Mi’kmaq Studies 10 Land

Read p in the textbook Maliseet and Mi’kmaq – First Nations of the Maritimes Complete the chartchart Complete the questions on page 226 How did the respective views affect the European approach to the Mi’kmaq and occupancy of the Mi’kma’ki? How did the Mi’kmaq respond to the Europeans in light of their views of land

The concept of land ownership was alien to the Mi’kmaq – native spirituality dictated that no one group or person was given absolute ownership of any land – the land was meant to be shared. The Mi’kmaq respected the laws of nature the council chiefs assigned separate hunting and fishing districts to bands and passed tribal laws to control hunting at different seasons. They respected the assigned hunting and fishing territories and would move around within these –Summer camp was near water so they could fish –Winter camp was usually in the woods where they could hunt

Hunting for pleasure was disrespectful, they only hunted what was necessary for survival and they used all parts of the animal. You were free to travel and live among different bands

Roles Males –Hunted –Fished –Made bows, arrows and lances –Made cradle boards, and tobacco pipes –Should know how to make shields, fish traps and weirs, canoes, axes and knives –Should master the basics of hunting, fishing and preparing food, clothing and shelter Females –Carried game back to camp –Transported all camp equipment and set up camp –Prepared and preserved food –Made birch bark dishes, wove mats from rushes, made clothing and corded snowshoes –Fetched water –Took care of the children