PEIDrivers on P.E.I. will soon have the option for a new licence plate after the province unveiled a design to recognize Indigenous people and their contributions to the province.Plates will be available for all passenger vehicles Oct. 15Brittany Spencer · CBC News · Posted: Oct 01, 2025 3:00 PM EDT | Last Updated: 4 hours agoA new licence plate design honouring the Mi’kmaw community on P.E.I. was unveiled during a Treaty Day celebration in Charlottetown on Wednesday. (Jane Robertson/CBC)Drivers on P.E.I. will soon have the option for a new licence plate after the province unveiled a design to recognize Indigenous people and their contributions to the province.The plate design was announced Wednesday at the annual celebrations for Treaty Day, which recognizes the relationship between Mi’kmaw communities and the province, and reaffirms government’s commitment to reconciliation.Premier Rob Lantz unveiled the new license plate along with Lennox Island First Nation Chief Tabatha Bernard.The design features a hieroglyph that originated in ancient Mi’kma’ki — a symbol that means L’nu, or “the people.” The symbol’s curves represent the cycle of life. P.E.I. Premier Rob Lantz and Lennox Island First Nation Chief Tabatha Bernard unveil the new plate design, which features a symbol that means L’nu, or ‘the people.’ (Jane Robertson/CBC)Bernard said the new plate honours Epekwitk’s Mi’kmaw culture and heritage, and that all Islanders can be proud to display it as a symbol of respect and allyship. “I’m very, very proud to see the new licence plate,” she said. “It just gives us a feeling of respect, humility, and I know there’s a brighter road ahead.”Lantz said his government is committed to working with Mi’kmaw communities in ways that are meaningful and lasting. “By deepening our understanding of the Island’s past and present, we strengthen our path forward,” he said. “I think it’s just a meaningful way to be inclusive and recognize our First Nations.”The optional plate designs will be available for all passenger vehicles beginning Oct. 15, and will cost $10 in addition to standard registration fees.The province said the proceeds will be provided to L’nuey, along with an annual grant of $5,000 to support Mi’kmoaw culture, language and heritage.Treaty Day celebrations also included a mawio’mi at the Eastlink Centre in Charlottetown to recognize the historic Peace and Friendship Treaties.ABOUT THE AUTHORBrittany Spencer is a multi-platform reporter and producer with CBC Prince Edward Island. She’s covered politics, health care and the justice system. She’s a graduate of Toronto Metropolitan University’s journalism program and joined CBC in 2017. You can reach her at brittany.spencer@cbc.caWith files from Jane Robertson
New design option for P.E.I. licence plates honours Mi’kmaw community in the province
