Mi'kmaq Art
The Mi'kmaq crafted items to trade with the Europeans in the 1600s. They traded mainly woven baskets from maple, poplar and ash trees. However, the Mi'kmaq also created art, not just for trading. They dipped porcupine quills into paints to create mosiacs and placed it into birchbark. Then the birchbark was placed on chair seat covers or wooden boxes. But as foreigners introduced glass beads, the Mi'kmaqs used them to make beaded tea-cozies, purses, and vests. Still, the orgins live on. Dolls were made and represented a Mi'kmaq in Mi'kmaq clothing. Miniature canoes and toyies were made, for children.
Mi'kmaq Art Object
Music and Dance
The drum represented the center of life. The Mi'kmaqs also chanted and sang. Before the drum could be played, they had to bless the drum towards the east because of the eagle had guided the people. Then the drum was blessed to the south, because the grandmothers and mothers had given life. Next was to the west for the spirits and then it was to the north, for the White Bear had given strength and bravery. One song is called the Honour Song, where the people made human and animal noises to show how the eagle had saved the Mi'kmaqs. Dancing was another way to represent stories. For example, when there was a successful hunt, they showed a dance about the hunt trip. The Sun Dance was performed to help the sick people and the dancers were not allowed to drink water for several days. They also payed tribute to the South, North, East, West, sun and earth.
Mi'kmaq Dance
Social Organization
There were three categories: the kinap, puoins, and the saqamaws. A kinap had a brilliant strength or skill and solved conflicts. They lead raids against neighbours that caused havoc in the area. Puoins were shaman like and carried around bones, pebbles and carved figures to help them get in touch with the invisible world. They also knew where the animals and the fish were located and interpreted the weather. Puoins could cure illness and remedy diseases. They had the power to sense other people's inner power. Kinaps and puoins were given gifts and respect in their communities. But most of all, the saqamaws were the most important; they were also known as the chiefs. These men were elites at hunting and fishing. The saqamaws were resembled with all the good personalities and gave advices to the people. They all respected the saqamaw like a chief. Some parents sent their children to the saqamaws, to be educated and so they could help their own families later on. The Grand Council of Mi'kmaq had meetings between the seven district chiefs. Important decisions were made.