Halifax airport launches renovated arrivals space that celebrates Indigenous culture

The new connections area at Stanfield International Airport welcomes travellers to Canada while celebrating Mi’kmaq.

The new renovated international connections facility in the Halifax Stanfield International Airport features Mi’kmaq art and culture.

The airport consulted with the Mi’kmaq community to redesign the space, which features an eight-pointed star by Eskasoni woodworking artist Stephen Francis and artwork on six pillars by Alan Syliboy from Millbrook, according to a news release.

“When people first arrive from locations around the world, they will see my 26-foot star, which represents 48 of my ancestors who have made me who I am today,” said Francis in the release. “It will be like my ancestors telling them ‘Welcome to the land of the Mi’kmaq’.”

The space also features a wall of live plants and 14 drums from Syliboy’s Daily Drum collection.

The airport says the renovated facility will allow for more passenger traffic and cargo capacity, along with more efficient international-to-domestic connections.

The airport spent more than $6.5 million on the facility while Transport Canada and the Nova Scotia government pitched in $8.3 million and $3 million, respectively.

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