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Grand Council

Grand Council. From Early Times to Modern Days. Governance: The Changing authority of the Grand Council. The Mi’kmaq Grand council was the sole form of government before contact with the Europeans.

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Grand Council

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  1. Grand Council From Early Times to Modern Days

  2. Governance: The Changing authority of the Grand Council • The Mi’kmaq Grand council was the sole form of government before contact with the Europeans. • Changes in the role of the Grand Council are the result of efforts of the British Crown and federal government to impose its system upon Mi’kmaq people.

  3. Grand Council • The Grand Council is the traditional aboriginal government of the Mi’kmaq nation. • It draws it membership from all parts of Mi’kmaq territory • Has both political and spiritual authority and continues to be the sovereign government of the Mi’kmaq today. • It unites the seven districts of Mi’kma’ki, and entered into treaties with England and the Concordat of 1610 with the Pope.

  4. Political Unit • There are local chiefs, selected according to clans living within each district, who in turn elect a captain or district chief, to represent the entire district at the Grand Council

  5. Hierarchy of the Grand Council

  6. There were three leadership positions on the grand council: • Grand Chief – head of state of the Mi’kmaq nation. • Grand Captain – head of the council • Wampum readers (Putu’s)- guards the laws of the nation and remembers treaties entered into with other nations. • Soldier or Shield bearer (Smagn’ss) - serves as protector of the people.

  7. The role of the Grand Council today consists of the following • Ensure culture and language is maintained and preserved • Form a strong voice on behalf of the Mi’kmaq • Educate non-aboriginals people about what being Mi’kmaq means. • Educate Mi’kmaq people.

  8. The Modern Grand Council • The Indian Act and the introduction of the elected chief and council, the role of the Grand Council has changed. • Grand council now focuses on spiritual needs of community. • Meets 2-3 times a year, usually around religious holidays.

  9. Captains • The captains who serve under the grand chief are selected for life. • New captain occurs when a captain dies or there is a need for additional captains. • The selection process involves the grand chief, the local priest and other concerned individuals.

  10. Responsibilities • Offering Mi’kmaq prayers to the sick and dying • assisting a bereaved family with the funeral arrangements. • Captains duties vary depending on the need of their reserve.

  11. Jurisdiction • The Grand Council also works with such groups as Micmac Association for Cultural Studies (MACS) and the Union of Nova Scotia Indians to address cultural issues in the community • The Grand Chief often presides as honorary chairperson at meetings and may travel outside of the province as a spiritual or cultural representative for the Mi’kmaq people • Grand Council and the position of Grand Chief are non-political but they are still viewed with great respect in the Mi’kmaq community

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