Mikmaq

The Mikmaq hold Mikmaki, their national country spanning Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland, the Gaspe Peninsula and northern Maine, one of the five Wabanaki countries of the Dawnland. They speak Mikmawisimk, an Eastern Algonquian tongue once written in hieroglyphs, and lived by the sea-road: moose and caribou inland, cod, seals and shellfish on the shore, birchbark canoes between. Sagamores led allied districts that met in a Grand Council, the Santel Mawn, which still governs. First among northern peoples to face permanent Europeans, the Mikmaq traded furs, fought six Anglo-Wabanaki wars, and signed the Peace and Friendship Treaties of 1725 to 1779, which they hold to recognise friendship, not surrender. Eel weirs, quillwork, the language of 66,000 citizens and the Qalipu band's new recognition carry Dawnland life on. The seven districts still send their chiefs to the Grand Council that never surrendered, autumn torch-lit eel spearing opens each fishing season, and Wabanaki gatherings reunite Mikmaq with Maliseet and Passamaquoddy kin.