Sullivan’s Crossing has become known for its cozy small-town drama, Nova Scotia scenery, and of course, Chad Michael Murray – but the show is also highlighting something deeply meaningful to Atlantic Canada: Mi’kmaq culture.
The hit CTV series is set and filmed in Nova Scotia, which is part of Mi’kma’ki, the traditional and ancestral territory of the Mi’kmaq people. In Season 4, CTV notes that filming took place in Halifax, Hubbards, Sackville, Mount Uniake, and Mi’kmaq First Nations territories, among other Nova Scotia locations.
Mi’kmaq Culture Is Shown Throughout the Series
Viewers have noticed Mi’kmaq culture woven into the show through language, flags, community scenes, and cultural moments.
Throughout Sullivan’s Crossing, Mi’kmaq representation appears in ways that feel connected to the land and the community. The show includes moments where Mi’kmaq is spoken, Mi’kmaq flags can be seen, and Indigenous culture is acknowledged as part of the world the characters live in.
For many viewers in Nova Scotia and across Atlantic Canada, those details matter.
They help show that Mi’kmaq culture is not separate from the story of Nova Scotia – it is central to it.
Indigenous Representation Through Frank and Edna Cranebear
Two of the show’s most beloved characters are Frank and Edna Cranebear, played by Indigenous actors Tom Jackson and Andrea Menard.
Frank and Edna have become fan favourites because of their warmth, humour, wisdom, and relationship with the wider Sullivan’s Crossing community. Their characters bring Indigenous presence into the heart of the show, rather than keeping it in the background.
Andrea Menard, who plays Edna, is a Métis actress, singer, and performer. Tom Jackson, who plays Frank, is also one of Canada’s most recognizable Indigenous actors and musicians.
Together, their characters help bring Indigenous stories, family dynamics, and cultural identity into a mainstream Canadian series watched by audiences across Canada and beyond.
Was Sullivan’s Crossing Filmed on Indigenous Land?
Sullivan’s Crossing is filmed in Nova Scotia, which is located in Mi’kma’ki, the traditional territory of the Mi’kmaq people.
CTV has also stated that Season 4 filming included Mi’kmaq First Nations territories, along with several Nova Scotia communities.
While some fans may wonder if specific places like Goat Island or Eskasoni were used, those exact filming locations have not been widely confirmed publicly. However, Goat Island in Eskasoni is one of Nova Scotia’s most well-known Mi’kmaq cultural tourism experiences, offering visitors a chance to learn about Mi’kmaq history, traditions, language, and life along the Bras d’Or Lake.
Why This Matters
Sullivan’s Crossing is introducing more people to Nova Scotia, but it is also showing that the province’s story includes Mi’kmaq people, language, culture, and land.
That representation matters because Mi’kmaq culture has shaped this region for thousands of years and continues to be a major part of Atlantic Canada today.
For a show with a growing national and international audience, seeing Mi’kmaq flags, hearing the language, and recognizing Indigenous characters and performers helps bring more visibility to a culture that deserves to be seen and celebrated.
Where To Watch Sullivan’s Crossing
Sullivan’s Crossing stars Morgan Kohan, Chad Michael Murray, Scott Patterson, Tom Jackson, and Andrea Menard.
In Canada, the series airs on CTV and is available to stream on Crave. It is also available on Netflix in some regions.
If you love small-town drama, East Coast scenery, and heartfelt characters, this is one Atlantic Canadian-filmed show worth watching.
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