Mi'kmaq Review Terms PDF

**[Know the following terms:]** Stereotype: Unfair, untruthfully what people have about a group of people or individuals based on certain characteristics. Peace and Friendship treaties: The piece and friendship agreements were signed between settlers on both sides of the conflict to secure fight...

**[Know the following terms:]** Stereotype: Unfair, untruthfully what people have about a group of people or individuals based on certain characteristics. Peace and Friendship treaties: The piece and friendship agreements were signed between settlers on both sides of the conflict to secure fighting allies or at least guarantee Indian neutrality. The British formalized these guarantees by writing them down. In 1752 the Mi'kmaq grand chief by the name of Jean Baptiste Cope had signed an agreement with the governor of NS These agreements are what are known as peace and friendship treaties. In 1993 Premier John savage and Mi'kmaq Grand chief Ben Sylliboy announced that october would be Mi'kmaq history month is NS it celebrates and gives thanks for signing the treaties of peace and friendship Potlatch: They held potlatches to confirm titles on important members of the community/clan. There often happens dancing, feasting, and gift giving, chiefs were named, marriages celebrated, or children adopted. -celebrate a change of rank or status with dancing, feasting and gifts -potlatch means to give -it showed how much power,status and riches they had \- Potlatch is a ceremonial feast where wealth and gifts are distributed or destroyed to demonstrate the host's generosity, power, and status \- ceremony marks significant life events such as marriages, naming ceremonies, or mourning -Potlatches were historically used to reaffirm social status and community connections -potlatch ceremonies are used for the naming of children, marriage, transferring rights and privileges and mourning the dead -it demonstrates a leaders wealth and power -it also focuses on the reaffirmation of family, clan and international connections, and the human connection with the supernatural world -it was an effective way of sharing those riches and establishing social ties \- Potlatch is crucial for maintaining social structure, reinforcing community bonds, and redistributing wealth -\> demonstrates the importance of generosity and reciprocity in Mi'kmaq culture \- ceremony also connects participants to their spiritual beliefs and cultural identity Enfranchisement: Status Indians who joined the military could now vote. Veterans who were Status Indians came back from the Second World war and found they had lost their status and a home to return to. enfranchisement is the process by which Indigenous individuals were given citizenship rights under Canadian law. It often required abandoning Indigenous status and culture. The Government aimed to reduce the number of „Status Indians," decreasing government responsibilities toward Indigenous communities. By Integrating Indigenous peoples into settöer society, the government hoped to erase distinct Indigenous identities and cultures. They were managing „wards of the Crown" was costly. Enfranchisement was a way to decrease expenses by removing government obligations. The Forced enfranchisement required Indigenous peoples to abandon their culture, language, and community ties, aligning them with settler norms and reducing resistance. Gains with Enfranchisement: Could own land Could vote in Government elections Losses with enfranchisement: Could not live on reserves Would loose al treaty rights including: Would not qualify for government payments under the treaties Would lose identity and an "Indian" under the law Would lose hunting and fishing rights Vision Quest: a vision quest might take place. -during a child\'s illness -during a time of personal doubt -during puberty Steps:\ -helpers prepare sacred place -seeker stays at sacred place and prays for vision -vision comes to seeker in form of animal and dreams carry most powerful vision -at end of vision quest helpers return and take seeker to sweat lodge. \- Vision Quest is a spiritual journey where an individual seeks guidance from a guardian spirit, usually through dreams or visions \- Quest typically involves fasting and isolation in a sacred location -The goal is to obtain wisdom, protection, or insight from the spiritual realm, often conveyed through animals or natural elements that appear in visions. -to obtain advice /protection -to sacred knowledge and strength from the spirit world. \- the Mi'kmaq, the Vision Quest is a rite of passage, especially for young people transitioning into adulthood -provides spiritual guidance, helps individuals find their life purpose, and connects them with their ancestors and the natural world -Vision Quest fosters a deep personal relationship with the spiritual world, offering strength and protection in life's journey Smudging: -Smudging involves burning sacred herbs like sage, sweetgrass, or cedar to purify a space, person, or object \- smoke from the herbs is believed to carry prayers to the Creator and cleanse negative energy -is often performed before ceremonies or important events -a medium for communication with these spiritual world, ancestors and higher powers -believed to create a