Grand Council (Mi'kmaq)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Grand Council (Santé Mawiómi or Mi'kmawey Mawio'mi) is the normal senior level of government for the Mi'kmaq, based in present-day Canada, until passage of the Indian Act in 1876, requiring elected governments. After the Indian Act, the Grand Council adopted a more spiritual function. The Grand Council was made up of representatives from the seven district councils in Mi'kma'ki and Keptinaq ("captains"), who were the district chiefs. There were also elders, the putús, the women's council, and the Grand Chief.
This article has an unclear citation style. (December 2023) |
Mi'kmaw Grand Council Sante' Mawio'mi Mi'kmawey Mawio'mi | |
---|---|
Leadership | |
Kji Sagamaw (Grand Chief) | |
Putu's | (Wampum keepers) |
(District chiefs) | |
Saqama'sgw | (Women's council) |
Meeting place | |
Potlotek First Nation Mniku, Unama'ki (Nova Scotia, Canada) |
The putús recorded the Mi'kmaq Grand Council meetings by stories and the creation of wampum belts, a kind of visual history, and dealt with the treaties with other native tribes and non-native groups.
The hereditary chiefs of the traditional Grand Council continue to have a role, but the legal authority to govern has been largely transferred by the Indian Act to the elected chiefs and councils.[1]