2014
Stories and teachings have been passed on verbally
from generation to generation for thousands of years.
Often, storytelling uses impressive mythical characters
to teach children about our culture, history, and world.
Our ancestors sketched symbols of these characters in
the night sky and portrayed them in every day life on
bark, animal hides, shells and stone.
Mi’KMaq
History Month
The Star Husband
• Once, a young woman fell in love with a
young man. Sadly, the man died and
became a star in the heavens, though the
young woman’s love for him remained.
Every night the woman would longingly
gaze up at the sky.
The Star Husband
A Mikmuesu ( wizard ) fell in love with her and
created a storm cloud to block her view of her
star husband. The Putuwatkw Melkiknaq
Wjusunn ( One Who Blows Strong Winds) saw
the wicked doings of the Mi’kmuesu and tried to
clear the sky with his breath. But, the Mi’kmuesu
was too powerful and the young woman could
still not see. Seeing the struggle, the
Kaqtukwowiskw (the thunder goddess) formed a
thunderstorm to open the heavens. Again the
Mi’kmuesu magic was stronger.
The Star Husband
• Finally the Putuwatkw Melkiknaq Wjusunn (The Wind)
and the Kaqtukwowiskw (The Thunder) created The
Great Blue Heron to carry the young woman to her
husband in the sky. The couple now shines brightly for
all to see.
The Kji’saqmaw (Grand Cheif) symbol
contains elements of the governance and
land of Mi’Kma’Ki. The circle reflects the
sun. moon and wigwam. The mounds
represent the seven districts.
Wampum
• The Mi’Kmaq and other members of the Wabanaki
Confederacy recorded our agreements with each
other in wampum belts. Specific patterns of small
shell beads were woven into the belts to create
these records. The Putu’s - a member of the Sante
Mawio’mi (Grand Council )was the one who knew
how to create and to read the messages of the belt.
Today, as in the past, Putu’s gathers, protexts, and
shares the histories of our people.
Mi’Kmaw Hieroglyphics (1)
• While Mi’kmaw is primarily an oral
language hieroglyphics have played a role
in our culture. Hieroglyphic texts are made
of glyphs, or images, most of which
represent part of the word call graphemes.
Graphemes are combined and recombined to create written words and
meanings.
Mi’Kmaw Hieroglyphics (2)
• Some people have thought that the
hieroglyphics were used only to remember
religious prayers and texts, however, this
is not the case. With an inventory of more
than 2700 graphemes, the diversity and
length of messages is unrestricted.
Mi’Kmaw Hieroglyphics (3)
Mi’Kmaw Hieroglyphics (4)
Mi’Kmaw Hieroglyphics (5)
Mi’Kmaq Petroglyphs (1)
• Carvings on Stone – which are called petroglyphs
- can be found throughout Nova Scotia in places
like Kejimkujik National Park, the Bedford Barrens,
and McGowan lake. Petroglyphs are a visual
journal that depict many different aspects of
Mi’Kmaq life including events, people, animals and
legends.
Mi’Kmaq Petroglyphs (2)
• Chief symbols reflect age old governance
strategies, the tall ships record the arrival of
the Europeans and mythical characters
trigger our storytellers. Today they continue
to be important communication tools for
learning about the world around us.
Mi’Kmaq Petroglyphs (3)
Mi’Kmaq Petroglyphs (4)
Mi’Kmaq Petroglyphs (5)
Mi’Kmaq Petroglyphs (6)
Mi’Kmaq Petroglyphs (7)
Mi’Kmaq Petroglyphs (8)
Mi’Kmaq Petroglyphs (9)
Mi’Kmaq Petroglyphs (10)