Mi’kmaq Culture & Traditions
The Mi’kmaq are First Nations within North America who lived for thousands of years in the Mi’kma’ki, today also known as Atlantic provinces. Their knowledge is bounded to the area where they lived, as well as to the nature which is the core of Mi’kmaq culture and language. Their “expertise is based on a worldview of belonging to a place, knowing it, and protecting the way of life within it.” (Mi’kmaq History Month October 2017, see below).Mi’kmaq spirituality is animistic, which means that they acknowledge the spirit within every animal, every plant, every stone, every human. Therefore, humans are not superior beings, but rather they have to life in a balance with mother earth, based on respect of her integrity and own rhythm. In Mi'kmaq language Msit No'kmaq means "All my relations", which refers to the notion that the people are connected with everything and thus nature has to be treated as kin. This belief emanates from the root of social life, Netukulimk, which also includes political and economical structures and behavoirs. „Netukulimk is achieving adequate standards of community nutrition and economic well-being without jeopardizing the integrity, diversity, or productivity of our environment“.
In Mi'kmaq tradition, the fundament of human life is that every person has a purpose and goal. Everything that happens in someone’s life is meant to be. What every person takes out of it, is an individual decision rooted in the free will. This view means to see life not as determined destiny but filled with chances and new paths. A very powerful quote explains: “Once you are walking your intended path, you find that all things you need (but not necessary those you want!) are made available to you”.
Telling stories is one significant oral tradition of Mi’kmaq peoples. It does not only safe and pass on knowledge, furthermore, it means to come together, listen to each other and to be thoughtful about one’s family and/or community tradition. To keep one thought in mind: do you more likely remember an anecdote your grandma or grandpa told you in your childhood, or a paragraph in a history book in fourth grade? However, the Mi’kmaq oral tradition developed over the centuries and is therefore filled with experiences and stories which define the Mi’kmaq peoples, their very unique culture and remarkable way of life.
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Historical Abstract
When European fisherman came to the East Coast of North America, it was the first contact they and the Mi’kmaq peoples had. After the French settlers claimed Nova Scotia as part of Acadia in the 17th century, both sides engaged in a permanent contact. The Acadians build communities and lived alongside the Mi'kmaq peoples. They became friends in some ways, as well as allies against the British settlers. In 1755 the British Crown ordered to deport the Acadian peoples from North America. Because of the help by the Mi'kmaq, some Acadians could hide or escape the British.In consequence of several wars and European diseases many Mi’kmaq peoples died. Eventually, they made some treaties with the British crown, after the British settlers occupied the East Coast provinces. In the following years the government of Nova Scotia took more and more authority (ownership) over the land. When the Dominion of Canada was founded in 1867, the Canadian government continued to assimilate First Nations peoples to the European/Canadian way of life. The Indian Act from 1868 was one crucial step towards a series of actions in order to eliminate Indigenous cultures and traditions, followed by the Residential School system, where children were taken from their homes and families. Only at the end of the 20th century Indigenous Rights and treaties are recognized under section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982. Unfortunately, this did not mean that Indigenous nations in Canada regain autonomy and the way of life they had before the European settlers stole their land. Till now, it is hard work to realize integrity and respect for Indigenous peoples and cultures in North America. The Mawio’mi gathering on October 4th in Nova Scotia is an event to raise awareness for this issues in order to, finally, achieve substantial social change.
The Mi’kmaq flag
Today, there is still systemic and structural discrimination against Indigenous nations and peoples in Canada. The acknowledgement from Acadia University that they are on unceded and unsurrendered territories of the Mi’kmaq was absolutely essential though it came (too) late. On the Circle of Hope Mawio’mi on October 4th, Acadia University organized a ceremony where they raised the flag of the Mi’kmaq on the top of the University Hall building. Another
flag is hanging at the dykes besides the national flag of canada, the
flag of nova scotia and wolfville. A few weeks ago I recognized the
Mi’kmaq flag in the gym as well. This are only small visible signs that a
rethinking began, and they should remind us every day of the history of
this territory.
The Mi'kmaq Grand Council Flag has a white ground, Wape'k, which stands for the purity of Creation, with a red cross, that presents mankind and infinity (four directions). The sun, Na'ku'set, forces the day, and, finally, the moon, Tepkunaset, the night.
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