The Mi'kmaq CultureHSC 4M

By: Mohamed Abdullahi Joshua Fagu Shawn Trinh

Alex To

Table of Contents Introduction Language Classification Uses (Age and Gender) Classification Uses (Marriage and Descent) Family Setting Sexual Division of Labour Concept of Privacy Sexual Behaviour Rules Distinguishing Good and Bad Behaviour Body Ornamentations Jokes and Games Arts Leadership Roles Works Cited

IntroductionPjila'si oqoti mi'walatl getu'pgising.

“Hello everyone thanks for coming.”

The Mi‘kmaq are an Aboriginal group that inhabit Canada’s maritime parts. The nation currently has 11000 full members.

You shall learn the important functions that have allowed the group to normally function as a culture.

Language The Mi’kmaq language is an Eastern Algonquian language spoken

by nearly 11,000 Mi’kmaq in Canada and the United States out of a total Mi'kmaq population of roughly 20,000. 

The language was written in the Latin alphabet by missionaries in the 19th century.

Classification Uses (Age and Gender)

Mi'kmaq culture was patriarchal, meaning that males had the leadership role even though older women had their fair share of power. Responsibility and power wasn’t often determined by age since all members of the Mi’kmaq were taught to be responsible.

Classification Uses (Marriage and Descent)

Since marriage was Patriarchal, males were the heads of the family and community, since hierarchy levels are mostly absent from Mi’kmaq society everyone had equal standing, especially during grand committees.

Kinship Term Examples Gwi's: Little Brother Nemijgami: Grandfather

Family Setting

The fundamental unit of Mi'kmaq society was the extended family, which could consist of a leader of a group of related people including immediate family, his married children and their families. Children are also treated as adults due to being raised as mature and respectful.

Sexual Division of Labour

Males: Were in charge of hunting food, protecting their families and village during war, and having a leadership position.

Females: Were in charge of gathering food, farming, and watching over the children.

Concept of Privacy

Men and women almost never spent time with members of the opposite sex since it was seen as morally wrong. During occasions that this occurrence the invading person will be taunted and brushed off to leave and rejoin their own gender group.

Sexual Behaviour Rules

Men and women will usually gather together as separate groups at any social or community functions. However, with the Mi’kmaq it is usually unacceptable for a person to join a group of the opposite sex. Women will usually tease a male in order to discourage his stay in their group. Also unless the partners are married sex is prohibited.

Distinguishing Good and Bad Behaviour

All Mi’kmaq members are taught to never use irrational behaviour or emotion to keep face with the community. Males are told to be quiet, attentive, and brave. Women are expected to be compassionate and loving. Children and youth are encouraged to show respect for adults at all times. They are also encouraged to express their opinions and share their feelings in matters that affect them personally.

Body Ornamentations

During times of war, warriors might coat themselves in special dyed roots as a sign of being strong warriors and cause fear among the enemy.

Jokes and Games The Mi'kmaq would often use storytelling as a fun recreation

and would turn into a story cycle. The Mi’kmaq would play their own version of hockey called

Oochamadyk which was also played on ice involved a wooden stick.

Arts The Mi’kmaq’s most

favourite and most well known form of art was their vivid and unforgettable way of storytelling. The story would turn into cycles and the storyteller could take points from one and insert them into another to highlight certain points.

Leadership Roles

Mi'kmaq territory and districts had its own independent government made up of a chief and a council. The council was made up of band chiefs, elders, and community leaders thought leaders. There was also a Grand Council composed of district chiefs. Special roles were handled by Elders, the women's council, and the hereditary Grand Chief.

Works Cited

Paul, D. (2001). Mi'kmaq Culture. Holmes, R. (1988). Micmac, Maliceet and

Beothuk Collections in Great Britain. Whitehead. Coffin, M., & Halifax, N. (2003). United they

stood, divided they didn't fall: Culture and politics in Mi'kmaq Nova Scotia, 1969-1988. Halifax, N.S.: Saint Mary's University.