Historical Overview: Mi'kma'ki - Mi'kmaw Homeland [Cape Breton University, CBU]

Mi'kmaw people depended on the land for their sustenance and as such were a nomadic people who lived and travelled throughout Mi'kma'ki according to the time of year and the seasonal pattern. Mi'kma'ki was divided into seven districts:Kespukwitk, Sipekni'katik, Eskikewa'kik, Unama'kik, Epekwitk aq Piktuk, Siknikt, and Kespek. Consequently, in an effort to maintain orderly conduct and good relationships between families, travel throughout Mi'kma'ki was based on respect for those whose hunting territory one may be travelling through. Specific hunting rules and procedures were maintained by Mi'kmaw people and processes were undertaken periodically by local and district chiefs who divided and assigned hunting and fishing territories to Mi'kmaw families. Hunting and fishing practices were based on the common belief of respect for all living things which was the foundation of social order in Mi'kmaw society. All raw materials from animals were used wisely and little was wasted. To do such would show disrespect to the Creator and also the spirit of the animal that the Creator, Kji-Niskam, (also known as the Great Spirit), provided for the Mi'kmaq when he created the land and waters. These hunting practices of the Mi'kmaq were based on the Mi'kmaw concept of Netukulimk - a concept which includes the use of the natural bounty provided by the Creator for the self-support and well being of the individual and the nation.