Nujio'qoniik - Bay St. George

Kwe`

After decades of living in denial, in the 1970s residents of St George's Bay and the Port au Port Peninsula who are of strong Mi'kmaq blood lines had their aboriginal connections certified. Today, residents are members of local native bands. I , for one, am proud to be Mi'kmaq. A descendant of a proud people who have suffered a great injustice by the Europeans invaders and their descendants. I prefer to look ahead at a re-immergence of our culture connection. A new appreciation of who we are and where we came from. Our future is built by the cooperation, respect and interaction of all those who live on our ancestoral lands. Our sucess will be built upon this.

Why are we called Benoit First Nation:

Benoit First Nation is named after Francois Benoit who married Anne L'Official. They are the founding parents for most of the people who have gotten Indian Status in Western Newfoundland. It is a tribute to his legacy. Anne L'Official was the daughter of Henri L'Offical and Isabelle Chegeau.

What We Are Called:

As Míkmaq we called ourselves L'nu'k (the people). Mi'kmaq is plural while Mi'kmaw is singular, but over the years, Micmac had become the more commonly used name. A result of our first encounter with Europeans who started the misunderstanding. Other variations are Mííqmaq, Mííkmaq, and Mi'mkaq. Their name comes from the word: nikmaq from their own language meaning "my kin-friends or allies." Other names used for Micmac were: Ktaqmkuk Mi'kmaq, Cape Sable Indians, Gaspesian (Gaspesien, Micmac of Gaspéé), Matueswiskitchinuuk (Malecite "Porcupine Indians"), Shonack (Beothuk "Red Indians"), Souriquois (French), and Tarrateen (British).

I am not an Indian:

I would like to point out that we are not Indians nor are we discendants of the peoples of India. This was a European slang that came from merchants looking for a shorter route to India. The accidently "Discovered" continents of America were occupied by a great federation of many aboriginal peoples who lived in peace and harmony, with each other before the invasion of the Europeans. Our people had great respect for the land and the animals. There was a natural balance and interaction that existed. Are we indigenous, Yes!

Mi'kmaq Tongue:

Our language is called L'nui'sin but since we are known as the Mi'kmaq, a slang on the phrase "my friends" that was a misunderstanding when the French came ....... we mostly call our language - Míkmawísimk - "Language of the Mi'kmaq". The Mi'kmaq Language is Algonquian, distinct from the Abenaki to the South and with some traits associated with the languages of the Montagnais and Cree in Quebec. (Check out the link to the Mi'kmaq On-line dictionary). Throughout the Mikmaq territories he Mi'kmaq language is still spoken at home in most communities and use either English or French as their second language. Overall though, we have been on the brink of losing the our native language and it is being revitalized and taught to all who want to enrich their lives. On the Port au Port Peninsula, in Newfoundland (Ktaqmkuk ) french was often the first language rather than English.

Sub-Tribes:

The Mi'kmaq are divided into a number of Sub-Tribes based on territory. The Mi'kmaq homeland (Mi'kma'ki) was traditionally divided into seven hunting districts, each with its own chief. In 1860 the Mi'kmaq added another district, Ktaqmkuk, for a total of eight. Ktaqmkuk (Tagamgoog) refers to Western Newfoundland. See Mi'kmaq History.

(Nujio'qoniik) Bay St. George Mi'kmaq Bands:

Other Ktaqmkuk (Newfoundland) Mi'kmaq communities and regions:

Miawputek (Conne River) - Samiajij Miawpukek
(Nujio'qoniik) Bay St. George
(Payun Aqq Payunji'j) Port au Port Peninsula

Other Ktaqmkuk organizations

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Created January 27, 2002

Wantaqo'ti, (peace)