bridge between the physical and spiritual realms, guidance and protection -also associated with healing practices and promoting overall well-being -Smudging is a key spiritual practice in Mi'kmaq culture, promoting healing, protection, and spiritual clarity \- helps individuals connect with their ancestors and the spirit world, creating a sense of harmony and balance \- is a symbolic act of purification, used to cleanse the mind, body, and spirit Systemic Racism: Systemic Racism is a form of racism that is embedded in and through systems, laws, written or unwritten policies, which create a widespread unfair treatment of people. White Paper: Under Prime Minister Pierre trudeau, the Canadian government released its White Paper on Indian Policy It called for the complete assimilation of First Nations peoples into Canadian society White Paper proposed to: repeal the Indian Act, ending federal responsibilities to First Nations end Indian status and treaties eliminate reserve land transfer all responsibilities for Aboriginal peoples to the provinces The paper was presented by the Indian Affairs minister at the time, Jean Chrétien The reaction was immediate and fierce, with almost every Indian organization protecting against the plan The paper was dropped and Native political organizations became stronger and more unified Also in 1969, Indian agents were removed from the reserves The White Paper -Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau released the White paper on Indian policy -It called for complete assimilation of First nations into Canadian society -The white paper proposed to: Repeal the indian act, ending federal responsibility to first nations End Indian status and treaties eliminate reserve land Transfer all responsibilities for Aboriginal people to the provinces Indian organizations protested the plan and it was dropped. The 1969 White Paper proposal aimed to abolish the Indian Act but faced strong opposition from First nations leaders, Highlighting the risk of assimilation. In May 1969, the government held a meeting of regional Aboriginal leaders from across the nation in Ottawa. It heard their concerns about Aboriginal And treaty rights, land title, self determination, education, and healthcare. After the consultations, Chrétien presented the government\'s White Paper to the House of Commons on June 25, 1969. The paper said that this would make First Nations Peoples equal to other Canadians by making them official Canadian citizens. The White Paper also proposed all special programs available to indigenous peoples because of their Indian status should be removed. This would end special or individualized treatment by ethnicity. The Paper said that eliminating Indian status would \"enable the Indian people to be free---free to develop Indian cultures in an environment of legal, social and economic equality with other Canadians.\" Results of White Paper? -The Indian Act would end \- All treaties would be discontinued -The Reserve System would be abolished -Native People would have the same rights and responsibilities as every other Canadian -Native Leaders responded with The Red Paper, outlining their concerns and their protests against The White Paper -By 1970, Pierre Trudeau withdrew „The WHite Paper" policy Oral History: Oral histories are the way the Mi'kmaw people learned about their culture and history. These are spoken stories and legends through which they understand their past. -oral histories are the way mi'kmaq people learned about their culture and history -these are spoken stories and legends through which they understand the past. Residential Schools: Residential schools forced Mi'kmaw children to leave their traditions behind and only practice Catholic beliefs. Over time, many Mi'kmaq became Catholic. indigenous children were taken from their families and forced onto schools that aimed to erase Mi\'kmaq identity. The goals of Residential Schools were to assimilate Indigenous children into Canadian Society, to erase Indigenous cultures, languages, and traditions, and to prepare children for life within white settler society. Wigwam: The Mi'kmaq lived in homes called wigwams Wigwams could be built in a day and were put up by women They were made with: Five spruce poles, tied together at the top with split spruce root \- Poles are spread out at the bottom for width Braced just down from the top with a hoop of moosewood Shorter poles offered support to the birch bark cover Birch bark sheets were laid over the poles starting from the bottom and overlapping as they worked up the wigwam \- Birch bark was used because it was waterproof and portable Top was left open for smoke to escape A separate bark collar covered the top in bad weather Floor was lined with fir twigs, woven mats, and animal fur A large hide acted as the door Painted with figures of animals and birds The largest wigwam housed 12-15 people \- For larger families a longer style with two fireplaces was built) Elder: Four ways elders are helpful in the community. They helped educate children, offered practical suggestions about daily life (including the best places for hunting and fishing and ways to make household items), they are keepers of traditional knowledge and history,they also connected the community to