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Mi’kmaq Studies 10
Introductory unit
The Mi’kmaq: Who We Are
The Native people of Nova Scotia all belong to the Mi’kmaq tribe.
At the time of first contact with the European explorers in the 16th and 17th century they lived in what we now call the maritime provinces and the Gaspe peninsula.
Later they also settled in New England and Newfoundland.
The Mi’kmaq called themselves L’nu’k – the people The term Mi’kmaq comes from their word nikmak -
my kin friends
The Mi’kmaq: Who We Are
Home Wigwam Could be built in a day and were put up by women Five spruce poles lashed together at the top with split
spruce root and spread out at the bottom. Braced just down from the top with a hoop of moosewood shorter poles offered support to the birch bark cover.
Birch bark sheets were laid over the poles starting from the bottom and overlapping as they worked up the wigwam. Birch bark was used because it was waterproof and portable.
Top was left open for smoke to escape
The Mi’kmaq: Who We Are
A separate bark collar covered the top in bad weather
Floor was lined with fir twigs, woven mats and animal fur
A large hide acted as the door Painted with figures of animals and birds The largest wigwam housed 12-15 people (for
larger families a longer style with two fireplaces was built)
Wigwam
1930 St. Anne's Day, Chapel Island, Nova Scotia
The Mi’kmaq: Who We Are
Clothing Made from the skins of mammals, birds and fish. The skins were tanned by using animal brains, bird
livers and oil and by smoking. Bone awls were used to make holes for sewing and
animal sinew was separated into fine strands for thread.
Decorated with geometric patterns and designs of birds, beasts and humans
The Mi’kmaq: Who We Are
Pigments used for painting were red and yellow ochre from the earth, charcoal and ground white shells. These were mixed with fish roe or birds’ egg yolk.
Decorated with animal teeth, claws, bone and quills were sewn into clothing.
Feathers were sometimes used as ornaments
The Mi’kmaq: Who We Are
Tools Made from animal bone, ivory, teeth, claws,
hair, feathers, fur, leather, quills, shells, clay, native copper, stone, wood, roots and bark.
For example axes – made from grinding stone to a sharp edge and a smooth surface.
These tools were in turn used to cut and carve wood – fine carving was done with beaver teeth
The Mi’kmaq: Who We Are
Transportation The Mik’maq canoe was wide bottomed and raised at
both ends with the sides curved upwards in the middle. This design allowed them to canoe far out to sea as well as in shallow streams and even in rapids
3-8 meters long Birch bark over a light wooden frame Could carry several hundred pounds but was light
enough for one person to carry Toboggans were used in the winter to carry heavy
loads over the snow
The Mi’kmaq: Who We Are
Food The Mi’kmaq spent about all but six weeks along the
sea coast Salmon, sturgeon, porpoises, whales, walrus, seals, lobster,
squid, shellfish, eels and seabirds and their eggs made up the bulk of their diet.
They also ate moose, caribou, beaver, and porcupine as well as smaller animals like squirrels.
Berries, roots and edible plants were gathered during the summer
Meat and fish were dried and smoked to preserve them
The Mi’kmaq: Who We Are
Pastimes Storytelling – stories could last several days and
included singing, dancing and feasting. Everyone smoked – tobacco made from red willow
bark, bearberry leaves and native tobacco plants. Waltes was a favorite dice game (played today) Contests of running, wrestling and shooting Various ball games
Mi’kmaq
All cultures and societies change over time. However, few peoples have faced the deliberate and systematic attacks on their culture that the Mi’kmaq people have endured. The very survival of the Mi’kmaq language and culture is a testimony to the strength of the Mi’kmaq and their oral traditions, values and customs.
Our Stories
Storytelling has been an important way of teaching and learning in First Nations communities. Oral tradition provides cultural continuity through the sharing of stories, songs, history, personal experiences and social commentary. They reflect a unique world view and give meaning to the daily lives of individuals, families and the community. We will learn about special community events and ceremonies that sustain and nourish Mi’kmaq culture.
Our Stories
Read section 1.2 “Oral Traditions” in the text Maliseet and Micmac: First Nations of the Maritimes
Pages 13-18 (up to and including oral history)
Our Stories
What is the importance of oral traditions and storytelling?
How are oral works in contrast to the written word? Define creation stories and legends. What do they have in common? What can they be
considered equivalent to? What is a tale? What do they describe? Describe storytelling. Why are they considered both
entertainment and sources of information? Define Oral history
Small group discussions – Our Stories
In small groups identify what you believe to be the key elements of oral tradition
Why has this system worked for so long?
Our stories – group answers
Key elements of oral tradition Provides cultural continuity Keeps the family and community strong Can relate to real life situations Can teach skill – cooking, building a house Source of cultural identity and personal pride
Why has this system lasted for so long
Stories were changed to be more relevant to the generation
Captured the interest of the children It became tradition Source of entertainment It was the only way to remember the
history – there was no other way to record them
Questions
After reading the stories from section 1.2 how can you compare them to other stories that you have read? In what ways are they the same? Different?
What kinds of stories do people tell in your house? What is the oldest story you know?Is it written down? Was it always written down?
Compare the differences in a person’s language in each of the following cases: Telling a story, talking on the phone, having a face-to-face conversation, through the use of technology?
Wampum
Wampum – used as a way of recording and sending messages. It consisted of purple and white beads made from the shells of quahog clams.
The design of each string or belt indicated the type of message being sent and helped the messenger remember the specific contents.
Considered very sacred and treated with great respect
Wampum
It was mainly used for the following: 1) Establish, maintain and terminate political
relations. 2) Establish and maintain family relationships
and make marriage proposals. 3) Show that people had positions of
importance within a nation or local group. 4) To perform spiritual ceremonies. 5) To form alliances or make treaties and
agreements with Europeans.
Wampum
See page 20 for examples http://www.cnd-m.com/english/Archives/Vi
sit/2001-08-Wampum.htm
To make Wampum today
2 cups baking soda 1 cup cornstarch 1 ¼ cups cold water Stir and bring to a boil for 1 min Cover with a damp cloth and place on a cutting board
until cool Knead and roll in a snake shape Cut in bead shapes put hole in with toothpicks Allow to dry for 24-36 hours String with heavy yarn and paint
Wampum
Read pages 18-24 Page 25 answer questions 6 & 7
