Pjila’si (Ep-ja-la-see), meaning “welcome,” has become a powerful example of what can happen when community leads the conversation.

The new permanent exhibit opened at the Museum of Natural History this year. Pjila’si was developed with the Mi’kmaw community in partnership with museum staff and the Nova Scotia Museum. The Mi’kmaw Advisory Group guided every step of its creation—selecting cultural belongings, shaping the stories, and ensuring the exhibit reflects the values, voices, and lived experiences of Mi’kma’ki.

This immersive, audio-rich experience honours Mi’kmaw language and oral traditions, inviting visitors to listen, learn, and connect in meaningful ways. Through sound and story, the exhibit continues to share the living culture of the Mi’kmaw people—past, present, and future.

Pjila’si stands as a model for community-led storytelling, celebrating collaboration, respect, and the importance of hearing directly from the voices who know these stories best.

Learn more about the exhibit and how your visitors can experience it at Museum of Natural History.