1. Three Levels of Government
Mi’kmaq
Three Levels of Government

2. Geographic Constituency
Local Council Chief
District Council Chief
Grand Council Chief
Powers
Duties
Geographic Constituency
Leadership Characteristics

3. Local Council Chief Presides over the Council of Elders
Council of Elders was usually made up of the heads of families or representatives
Responsibilities consisted of:
Making decisions within local areas
Take care of supplies, dogs, canoes, hunting, emergencies (providing for villages)
Were teachers and role models for the young
Training hunters

4. Local Council Chief cont’d
The Local Chief was always male and came from a prominent family
They were of good character and they were very good hunters

5. District Council Chief
Total of 7, 1 for each of the 7 Mi’Kmaq districts
Presides over council of local chiefs
Responsible for several villages/communities within his district
Met during spring, summer or fall to settle problems such as peace and war
Act as arbitrator - would listen to both parties and settle dispute

6. District Council Chief
The responsibilities of the Chief included:
Attending Local Council meetings
Take care of problems among districts, villages, nations
District Chief was eldest male of large powerful family
Good hunters

7. Grand Council Chief Grand Chief is most important
When he speaks, everyone listens.
Presides over Grand Council
Responibilities included:
Defending territory
Taking care of any orphaned children
Help with providing food and supplies

8. Grand Council Chief
The Grand chief had to have an exceptional character
Was an excellent hunter
2 ways to become a Grand Chief:
Hereditary (unless the father did not feel they were worthy of the position)
Survive in woods for several days without food or water. Must make a camp for 2 people and wait to see if another person arrives. If this occurs, he is capable of being Grand Chief

9. The Modern Grand Council
The Indian Act and the introduction of the elected chief and council, the role of the Grand Council has changed.
Grand council now focuses on spiritual needs of community.
Meets 2-3 times a year, usually around religious holidays.
The grand council consists of the grand chief, the putus (grand chief assistant) and the grand captain together with the captains.

10. Modern Grand Council cont’d
The captains who serve under the grand chief are selected for life.
New captain occurs when a captain dies or there is a need for additional captains.
The selection process involves the grand chief, the local priest and other concerned individuals.
The responsibilities of the captains include: offering Mi’kmaq prayers to the sick and dying, assisting a bereaved family with the funeral arrangements. Captains duties vary depending on the need of their reserve.

11. Modern Grand Council cont’d
The Grand Council also works with such groups as Micmac Association for Cultural Studies (MACS) and the Union of Nova Scotia Indians to address cultural issues in the community
The Grand Chief often presides as honorary chairperson at meetings and may travel outside of the province as a spiritual or cultural representative for the Mi’kmaq people
Grand Council and the position of Grand Chief are non-political but they are still viewed with great respect in the Mi’kmaq community

12. Answer key - Mi’kmaq Local Council Chief District Council Chief
Grand Council Chief
Powers
Presides over Council of Elders
Presides over local chiefs
Presides over Grand Council and local and district councils
Duties
Made decisions for local areas, took care of supplies – dogs, canoes, hunting.
Took care of emergencies, acted as teachers and role models, trained hunters
Acted as arbitrator, attend local council meetings, took care of problems among districts, villages
Defend territory, took care of orphaned children, help with providing food and supplies for community.
Geographic Constituency
Local area, village or community
There is one for each of the 7 districts each made up of several villages, communities
Responsible for all 7 Mi’kmaq districts
Leadership Characteristics
Male from a prominent family, good character, good hunters
Eldest male from a large powerful family, good hunters
Exceptional character, excellent hunters, hereditary, survive in woods and create a new camp