Much ado about being Mi’kmaq | TheIndependent.ca

The federal government has pulled a U-turn

http://theindependent.ca/2013/05/21/much-ado-about-being-mikmaq/

Great article!

"It's ... a new sort of model for aboriginal/First Nations recognition. No longer based on percentages of "blood" (a positive step, say some), now applicants merely have to prove – more flexibly – that they are of "Canadian Indian ancestry".

"From many perspectives this is a sensible approach: there was a curious colonial irony in the notion that Canadian courts ought to have the ability to decide indigenous identity. A sensible approach too given the racism and discrimination which led generations of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to hide their Aboriginal family connections. [...]  First came the recognition…and then came the catch. The federal government expected around 10,000 people to apply. Thus far, around 10 times that number – about 100,000 – have applied.

"Oops.     Too successful

"Yet, instead of celebrating this as the positive moment it could be, the federal government has pulled a U-turn which threatens to disrupt any positive progress it has made, and questions the integrity of its dedication to open and fair dealing.

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Mi’kmaq recognition

The government has suddenly disowned the process

http://www.thestar.com/news/insight/2013/05/05/in_newfoundland_too_many_want_recognition_as_mikmaq_indians_federal_government_says.html

"Gerry Byrne, Liberal MP for the Newfoundland riding of Humber-St. Barbe-Baie Verte, has introduced a motion in parliament calling on the agreement to be extended and remaining applicants to be assessed under current criteria.

"Byrne, who has applied for Indian status under the deal, notes the committee assessing applications has always included two federal government representatives. After four years of enforcing the agreement's enrolment criteria, the government has suddenly disowned the process and tried to paint applicants as frauds, Byrne charges.

"Instead of saying, 'We didn't know what we were doing and we signed something we regret,' the government is now saying, 'It's the applicant's fault,'" Byrne says in an interview.

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New Mi’kmaq book of traditional stories released

Stories recollected from our grandmothers

[LINK]

"This book features the words of local Mi'kmaq grandmothers Murdena Marshall, Diana Denny, Flo Young and Susie Marshall on the topics of pregnancy, birth, and raising children, as well as a number of stories they have recollected from their own grandmothers. Assisted by researchers Prune Harris and Cheryl Bartlett, "Our Grandmothers' Words" shares knowledge and wisdom from teachings passed down from women to women, over the generations.

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Original Ottawa-approved terms of the Qalipu settlement in dispute

"Ottawa rushes to tighten up entry rules before 70,000 Canadians are declared Mi'kmaq"

[LINK to National Post article]

Worth reading to see what the federal governement is up to. Mr Byrne is quoted extensively and is once again a strong advocate for unrecognized Mi'kmaq applicants.

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A case study on what it means to be Aboriginal

Listen to this segment on the Current.

http://www.cbc.ca/thecurrent/episode/2013/04/26/a-case-study-on-what-it-means-to-be-aboriginal/

This is such a mess. The federal government first concludes an agreement with the FNI to create a new band (Qalipu), and then is amazed at the number of descendants seeking to reconnect with their roots. Thousands applied, before the deadline, only to have their application consigned to bureaucratic limbo. Shameful.

I think this is a tremendous opportunity to let the wider Canadian community know what reclaiming one's heritage looks like. The Qalipu are a landless band - it's not about a few square kilometers, rather it is about reconnecting with forgotten traditions and lineage. And ultimately, it's not up to the government to tell me who I am - it's up to me.

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Míkmaq language, alphabet and pronunciation

Learn all about L'nui'sin

http://www.omniglot.com/writing/mikmaq.htm

"Míkmaq is an Algonquian language with about 8,000 speakers in Canada and the USA, mainly in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, but also in Quebec, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Maine. The Míkmaq called themselves L'nu'k (the people) and their language L'nui'sin. The word Míkmaq comes from their word nikmaq, meaning "my kin-friends." The language is also known as Micmac, Mi'gmaq, Miigmao or Restigouche."

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Ready for the Arts Challenge?

Aboriginal Arts Challenge

http://www.our-story.ca/ac

"Are you an Aboriginal Canadian between the ages of 14-29? Showcase your talent and creativity, and have your work reviewed by the foremost Aboriginal artists! You could win cash prizes and even have your work exhibited in a gallery!



"Don't forget, the deadline for the Challenge is March 31, 2013.
Want to know more? Check out our Guidelines page.

The program is organized by The Historica-Dominion Institute

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Haida Carver James Hart

The Dance Screen, a massive wooden sculpture featuring principal animal figures from Haida stories is now on display at the Vancouver Art Gallery (VAG) until January 2014. 
Artist James Hart  will talk about the process of creating his screen in a special artist presentation on Tuesday March 26 at 7pm (at the VAG). 

"In late 2009, artist James Hart began designing a large-scale sculpture titled The Dance Screen (The Scream Too) and began carving the work in 2010. This ambitious project brings together many of the principal animal figures from traditional Haida stories, especially creatures that depend on salmon for their survival."

Hart has worked with Robert Davidson and Bill Reid and has been included in major exhibitions of Haida and Northwest Coast art around the world. 

Introducing....

I was at a presentation recently, and the main speaker introduced herself with a few words from the Squamish language before beginning her talk. I was struck by the power of being able to say a few words in her own heritage language and thought that I would like to be able to do the same thing. I think it shows a sense of reclaiming your past and bringing that into your present cultural identity.

So for me, maybe I need to begin my presentations with

"Kwe'  (gway). Ni'n-teluisi  (neen-dell-who-easy) Gordon Powell..."

Mi'kmaw Creation story

I came across this great blog post that retells the Mi'kmaw creation story, introducing all the important people and animals, and their place in the traditional stories. It has helped me get a better sense of the richness of our culture.