Who were the Micmac people?

Answer 1

The Mi'kmaq of eastern Canada and the north eastern corner of the United States first appeared in their homeland approximately ten thousand years ago. They call the region Mi'kma'ki. Archaeological evidence indicates that these first inhabitants arrived from the northwest and lived as hunters and gatherers attuned to the shifting, seasonal resources of the area. In the summer months they hunted and fished, often venturing out to sea to hunt whales and porpoises. Winter camps were inland and built along rivers and lakes so that they could augment their hunting by spearing and trapping eels and other water creatures.

The tribal territory included all of what is now Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, the Gaspé Peninsula of Quebec, the north shore of New Brunswick and inland to the Saint John River watershed, eastern Maine, and part of Newfoundland, including the islands in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence as well as St. Pierre and Miquelon. The Mi'kmaq neighbours recognized their territory and rarely violated its borders. Mi'kmaq people's homeland contains seven districts: Kespukwitk (lands end), Sikepne'katik ( wild potato area), Eski'kewaq (Skin Dressers territory), Unama'kik ( Land of Fog), Piktuk aqq Epekwitk ( The explosive place), Sikniktewaq ( Drainage area), and Kespe'kewaq (last land). An eighth district Epexiwitk ( Lying in the water) took in all of Prince Edward Island. A keptan or saqmaw(district chief) presided in each jurisdiction, doubling as local ruler and delegate to the Grand Council Sante' Mawiomi.