Micmaq (Canada)

The Míkmaq are an Indigenous People of the north-eastern woodlands of North America, including: Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick (eastern, northern, and southern), Québec (Gaspé Peninsula), Newfoundland, (western, southern, and eastern), Îles-de-la-Madeleine, Saint-Pierre et Miquelon, and Maine (north-eastern). Míkmaq land is known as Míkmákik.

The Míkmaq were one of the first Indigenous People of North America to make contact with European visitors, the Norse in 1000 A.D., Basque fishermen in 1372 A.D., Prince Henry Sinclair in 1398 A.D., Bristol fishermen in 1490-93 A.D., Giovanni Caboto in 1497 A.D., Gaspar de Corte-Real in 1500 A.D.

The Míkmaq continue to fight for recognition of their sovereignty, which was never surrendered.

Today there are about 25,000 Status Míkmaq living on and off Reserves in Canada and the U.S.A., and about another 25,000+ Non-Status Míkmaq.

Useful Terms:

Míkmaq - [Nationality] (plural) "The Allies" or "My Kin/Friends"

Míkmaw - [Nationality] (singular) "The Allies" or "My Kin/Friends"

Awitkatultík - [Nation] "Many People Living In One House"

Míkmaq Nation - [Nation] Interchangable with "Awitkatultík"

Santé Mawiómi - [Government] "Holy Gathering" or "Grand Council"
Maqtewékpaqtism, 29 May 2001

The Míkmaq National flag has three colors, white, red, and blue, signifying the three divine persons, The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit.

The cross signifies Christ who was crucified on the Cross.

The letters: N,A,M,T are very significant:

• N - Nin (I or Me)
• A - Alasotmoinoi (being a Catholic)
• M - Mento (gisna gil mentoin (devil))
• T - Tooe ot Tooa (get out - go out)

Nin Alasotmoinoi gil Mento Tooe (I am a Catholic, you are a devil, get out)

• SA - means Saint Anne (Patron Saint of the Míkmaq since 1730).
• MIGMAG - Míkmaq (The Allies)
• LNOG - L'núk (The People)

The flag was first raised in Listukujk (Listuguj, P.Q.) on October 4, 1900 and in Kjipuktuk (Halifax, N.S.) in 1901.
Maqtewékpaqtism, 29 May 2001

Commonly referred to as the Santé Mawiómi flag or the Grand Council flag.

The meaning of the Míkmaq Nation Flag:

• Wapék (White) - Denotes the purity of Creation
• Mekwék Klujjewey (Red Cross) - Represents mankind and infinity (four directions)
• Nákúset (Sun) - Forces of the day
• Tepkunaset (Moon) - Forces of the night

Maqtewékpaqtism, 29 May 2001

This flag was introduced by Míkmaq Smáknisk (Warriors) returning from the Oka Crisis. It resembles the Kanien'kehá:ka Rotiskenraké:te (Mohawk Warriors) flag, with the only the mans head in the center being altered.

This is the flag of Natuaqanek (Eel Ground, N.B.) community.
Maqtewékpaqtism, 29 May 2001

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Designed by Metepnákiaq (Red Bank, NB) artist Philip Young, and was adopted by Natuaqanek in the mid-1980's.

The circle represents unity and strength of Míkmaq people. The 4 directions represent the 4 seasons and 4 stages of life. The color red represents strength and power, yellow represents the sun, blue represents the water and the sky, and green represents the natural colors of nature.
Mark Dedam, August 1, 2002

In the 1 October 2005 edition of the Halifax Chronicle Herald was a photograph with the caption:

Steve Simon, Korean War verteran and Mi'kmaq elder, carries the flag of his band, Elsipogtog, formerly Big Cove, N.B., as he and other march in Halifax on Friday.

Although the flag is not entirely visible in the photo, it appears to be a 1:2 length (or longer), the upper 3/5ths white, the bottom 2/5ths blue, green and red bars (the blue bar does appear narrower), and on the white field a large rising sun showing three full rays and two half rays on the "horizon".
Rob Raeside, 1 October 2005

This symbol was carved into a rock in Kejimikújik when Awitkatultík (Míkmaq Nation) was formed, when the original seven districts became one Nation. It is a symbol of the uniting of the Míkmaq People into one Nation.

• Seven Hills - The original seven Sakamowit (Districts) of Míkmákik
• Lluiknek Klujjewey (Seven Crosses) - The original seven Sakamow (District Leaders)
• Nakúset (Sun) & Tepkunaset (Moon) - Together Represent Kisúlkw (The Creator)

Maqtewékpaqtism, 29 May 2001