Reconceptualization of Mi’gmaq Governance

 

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”