Mi’kmaq Land & Symbols

Some TerminologyL’nu (plural “L’nu’k”): what the

Mi’kmaq people call themselves; it means “the people”

Nikmaq: the term from which Mi’kmaq is derived; this is reportedly the greeting that the First Nations people taught explorers from Europe in the 1600s; it means “my kin-friends”

• The term “nikmaq” was corrupted by the Europeans and became:- Mikmak - Mickmack- Mick Mack - Mic Macand various other misspellings

• In the 1980s there was a movement to return to a more accurate spelling and pronunciation of Mi’kmaq

Mi’kmaq vs. Mi’kmaw?Mi'kmaq is the plural form of the singular Mi'kmaw

When one uses the word Mi'kmaq it always refers to more than one Mi'kmaw person or it refers to the entire nation

Some More TerminologyMi’kma’ki: the area of land occupied by the

Mi’kmaq at the time of European contact; this region included Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, part of the Gaspe Penninusla, Newfoundland and most of New Brunswick

Reserve: land owned by the Crown and held for the use or occupancy of a First Nations band; the band has an exclusive right to use or occupy its reserves

Band: a community of First Nations peoples who are from the same region

Districts of Mi’kma’kiMi’kma’ki was divided into seven districts that

were named for the geographical characteristics of the area

Each district was led by a District Chief

The group of seven district chiefs made up the Mi’kmaw Grand Council, which governed over the Mi’kmaw people

Each district was made up of many smaller communities; each community was led by a local chief

Grand Council Flag of the Mi’kmaq Nation

The flag’s colours and symbols each have distinct meanings:◦ Wapék (White) – Denotes

the purity of Creation◦ Mekwék Klujjewey (Red

Cross) – Represents mankind and infinity (four directions)

◦ Nákúset (Red Sun) – Represents forces of the day

◦ Tepkunaset (Red Moon) – Represents forces of the night

The flag is meant to be hung vertically but it is commonly flown horizontally with the star in the upper left corner

Mi’kmaq National Flag Three colors: white, red

and blue signifiying the three divine persons (The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit)

The letters N, A, M, T stand for “Nin Alasotmoinoi gil Mento Tooe” which means “I am Catholic, you are a devil, get out”

SA stands for Saint Anne, the Patron Saint of the Mi’kmaq since 1730

MIGMAG stands for Mi’kmaq

LNOG stands for L’nuk (the people)

The Medicine Wheel

Medicine wheels are tools for teaching people about their place in the universe and their relationship to all things

Some Important Symbols

The Drum: the drum promotes a oneness between humanity and nature; it is believed to be the heartbeat of Mother Earth

The Eagle Feather: eagles are highly respected and honored; eagle feathers play a part in talking or healing circles and are a powerful symbol in many cultural activities and ceremonies

Many more important symbols will be discussed in future classes

Mapping Mi’kma’ki Discuss assignment outlineDiscuss rubric