Last modified: 2012-08-09 by rob raeside
Keywords: mi'kmaq | micmac | canada | first nations | cross | star | crescent |
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The Mi'kmaq 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). Mi'kmaq land is known as Míkmákik.
The Mi'kmaq 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 Mi'kmaq continue to fight for recognition of their sovereignty, which was never surrendered.
Today there are about 25,000 Status Mi'kmaq living on and off Reserves in Canada and the U.S.A., and about another 25,000+ Non-Status Mi'kmaq.
Useful Terms:
Mi'kmaq - [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"
Mi'kmaq Nation - [Nation] Interchangable with "Awitkatultík"
Santé Mawiómi - [Government] "Holy Gathering" or "Grand
Council"
Maqtewékpaqtism, 29 May 2001
![[Mikmaq national flag]](../images/c/ca_mik1.gif)
image by Maqtewékpaqtism
The Mi'kmaq 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:
Nin Alasotmoinoi gil Mento Tooe (I am a Catholic, you are a devil, get out)
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
![[Mikmaq state flag]](../images/c/ca_mik2.gif)
image by Maqtewékpaqtism
Commonly referred to as the Santé Mawiómi flag or the Grand Council flag.
The meaning of the Mi'kmaq Nation Flag:
![[Mikmaq state flag]](../images/c/ca_mikmq.gif)
image by Daniel Markstedt, 16 October 2010
I recently got this message regarding the image of the Mik'maq Grand Council
flag I drew for Wikipedia:
"[The Mi'kmaq Grand Council] flag is not
supposed to be displayed laying on its side but needs to be rotated
vertically; so the Cross is standing upright and the Crescent Moon on the
upper left, and the Star on the upper right. You see, here in my Mi'kmaq
Nation the only time the Flag is displayed on its side, as in your Picture,
is when it is draped over the coffins of the dearly departed."
Message was from Apukjij, a member of the Mi'kmaq reserve of Eskasoni First
Nation, NS, Canada
Daniel Markstedt, 16 October 2010
This makes sense given the design of the flag. However, just for the record,
this flag is quite common in Mi'kmaq communities in Nova Scotia, and is
always seen flying horizontally. I have seen it like that as recently as
September 2010 in both the Millbrook Reserve near Truro, and the Waycobah
First Nation offices in Whycocomagh, Cape Breton Island. It also
occasionally appears on the front licence plate holder on cars (unused in
NS), where it needs to be horizontal.
Rob Raeside, 17 October 2010
![[Smáknisk flag]](../images/c/ca_mik3.gif)
image by Maqtewékpaqtism, 29 May 2001
The Smáknisk (Soldier, Shield-Bearer, or Warrior) flag uses the ancient
Komqwejwíkasikl (hieroglyphic) symbol for a Smáknis in the center of the flag.
Maqtewékpaqtism, 29 May 2001
![[Warriors flag]](../images/c/ca_mik4.gif)
image by Maqtewékpaqtism
This flag was introduced by Mi'kmaq 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.
![[Natuaqanek flag]](../images/c/ca_mik5.gif)
image by Maqtewékpaqtism
This is the flag of Natuaqanek (Eel Ground, N.B.) community.
Maqtewékpaqtism, 29 May 2001
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 Mi'kmaq 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
![[Elsipogtog Band flag]](../images/c/ca_elsip.gif)
image by Eugene Ipavec, 2 October 2005
Source: Halifax Chronicle Herald
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
![[Mikmaq proposal]](../images/c/ca_mik6.gif)
by Maqtewékpaqtism
This symbol was carved into a rock in Kejimikújik when Awitkatultík (Mi'kmaq Nation) was formed, when the original seven districts became one Nation. It is a symbol of the uniting of the Mi'kmaq People into one Nation.