Mi’kmaq Who Left a Mark on the History of the Northeast, 1680-1980

Nicole O’Byrne talks to Janet E. Chute and Donald M. Julien about their book, Muiwlanej kikamaqki "Honouring Our Ancestors": Mi’kmaq Who Left a Mark on the History of the Northeast, 1680 to 1980.

Drawing upon oral and documentary evidence, this volume explores the lives of noteworthy Mi’kmaw individuals whose thoughts, actions, and aspirations impacted the history of the Northeast but whose activities were too often relegated to the shadows of history.

The book highlights Mi’kmaw leaders who played major roles in guiding the history of the region between 1680 and 1980. It sheds light on their community and emigration policies, organizational and negotiating skills, diplomatic endeavours, and stewardship of land and resources. Contributors to the volume range from seasoned scholars with years of research in the field to Mi’kmaw students whose interest in their history will prove inspirational. Offering important new insights, the book re-centres Indigenous nationhood to alter the way we understand the field itself. The book also provides a lengthy index so that information may be retrieved and used in future research.

Muiwlanej kikamaqki – Honouring Our Ancestors will engage the interest of Indigenous and non-Indigenous readers alike, engender pride in Mi’kmaw leadership legacies, and encourage Mi’kmaw youth and others to probe more deeply into the history of the Northeast.

Janet E. Chute is the principal investigator in a biographical project which led to the research, writing, and compilation of a series of entries on Mi’kmaw figures of historic note.

Donald M. Julien is the executive director of The Confederacy of Mainland Mi’kmaq.

Image Credit: UTP

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