Mi

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Mikmaq

• Three Levels of Government

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Local Council Chief

• Presides over the Council of Elders
• Council of Elders was usually made up of the
  heads of families or representatives
• Responsibilities consisted of
• Making decisions within local areas
• Take care of supplies, dogs, canoes, hunting,
  emergencies (providing for villages)
• Were teachers and role models for the young
• Training hunters

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Local Council Chief contd

• The Local Chief was always male and came from a
  prominent family
• They were of good character and they were very
  good hunters

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District Council Chief

• Total of 7, 1 for each of the 7 MiKmaq districts
• Presides over council of local chiefs
• Responsible for several villages/communities
  within his district
• Met during spring, summer or fall to settle
  problems such as peace and war
• Act as arbitrator - would listen to both parties
  and settle dispute

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District Council Chief

• The responsibilities of the Chief included
• Attending Local Council meetings
• Take care of problems among districts, villages,
  nations
• District Chief was eldest male of large powerful
  family
• Good hunters

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Grand Council Chief

• Grand Chief is most important
• When he speaks, everyone listens.
• Presides over Grand Council
• Responibilities included
• Defending territory
• Taking care of any orphaned children
• Help with providing food and supplies

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Grand Council Chief

• The Grand chief had to have an exceptional
  character
• Was an excellent hunter
• 2 ways to become a Grand Chief
• Hereditary (unless the father did not feel they
  were worthy of the position)
• Survive in woods for several days without food or
  water. Must make a camp for 2 people and wait to
  see if another person arrives. If this occurs,
  he is capable of being Grand Chief

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Mikmaq Government Pre Contact
Local Council Chief District Council Chief Grand Council Chief
Powers Presides over Council of Elders Presides over local chiefs Presides over Grand Council and local and district councils
Duties Made decisions for local areas, took care of supplies dogs, canoes, hunting. Took care of emergencies, acted as teachers and role models, trained hunters Acted as arbitrator, attend local council meetings, took care of problems among districts, villages Defend territory, took care of orphaned children, help with providing food and supplies for community.
Geographic Constituency Local area, village or community There is one for each of the 7 districts each made up of several villages, communities Responsible for all 7 Mikmaq districts
Leadership Characteristics Male from a prominent family, good character, good hunters Eldest male from a large powerful family, good hunters Exceptional character, excellent hunters, hereditary, survive in woods and create a new camp