Mi'kmaq Association for Cultural Studies was initated in the fiscal year 1973-1974 through the efforts of the Union of Nova Scotia Indians, which is an official and incorporated political organization for the Indian Bands of Nova Scotia.In August 1974, MACS received its incorporation certificate from the Registrar of Joint Stock Companies, Nova Scotia, under the file Number 1110, fulfilling Section 3.2 (c) of the DIAND Criteria Department Management, Policy and Procedures.
MACS is controlled by the Board of Directors comprised fo chiefs of their designated councillors. During the fiscal year 1982-83, the Grand Chief of the Mi'kmaq was accorded a seat on the Board as an honorary member. Annually, the board selects a Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson who assists the Executive Director in the day to day operations of the program. According to the constitution, the Board meets at least four times in a given fiscal year.
OBJECTIVES
According to our Constitution , the objectives of the association are:
(a) To promote, maintain and protect the customs, language history, tradition and culture of the native Mi'kmaq people.
(b) To facilitate and promote understanding and awareness to the cultural heritage of native Mi'kmaq people amongst the general public through education.
(c) To teach, develop and promote the culture, language and history of native peoples of Nova Scotia, Canada and generally native people around the world.
(d) to develop mehtods, processess and programs by which the objects noted in paragraphs a,b, and c, may be obtained.
(e) To establish and maintain the Mi'kmaq Association for Cultural Studies relating to the native history, culture with emphasis on subjects realting to the native history, culture language and traditions of the Mi'kmaq people.
(f) To acquire by way of grant, gift, purchase, beqest device or otherwise, real and personal property and to use and apply such property to the realization of the objects of the Society.