Based in Sydney, Nova Scotia, Maskwiomin is a traditional Mi’kmaq skincare remedy harnessing the natural power of birch bark extract. This knowledge, nearly lost to time, was preserved by two Elders from the Membertou First Nation. The origins of Maskwiomin trace back to a mother with a skin issue that hindered her ability to nurse, prompting a Mi’kmaq midwife to create an ointment that resolved the problem. Co-founder Tuma Young, a Mi’kmaq elder from Malagawatch, has dedicated over 25 years to reviving this traditional method of birch bark extraction, ensuring the continuation of Mi’kmaw knowledge while producing high-quality skincare products in Canada.
