Wapna'Ki Confederacy

The Mi'kmaqs

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When Champlain and his posse arrived in the Canadian Maritimes, in the early seventeenth century; the Mi'kmaq were the dominant nation; with a population of about 20,000, covering much of present day Gaspe Peninsula, Eastern Maine, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Cape Breton and New Brunswick.

They were skilled hunters, providing not only the valuable furs, but also meat for the table at the French fort, when times were lean.  Only seasonally nomadic, they resided in their small fishing villages in summer, but then moved to the inland hunting lodges for the winter. They walked or canoed to their desired destinations in spring, summer and fall; and in the winter travelled with  snowshoes, sleds, and toboggans; all Canadian innovations.

At the time, their homeland was divided into seven districts (similar to provinces or states): Kespukwitk, Sikepne'katik, Eski'kewaq, Unama'kik, Piktuk aqq Epekwitk, Sikniktewaq, and Kespe'kewaq. A Keptan Orsaqmaw (district chief, premier, senator) presided in each jurisdiction, doubling as local ruler and delegate to the Grand Council Sante' Mawiomi (senate, parliament,etc.)

The Mi'kmaq people were divided into clans or 'bands', but unlike many other Canadian Nations at the time, the line of descendant was through the father.  Each clan had its own symbol (like a coat of arms), and a local chief (mayor) and council of elders (aldermen): governed the summer villages. Each of the seven district chiefs, known as Saqamaw, presided over the council of local chiefs,  that usually met in spring and fall. Most important decisions such as assignment of hunting territories or matters of war were handled at the district (provincial) level.  In matters involving the entire Mi'kmaq Nation, all of the district chiefs would convene in a Grand Council to achieve a consensus and elect one of their members to be Grand Saqamaw (like Membertou).

This Grand Saqamaw would also act as a spokesman to outsiders.  At times of war, the Wapna'ki Confederacy allowed the entire Mi'kmaq Nation to form one large army, but at other times, they respected their neighbors territory and rarely violated its borders.

The Grand Council was the governing body of the nation and was led by several officers, including a kji'saqmaw(grand chief), a putus (treaty holder and counselor), and a kji'keptan (grand captain and advisor on political affairs). The Sante Mawiomi determined where families might hunt, fish, and set up their wumitki (camp).   The most important function of the Grand Council, however, was to manage relations with other nations. Looking at this, it is not unlike the Government of Canada today.  One Nation divided into provinces (districts), each province responsible for governing municipalities (villages), with an elected premier (Grand Saqamaw) to represent them at the federal level (Confederacy).  Each municipality has it's own town council (Council of Elders), and mayor (chief or saqamaw), who represents them at the provincial level (district level). What's more important to remember, aside from how much it resembles government agencies today, is that it existed long before the Euro-Canadian's arrival, and in many ways, was the pattern followed to establish Democracy.

The Malicetes

The Malicetes were much lower in number than the Mi'kmaq, and did not require a break down by district.  However, their basic system of government was the same.  They were directed for the most part by their spirituality and belief in a greater spirit, but also maintained a political structure and class system. The successful hunters, were always to be given general preference and respect, and though the sons of a Chief always had the edge, the position was not necesssarliy hereditary.  A contined success in the hunt or when fighting enemies, could easily bring a young man to the top of his tribe.  Loyalties began with the extended family (tribe), but that family's loyalty was always to the greater good for the entire Nation.

Through the Eyes of the Mi'kmaq Women

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