Reconceptualization of Mi’gmaq Governance
Reconceptualization of Mi’gmaq Governance
SUMMARY OF REPORT WRITTEN BY ALFRED METALLIC AND AMY CHAMBERLIN
MARCH 31, 2006
Mi’gmaq Governance
How We Govern ourselves
¡ Based on Mig’maq values
÷ Understood through our language, stories, songs and traditions
Governance
¡ Mi’gmaq Grand Council
÷ Seven Mig’maq Districts
÷ Gespe’gewa’gi District
÷ Three MMS communities are part of Seventh District
Mawiomi
¡ Gathering to address concerns and celebrate
Indian Act
Law created to Destroy All Aspects of Indian Cultures
Created Bands
¡ Listuguj, Gesgapegiag and Gespeg
Indian Act didn’t destroy Mi’kmaq values, cultures and traditions
Listuguj, Gesgapegiag and Gespeg through MMS are working towards common goals to revive Mi’gmaq Governance
Ta’n Teli Anqweiasultig’ w
“How we take care of each other”
¡ Mi’gmaq Gespe’gewa’gi successful in maintaining our values, beliefs, culture and traditions
Our language is our resource
Elders share examples of Mi’gmaq resistance to Indian Act and other foreign laws meant to destroy Mi’gmaq culture
Let’s Tell Our stories in Mi’kmaq
Illustrates:
¡ Everything is connected
Examples of how we took care of each other in logging and salmon fishing activities;
Gesgapegiag
¡ Saqamaw John Martin shared the special relationship the Mi’kmaq have with Plamu (salmon) and how this builds a responsible management of the river system
Gespeg
¡ Pascal Barnaby shares an example of Mi’kmaq resistance to Canada’s attempt to limit our rights in logging
Listugug
¡ Wendall Metallic shares an example of Mi’kmaq taking care of each other in salmon fishery during the “Incident in Listuguj”
Next Steps on Governance Work
Continue to articulate our Mi’kmaq perspective on Governance;
Share further examples on how we took care of each other and how we continue to take care of each other
This will allow is to “best take care of ourselves, each other, and the territory”