Grand Council

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Grand Council

• From Early Times to Modern Days

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Political UnitMikmaq Governance The Changing
authority of the Grand Council

• The Mikmaq 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
  Mikmaq people.

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Political Unit

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

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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. (
  SanteMawiomi..holy gathering )

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Hierarchy of the Grand Council
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There were three leadership positions on the
grand council

• Grand Chief head of state of the Mikmaq
  nation.
• Grand Captain head of the council
• Putus wampum reader, guards the laws of the
  nation and remembers treaties entered into with
  other nations.
• Smagnss soldier or shield bearer, serves as
  protector of the people.

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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 Mikmaq
• Educate non-Indian people about what being
  Mikmaq means.
• Educate Mikmaq people.

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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.

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Members of the Grand Council
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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.

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Responsibilities

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

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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 Mikmaq people
• Grand Council and the position of Grand Chief are
  non-political but they are still viewed with
  great respect in the Mikmaq community