Glooscap Trading Post in Truro Millbrook, NS

As we arrived in Truro Millbrook, Nova Scotia, on Mi'kmaki territory, we checked into our hotel and set out to explore a spot—the Glooscap Trading Post. This was my first time visiting a trading post, and it was incredible to see all it had to offer.

The Glooscap Trading Post originally opened in 1972 as a humble basket shop founded by Bazil Peters. Since 2013, it has been family-owned and operated, with a commitment to providing quality Indigenous handcrafts and products for everyone to enjoy. The variety here was impressive: wellness products, clothing, accessories, home and kitchen items, body products, footwear, fireworks, crafting supplies, tobacco, and beautiful handmade beaded and quilled work.

When I think of trading posts, the first things that come to mind are pelts and furs. This trading post, though moderated in its offerings, still honors tradition with beautifully crafted furs and tanned hides. It wasn’t exactly what I was expecting, but it definitely didn’t disappoint.

The trading post is named after the legendary figure Glooscap, a prominent character in Mi'kmaq culture and mythology. Glooscap is revered as a wise teacher and a creator, believed to have shaped the land and guided the Mi'kmaq people. Visiting a place rooted in such a meaningful history added a special layer to the experience.

All in all, my visit to the Glooscap Trading Post was a memorable experience, offering insight into the blend of tradition and modernity in Indigenous craftsmanship and commerce.

november 3, 2024