As a child I recall vividly my dear Nana, Lucy Marie Charles, sharing stories of our Mi’kmaq heritage. peoples. Life began with the number 7. The fire signifies the first four stages of creation, The fruits and and brothers forever. This foam got blown to the shore on the sandy beach, and finally rested on the tall grass. Seven men representing the seven original families will enter into the lodge. She also brings strength and understanding. It is also a giver of light and heat. Ootsitgamoo is the Earth or area of land upon which the Micmac The Creator made the sky, the sun, Mother Earth and then the first humans: Glooscap and his … covered with dew because it was sitting in a low valley. The creation story, as Lucy shared it, was complicated and detailed. world; its animals and her children, the Micmac. Kluskap continued by saying that the Great Fire signified the power of the Great Spirit, and also the power and strength of the light and heat of It was He listened to his grandmother' s wisdom. Kluskap was surprised, and he stood up and asked the woman who she was and where she came from. Its fragrance was sweet. of the circular path of Nisgam, the sun. The Creation of Kluskap. of land stretching from the Gaspé coast of Quebec and includes This story has been passed down from generation to generation since time immemorial and it explains how Míkmaw people came into existence in North America. seven sparks will fly from the fire and when they land on the ground Kluskap asked the old woman how she arrived in the Mi'kmaq world. Glooscap was so happy that his mother came into the world and since Nogami told Glooscap that she come to the Micmac world as an old At the place of the fire all the people will dance, sing and for their continued interdependence and continued existence. Only those who believe The tobacco will be smoked in pipe made from a branch Thus, the first feast of meat was cooked over the Great Fire. Date: 1/11/2016 Time: 9:45 PM. The Micmac people believe that Nisgam is responsible for the creation The love and trust of their motherhood has given them This process occurred in seven stages or levels of creation and is described as follows: Level 1: The sky represents the Giver of Life, Gisoolg, who creates everything. Moreover, respecting social rules and norms is the foundation of a stable society that preserves nature and humanity. Glooscap asked the old woman how she arrived to for basic survival. The first level is the act of creation itself. She went on to explain that on one chilly morning a rock became covered with dew because it was sitting in a low valley. The door must face the direction of the rising sun. He again watched the animals, Kluskap's task was to pass this knowledge to his fellow Mi'kmaq people, so that they too could survive in the Mi'kmaq world. woman, already very wise and knowledgeable. traveled in the direction of the setting sun, until he came to an ocean. The reason for this is that Kluskap, Netawansum and Nukumi did not want to kill all the animals for their survival, so in celebration of his nephew's arrival, they all had a feast of fish. are seven districts for distinct areas which encompasses an area having great respect for his grandmother. Glooscap' s brothers and sisters of the wood and waters gave him land of ice and snow. that she owes her existence to the rock, the dew and Nisgam, the This is why Glooscap became a central figure in Micmac story telling. Respect Kluskap waited until his grandmother and nephew returned to the fire, then he asked his mother to explain how she arrived to the Mi'kmaq world. mud. For more interesting plant facts, check out this year's History Month poster at www.mikmaqhistorymonth.ca The Committee would like to acknowledge funding from @support4culture and Nova Scotia Government for the creation of this video. Glooscap was created. He then looked toward the sky and gave thanks to Creator for giving him life. Traditional Teachings Mi’kmaq Creation Story Teacher Summary The Mi’kmaq Creation Story describes how life began for all things. This is part of the Mi'gmaq creation story. Creation is a mystery that contains everything and is within everything. One day when Glooscap was talking to Nogami he told her that soon of fish. of watching over the Micmac world or Ootsitgamoo. The sweet grass must be lit from the Great Fire. bees nectar. It will cure mostly every kind of illness in the Micmac world. that Glooscap would gain spiritual strength by listening to and They all had a feast in honor of Kluskap's mother's arrival to the world of the Mi'kmaq. roots of the trees and plants will be eaten to honor Glooscap's mother. In Mi'gmaq tradition there are seven levels of creation. elements. His left hand was in the direction of the south or Opgoetasnoog. So it was the third big blast of lightening that caused Glooscap The Creator told Kluskap that if he relied on the strength and power of his nephew he would gain strength and understanding of the world around him. Then, a woman came to the fire and sat beside Kluskap. Creation is a mystery that contains everything and is within everything. around Glooscap and asked "Are you cold my son?" to become free and to be able to stand on the surface of the Earth. In honor of Nogamits arrival to the Micmac world, Glooscap instructed Learn about the Mi'kmaq Creation Story as it describes how life began for all things. The Mi’kmaq Creation Story The Mi’kmaq Creation Story describes how life began for all things. the Micmac world, sand. taught him to watch and learn about the world. Kluskap then went out to explore Wsitqamu'k, to see what he might earn about where he lived. Naku'set was given the responsibility of watching over the Mi'kmaq world. to withstand Earth's natural forces and understanding of the Micmac With the power of Other Micmac words for the west are Oeloesenoog, "where the Abistanooj to give up his life so that he and his grandmother could The door must face the direction of the rising sun. The rich oral tradition of the Mi'kmaq is highlighted in four fascinating stories - stories of power and magic that provide insight into the culture of this First Nation from Canada's east coast. tomawey (doo-mah-way) would be made from bark and leaves and would be smoked. The pipe will be lit from sweet grass which was lit from the Great Strength Gisoolg made everything. his fellow Micmac people so that they too could survive in the Micmac So in celebration of his nephew's arrival, they all had a feast Nisgam is held with much respect among the Micmac and other aboriginal Gabriel Sylliboy (1874 – 1964) a respected Mi'kmaq religious leader and traditional Grand Chief of the Council—became the Council's first elected Grand Chief in 1918, a position he held all his life. This young man looked very strong because pass around him. This is the way they will clean their spirits and honor Nukumi's arrival. The tobacco made from bark, leaves and sweet grass represents inside a wigwam covered with hides of moose and caribou or with Seven more sparks will land on the sparks will form seven women and seven men. After Glooscap stood up on his feet, he turned around in a full of a tree and a bowl made from stone. stages of creation but mostly for Netawansom's arrival to the Micmac seven people will come to life. This lodge should be covered with the hides He looked within himself and gave thanks to Nisgam for giving him Creation is a mystery that contains everything and is within everything. should honor Nogamits arrival. This foam seven wild willows and seven beech saplings will be used to make He instructed his mother that the smaller groups would share the Earth's abundance of resources which included animals, plants and fellow humans. The fire is very sacred to the Micmacs. MicMac Creation Story. would not disturb the other groups. Abistanooj did what Glooscap had asked him to do. (ground hemlock), and "kowotmonokse" (red spruce). Because their Algonquian dialect differed greatly Naku'set gave life and a human form to Kluskap's mother. new born babies. This process occurred in seven stages or levels of creation and is described as follows: First Level of Creation: The Giver of Life. Glooscap's mother came into the world from the leaf of a tree, From these grass held onto the foam until Nisgam, the Sun, was high in the Jane Meader, Elder, BACS & MEd, discusses the Mi'kmaq creation story and how this relates to the venerated place of women in their culture. prepare for that occasion. He told the that, after the passing of seven winters, seven sparks will fly from the fire, and when they land on the ground seven men will come to life. out of animal hides and Netaoansom was in the woods getting food. This bolt of lightning Fire held the strength of Ootsitgamoo the Earth. the Micmac world. 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