Welcome to Mi’kma’ki – The Coast

Aug 31, 2017

A primer on Mi’kmaq history and culture for new residents of K’jipuktuk.

The Indigenous people of this land call ourselves Mi’kmaq (from ni’kmaq, “my kin;” originally L’nu, “the people”). While some celebrate Canada 150, the Algonquian-speaking Mi’kmaq people have been on this land for over 13,000 years.

Although pre-colonial Mi’kmaq had no written language, evidence of their history is found in petroglyphs. These petroglyphs, called Komqwejwi’kasikl (“sucker-fish writing’), are prominent in Kejimkujik and Bedford (Kwipek).

Traditionally, Mi’kmaw territory is referred to as Mi’kma’ki, and has seven subdivisions: Sipekne’katik (Wild Potato Area), Sikniktewaq (Drainage Area), Unama’kik (Land of the Fog), Kespukwitk (Last Flow), Kespe’kewaq (The Last Land), Eski’kewaq (Skin Dressers Territory) and Epekwitk aqq Piktuk (Laying in the Water and Where Explosions are Made). Halifax, or K’jipuktuk (The Great Harbour) is part of Eski’kewaq. As a result of populating former Beothuk territory, in the 1800s an eighth district was added, Taqamgug, which covers all of Newfoundland.

Read More: https://www.thecoast.ca/halifax/welcome-to-mikmaki/Content?oid=9135959