1. Introduction to Mi’kmaw Studies

2. Proper Use of Mi’Kmaq or Mi’Kmaw
Mi’kmaq means “The Family”
Mi’kmaq is plural
Mi’kmaw is singular or an adjective in circumstances where it precedes a noun. (Mi’kmaw people / Mi’kmaw treaties / Mi’kmaw person)
Micmac - incorrect spelling and pronounciation of the plural form of the word Mi’Kmaq

3. Historical Background
The Mi’kmaw Nation has lived and occupied the Maritime Provinces and the southern Gaspe’ Bay peninsula for over 10,500 years. This land is known to the Mi’kmaw people as Mi’kma’ki.

5. Prior to colonization the Mi’kmaq lived according to specific laws that were bestowed upon them by their creator, laws which governed their relationship with the land, nature and mankind. Their identity as a Mi’kmaw people was and continue today to be distinctly linked to this land through their culture, language, traditions, and as the provider of sustenance and life. Land ownership is one of many European concepts that was foreign to the Mi’kmaw people at the time of contact for they did not perceive land as a possession but rather as a responsibility.

6. Mi’kmaw people depended on the land for sustenance and as such were a nomadic people who lived and traveled throughout Mi’kma’ki according to the time of year and seasonal patterns. Mi’kma’ki was divided into seven districts.

8. Travel throughout Mi’kma’ki was based on respect for those whose hunting territory one may be traveling through. Local and District chiefs met periodically to divide and assign hunting and fishing territories to Mi’kmaw families.

9. Hunting and fishing practices were based on the common belief of respect for all living things which was the foundation of social-order in Mi’kmaw society. All raw materials from animals were use wisely and little was wasted. To do such would show disrespect to the creator and also to the spirit of the animal that the Creator, Kji-Niskam (Great Spirit), provided for the Mi’kmaq when he created land and water.

10. These hunting practices of the Mi’Kmaq were based on their concept of Netukulimk - a concept which includes the use of the natural bounty provided by the creator for the self-support and well being of the individual and the Nation.

11. Creation Story

12. Early Lifestyle of the Mi’kmaw

13. Early Lifestyle No concept of land ownership
Traditional hunting / fishing territories
No formal system of band membership
Small camps - 1 or 2 families - nomadic
Law of nature
No word for “mine” or “I” only “our” and “we”

14. Early Lifestyle (Gender based Roles)
Men
Hunt
Fish
Made bows, arrows
Made cradle boards
Tabacco pipes
Knew how to prepare food, clothing and shelter
Women
Carried game back to camp
Transported camp equipment
Moved and set up wigwams
Prepared and preserved food
Made birch bark dishes
Wove mats from rushes
Made clothing
Corded snowshoes
Fetched water
Care for children

15. Early Lifestyle Matriarchal society - traced lineage through mother
If a leader cannot be chosen the female elders will make the decision based on the children they raised

17. Early Lifestyle Medicine
Entirely plant and animal based
Sweat Lodge
Body Message

18. Early Lifestyle Grand Council
Three Levels of leadership
Local Chief
District Chief
Grand Chief

19. Early Lifestyle District Chief Grand Chief Local Chief
Council of Elders
Village affairs
Supplies (dogs, canoes, etc)
Hunting skills
District Chief
Each of the seven districts
Eldest male
Council of local chiefs
Conflict resolution
Grand Chief
Grand Council
Hereditary
Hunting and
fishing territories
Treaty discussions

20. Early Lifestyle Chief must be: Best hunter Able to fish Humble
Great warrior
Take in orphans
Make careful decisions
Sit with council of elders

21. Early Lifestyle Traditional Line of Inheritance
Eldest son in the family
Last hereditary chief, Grand Chief Denny Jr. (Died April 12, 1918)
Gabriel Sylliboy, first elected grand Chief

22. Assignment
Based on this brief introductory PowerPoint and review of the handout “Mi’kmaq people” by Patrick Johnson, create a hypothesis of what the future holds for First Nations People in Canada. Keep in mind that the end of the story has not yet been told! You can present your hypothesis in a number of ways: paragraph, poem, song, flow chart, letter, drawing, or in your own unique way.