, Paqtn’kek and Sipekne’katik First Nations.

While the sports are the main draw, the culture and camaraderie are on display too.

“You just get to meet some new friends, old friends from different communities - meet new people,” said Jonathan Googoo, a participant from Sipekne’katik.

“Everybody comes together and it’s just all in good fun,” added Shawn Johnson of Paqtn’kek.

Each year, the Mik’maw Summer Games come to a different community.

The 2024 Games were in Membertou. The year before, they were on Millbrook First Nation.

Three summers ago, in 2022, the Games came to Potlotek First Nation in Cape Breton.

The idea is for each community to benefit from the cultural coming-together.

“Right now, we have 2,300 athletes registered and we probably have about 5,000 people in the community right now,” said Chief Norman Bernard of Wagmatcook First Nation.

Bernard said that many extra people in a small area means not only plenty of energy, but a chance for visitors to learn more about the community’s history and spend some money.

“It’s not only in our community, but also Victoria County - everybody is benefiting from the spinoffs here,” Bernard said, adding that communities like Whycocomagh and Baddeck also see benefits at places like restaurants and motels.

The 2025 Nova Scotia Mi’kmaq Summer Games wrap up on Sunday.

For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page