its past by telling stories and legends. Additionally they are spiritual guides and advisors. Why did the elders lose much of their spiritual importance in aboriginal communities? They lost their spiritual importance in aboriginal communities because the federal government and christian churches tried to assimilate aboriginal people. Why is the role of elders vital once more? They participate in decision making in most Aboriginal organizations and communities. How does an elder become an "elder"? An elder becomes an elder when a man or a woman must have lived through many experiences to gain knowledge and wisdom. In addition an elder must also be recognized by their community as a wise person, they don\'t seek status. Two roles of elders today. They connect people to the events, customs and ceremonies of the past. Elders also perform as counselors but they do not impose their knowledge and wisdom. Recently they also become mediators in criminal proceedings involving aboriginal people. Elders in the community were some of the most important teachers. They would pass traditions of culture and traditional language on to ensure it wasn't lost. Smudging: What is smudging and why do Native people do this? Smudging is a ceremony where people draw smoke over their body as an offering to the spirits and the smoke cleanses the body. -Smudging involves burning sacred herbs like sage, sweetgrass, or cedar to purify a space, person, or object \- smoke from the herbs is believed to carry prayers to the Creator and cleanse negative energy -is often performed before ceremonies or important events -a medium for communication with thes spiritual world, ancestors and higher powers -believed to create a bridge between the physical and spiritual realms, guidance and protection -also associated with healing practices and promoting overall well-being -Smudging is a key spiritual practice in Mi'kmaq culture, promoting healing, protection, and spiritual clarity \- helps individuals connect with their ancestors and the spirit world, creating a sense of harmony and balance \- is a symbolic act of purification, used to cleanse the mind, body, and spirit \- He gives thanks to all seven directions during the smudging ceremony. \- The smoke from sweetgrass is used to purify the body and release toxins. \- Sweetgrass is burned as part of the ritual. \- Smudging helps eliminate negative thoughts and emotions, promoting well-being. \- The smoke represents spoken words, and shadows guide and protect the participants. -during th smudging he thanks all 7 directions -the use of smoke from the sweet grass is to purify their body and let the toxins out -burns sweet grass -a way to feel better and no negative thoughts -smoke represents spoken words -shadows protect and guide us \- thank mother earth -thankful for being able to negotiate to life on mother earth -south thanks to grandmothers give knowledge -west young people have two set of eyes young people backbone of our nation -younger people -north mother who brought us to earth feeds us with her energy -teaches us a s children and takes care of us -teaches to get along with one another What are the reasons for Mi'kmaw People to participate in Smudging? \- Smudging is a way to cleanse and purify the body, mind, and spirit. \- It allows participants to connect with the seven directions and express gratitude to Mother Earth. \- The ritual helps remove negative energy and bring a sense of peace and clarity. \- It serves as a way to reflect, express thanks, and align oneself with the teachings and guidance of ancestors. \- Smudging encourages positive thoughts and spiritual well-being. Metis: Metis are people of Mixed European and Indigenous ancestry and one of the three recognized Aboriginal peoples in Canada. The Metis Nation are people born of relations between First Nations women and European men. Glooscap: First bolt of lightning caused the formation of an image of a human body shaped out of sand. Second bolt of lighting gave a Glooscap. Third bolt of lighting caused Glooscap to become free and be able to stand on the surface of the earth. Glooscap is thankful for seven directions. Glooscap learned respect for his family and passed knowledge to his people helping them survive. -first Mi'kmaw person -first bolt caused formation of an image of a human body -\>shaped out of sand -second bolt gave life to Glooscap -third bolt caused Glooscap to be free and to be able to stand on the surface of earth -spun around 7 times Indian Act: The treaty promises have been broken. The Indian Act took away Indigenous people's land rights and cultural practices, which was against the treaties - - It contains most of the federal law concerning aboriginals It determines who controls reserves, how they are governed, and it defines what it means to be a status Indian. Indian Agent: A representative of the federal government to enforce policies on Canadian Native tribes. Many today feel that the act should be repealed. [What is the Indian Act?] A statute (act of Parliament) that covers how the Canadian government deals with first nations bands The act was first passed in 1876 and is still in effect (with amendments) The act is very wide-ranging and gave the federal government total power over First Nation and