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What does saqamaw mean?
"Saqamaw" is a term used by some Indigenous peoples in Canada to refer to a leader or chief in Mi'kmaq and Maliseet communities. It carries a significant cultural and traditional weight within these communities.
Was the government of mikmaq democratic?
Democracy within our Nation, in the modern sense, started in 1918 when Kji Saqamaw (Grand Chief) Gabriel Sylliboy who was the last traditional Saqamaw became the first elected Grand Chief at a ceremony in Chapel Island thus becoming the First "Democratic" Chief. Before that, a Kji Saqamaw or a District Saqamaw, had to possess many great qualities that benefited the tribe and it was the elders, especially the elderly grandmothers (Clan Mothers) that had the final decision on how and who would finally become the District Chiefs and Grand Chief. Quite Contrary to the democratic ways which did not even permit the women to vote til more recently and women who married out of the tribe lost their status. But the democratic system works much differently today than in the old ways which were transparent and open. In some Districts Local Saqamaw can be very secretive and theie positions potentially abused by those with poor leadership skills with the end result in corruption, lies, confusion, division vs. consensus, and the list goes on.We were a Matriarch Society and led by the wisdom of the elders who had the highest respect from all community members. The introduction of democracy in some areas has evolved into a chaotic political blunder that is the root of many problems in our Nation today. Through democracy, the youths of today out vote the elders as if they no longer have a voice in our community. The roots between the elders and youths continue to be further disconnected and as a result we continue to get poor leadership. The youths have been easily corrupted, tempted, bought off and often make poor choices through the democratic process. They think short term rather than for the current and future generations and lack the life experience and knowledge to make the best choice that would best benefit our communities.
What is the role of men and women in Penobscot tribes?
Mi'kmaq (meaning: Allies) society is patriarchal meaning male dominated. Tribes are bound together through a common system of patrilineal clans. Authority was often designated by the size of a mans family and it was not uncommom for a tribal elder to have several wives and many children. The eldest males of this band/tribe would hold power and young males would not reach "manhood" until the killing of their first moose. Important tribal decisions, such as the assignment of hunting and fishing territories or matters of treaty and war, were made at the district level by each tribes elder males at seasonal meetings called Grand Council. Speakers for each group were called saqamaw and spoke for each individual tribe or group.
