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A Capers Place   Cape Breton and it's Origins     History Forum       Mi'kmaq,location,population,names and language

Posted December 14th, 2004 09:20 AM   IP caper2caper Administrator Posts: 1577 Registered: Feb 2004    Micmac Location Canadian Maritimes including Nova Scotia, the Gaspé Peninsula in Quebec, Prince Edward Island, and the eastern half of New Brunswick. Beginning about 1630 a Micmac band also occupied southwestern Newfoundland. Population Estimates of the original Micmac population vary between 3,000 and 30,000, with general consensus being somewhere around 20,000. European contact began early, and by 1620 epidemics had reduced the Micmac to less than 4,000. By 1760 their numbers had fallen to around 3,000, reaching a low point of 1,800 during in 1823. Precise counts have been difficult because of extensive intermarriage with the French population. Canada currently lists more than 16,000 registered Micmac, but their actual number in both Canada and the United States is much higher, perhaps as many as 25,000. Canada has 28 separate groups of Micmac, but only one Micmac tribe is recognized in the United States, the 500 member Aroostook Band of Micmac in northern Maine which received state recognition in 1973 with federal status following in 1991. Because of the 1794 Jay Treaty between Great Britain and the United States, the Micmac have the right to move freely back-and forth across the border. Many have chosen to leave the Canadian Maritimes in favor of the northeastern United States. Presently, more than 2,000 Micmac reside in the greater Boston area (making them one of the largest Native American groups in New England). Several hundred more live in New York City. Names Mi'kmaq is actually correct spelling, but over the years, Micmac has become the more commonly used name. Other variations are Míqmaq, Míkmaq, and Mi'mkaq. Their name comes from a word from their own language meaning "allies." Other names used for Micmac were: Cape Sable Indians, Gaspesian (Gaspesien, Micmac of Gaspé), Matueswiskitchinuuk (Malecite "Porcupine Indians"), Shonack (Beothuk "Bad Indians"), Souriquois (French), and Tarrateen (British). Language Algonquian, but distinct from the Abenaki to the South and with some traits associated with the languages of the Montagnais and Cree in Quebec. Most Micmac still speak their own language at home and use either English or French as their second language. The dialect of the Restigouche Micmac in Quebec differs enough from the Micmac in Nova Scotia that they have some difficulty in understanding each other. Sub-Tribes The Micmac homeland (Mi'kma'ki) was traditionally divided into seven hunting districts, each with its own chief. In 1860 the Micmac added another district, Taqamkuk, for a total of eight. Epelwik (Epeggoitg) "lying on the water" - Prince Edward Island. This also includes Piwktuk (Pigtog) "where gaseous explosions erupt" in Pictou County, Nova Scotia. Eskikewa'kik (Esgigiag) "skin dressers territory" - Halifax and Guysborough Counties of Nova Scotia Kespek (Gespegiag) "last land" - Gloucester, Northumberland, and Restigouche Counties of New Brunswick and Quebec's Gaspe Peninsula. Kespukwitk (Gespogoitg) "lands end" - Annapolis, Digby, Quenns, Shelburne, and Yarmouth Counties of Nova Scotia Siknikt (Sigenitog) "drainage place" - Cumberland County, Nova Scotia along with Albert, Kent, Queens, Saint John, and Westmoreland Counties of New Brunswick Sipekne'katik (Segepenegatig) "ground nut place" - Colchester, Hants, Lunenburg, and Kings Counties of Nova Scotia Taqamkuk (Tagamgoog) - southern Newfoundland Wunama'kik (Onamagig) "foggy land" - Cape Breton Island Other Micmac Traditional Bands and Communities Aboushagan, Antigonishe, Beaubassin, Cape Sable, Chibuctouche, Chignecto, Ekoupahag, Isle of St. Johns, Indian Village (Town), Inman's Island, Jedaick, Julian Tribe, Kigicapigiak, Le Have, Minas, Miramichi, Nalkithoniash, Nipigiguit, Pohomoosh, Shediac, Tabogimkik, Tabusintack, and Waycobah. Current Micmac Bands and Reserves Maine: Aroostook Reserve - Aroostook New Brunswick: Big Cove (Mesgiig Oelnei) -Reserve: Richibucto Buctouche (Tjipogtotjg) - Reserve: Buctouche Burnt Church (EsgenoÙpetitj) - Reserves: Burnt Church, Pokemouche, and Tabusintac Eel Ground - Reserves: Big Hole Tract (south half), Eel Ground, and Renous Eel River Bar - Reserves: Eel River Bar, Indian Ranch, and Moose Meadows Fort Folly - Reserve: Fort Folly Indian Island - Reserve: Indian Island Pabineau - Reserve: Pabineau Red Bank - Reserves: Big Hole Tract (northern half), Indian Point, Red Bank (2) The Brothers (shared with the Maliseet) Newfoundland: Miawputek (Conne River) - Reserve: Samiajij Miawpukek Other Newfoundland Micmac communities: Bay St. George-Port au Port, Bay of Islands, Benoit Cove, Corner Brook, Gander Bay, Glenwood, and the Northern Peninsula. The Beothuk name for the area occupied by the Micmac in Newfoundland was "Megumaghee." Nova Scotia: Acadia - Reserves: Gold River, Kejimkujik, Medway River, Ponhook Lake, Wildcat, and Yarmouth Afton - Reserves: Franklin Manor, Pomquet-Afton, and Summerside Annapolis Valley - Reserves: Cambridge, Fisher's Grant (shared by Annapolis Valley, Bear River, and Pictou Landing), and St. Croix Bear River - Reserves: Bear River (3), and Fisher's Grant (shared by Annapolis Valley, Bear River, and Pictou Landing) Chapel Island - Reserves: Chaple Island, and Malagawatch (shared by Chapel Island, Membertou Wagmatcook, and Whycocomagh) Eskasoni (Eskusone) - Reserves: Eskasoni (2) Horton - Reserve: Horton Membertou - Reserves: Caribou Marsh, Malagawatch (shared with Chapel Island), Membertou, and Sydney Millbrook - Reserves: Beaver Lake, Cole Harbor, Millbrook, Sheet Harbor, and Truro Pictou Landing - Reserves: Boat Harbour West, Fishers Grant (2) (shared by Annapolis Valley, Bear River, and Pictou Landing), Franklin Manor, and Merigomish Shubenacadie - Reserves: Indian Brook, New Ross, Pennal, and Shubenacadie Wagmatcook - Reserves: Malagawatch (shared by Chapel Island, Membertou Wagmatcook, and Whycocomagh), Margaree, and Wagmatcook Whycocomagh - Reserves: Malagawatch (shared by Chapel Island, Membertou, Wagmatcook, and Whycocomagh), Port Hood, and Whycocomagh Other Nova Scotia Micmac Communities: Beaver Dam, Caribou Marsh, Grand Lake, Hammond's Plains, Menomish Harbour, and Mooley's Landing Prince Edward Island: Abegweit - Reserve: Abegweit. Lennox Island - Reserve: Lennox Island Other Prince Edward Island Micmac Communities: Morell, Rocky Point, and Scotchfort Quebec: GaspÈ (No Reserve) Gespapegiag (Maria) - Reserve: Gespapegiag Restigouche (Listuguj) - Reserve: Listugu Please use link for further research. http://www.tolatsga.org/Compacts.html Hey! Don't make me have to come in there

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