their land Purpose was to encourage assimilation The act was paternalistic and treated Aboriginal people like children that need parents to look after them The Indian Act is not a treaty and was not negotiated; it was imposed on Aboriginals by the government It says how reserves a d bands can operate Defines how bands can be created and spells out the powers of \"band councils" Disregarded the traditional line of heredity that many First Nations followed in choosing their leaders Government officials had power to remove chiefs (for reasons such as dishonesty, incompetence, or immorality) Government refused to honour treaty payments or to provide services to any band that failed to obey It defines who is, and who is not recognized as and "Indian" Rita Joe: Rita Joe thinks that residential schools were like institutions that tried to destroy the culture of Indigenous children. They made them lose their language, traditions, and sense of who they were. The poem talks about how the government tried to make all indigenous children assimilate into white culture, and how this has caused a lot of emotional and cultural damage to indigenous people over many generations. Rita Joe is sad, angry and feels a deep sense of loss. But she also sounds hopeful. She says she will be strong and teach others about her culture. Rita Joe was a famous Mi\'kmaq poet,who celebrated her language, culture and way of life. Indian Agent: Indian Agent: A representative of the federal government to enforce policies on Canadian Native tribes. The result of the new act was two forms of mi\'kmaq government: the new chief and Band Council, and the traditional Keptinaq(District Chief) and Council. Neither had full power, however, as every decision had to be approved by the Indian Agent. The Indian Agent had authority over the Band Council and could remove any of the Band Council members by claiming that he was not doing a good job. Federal government's representative on reserves Usually non-Aboriginal and male, and held great power Most lived on the reserve and were responsible for its administrative affairs (controlled band council meetings, approved bylaws, managed finances) Could remove chiefs and band councilors for refusing to follow the government's rules and regulations They inspected reserve schools and health conditions They could prosecute and hand down sentences for Act violations First Nations people not allowed to drink on or off reserves -- Indian agents could punish them for doing this First Nations were not allowed to leave the reserve without the Indian agent's permission until the mid-1950's Indian agents could even become Chiefs, despite the fact that they were not aboriginal Basically, the Indian Act gave one individual control over a vast array of social, political, economic and cultural functions that used to be managed by the community. Doctrine of Discovery: - 60s Scoop: The Sixties Scoop, which resulted in the forced adoption of Indigenous children. Was mass removal for indigenous children. The Canadian government was responsible for food, healthcare, houses, etc. But they didnt do a good job at that which made native people suffer. Social services took children away. Thousands of children were taken by social services. Move them into middle class white families far from reserves. Colonialism: Definition: Colonialism refers to the control of governing influence of a nation over a dependent country, territory, or people, often involving exploitation and cultural suppression. Relevance: In Canada, colonial practices disrupted Indigenous cultures and governance, contributing to systemic challenges like poverty, loss of land, and overrepresentation in the justice system. Colonialism is a practice or policies that help take over control of an already occupied area, replacing the culture with their own. This definition fits perfectly with the events of European colonialism in North America. When settlers arrived, European colonization began, which has led to many challenges faced by indigenous peoples. Restorative Justice: Restorative justice Programs: Focus on rehabilitation and repairing harm Restorative justice refers to an approach to justice that seeks to repair harm by providing an opportunity for those harmed and those harmed and those who take responsibility for the harm, to communicate about and address their needs in the aftermath of a crime. The Columbian Exchange: Exchange of plants, animals, and diseases: The Columbian Exchange was the widespread transfer of plants, animals, and diseases between the Old and New Worlds. One-way flow: The exchange primarily flowed from Europe to the Americas due to Europe's crowded populations and agricultural dominance, which allowed for the rapid spread of European plants and animals. Centralization: Centralization is a policy which sought to remove all Mi'kmaq in Nova Scotia to two reserves, at Eskasoni and Sipekne'katik. The remaining reserves were sold. Those Mi'kmaq who were opposed to Centralization were to lose their status and become enfranchised. Policy makers envisioned reduced costs related to only to decreasing the number of Indian agents, but also related to closing on reserve day schools and reducing medical staff as well as purchasing materials and supplies.