View from the Shore
ALL PHOTOS EXCEPT CANOE-BUILDING COURTESY OF MICHEL GOUDREAU COLLECTION
Can you imagine the view from the shore when Jacques Cartier’s vessel landed in the Gaspesie? Put yourself in our moccasins. What would you do if strangers - dressed differently and speaking a language you never heard before - arrives and claim your house and your land? In our case, at first, we opened our doors curious to understand them.
We didn’t know that at the same time down south, the Spaniards and the Portuguese in their search for gold were killing and destroying entire civilizations. Here though, the arrival of Cartier’s crew, was the beginning of an eventual migration to our lands. We, the Mi’gmaq, call these lands Gespe’gewa’gi, Mi’gma’gi.
When Cartier landed here, we were living according to our laws, worldview, following the cycle of the seasons and evolving at our own rhythm. We were part of a complex political Confederation, composed of five eastern nations. The Mi’gmaq occupied the lands of what is today known as Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, the Gaspe Peninsula and parts of Québec, New Brunswick (north of the St. John watershed), parts of Newfoundland and Labrador, part of Maine and the Islands in Chaleur Bay.
So, when the first Europeans arrived they saw entire civilizations who – as ratified by our stories - have been living and occupying these territories since time immemorial.
When the new settlers started establishing villages, using the resources from the land and waters, there were conflicts, which became wars creating instability for all of us. Pressed to establish stability, the British Crown entered into negotiations with the Mi’gmaq.
Negotiating was nothing new for us but this time the negotiations were not among Indigenous nations, rather, we entered into nation-to-nation negotiations with the French, and English, verbal and written. Eventually, we agreed to, and signed, a series of Treaties with the British called the Treaties of Peace and Friendship.
By agreeing to the Treaties we accepted to give the new settlers certain rights and in exchange our rights were also recognized.
It’s an historical fact that the newcomers from France and England did not give us any rights. How could they? We have always had rights to the land: before, during and following the signing of the Treaties.
And, in our Treaties there is another key component: we never gave up or surrendered any portion of our lands, the waters, or islands.
We uphold the Treaties as sacred because the words of our ancestors were given. At first, these Treaties brought stability. But as time went on the encroachment on our lands continued and the Treaties were not respected. The lack of respect for the foundational agreements between our respective nations, has created a situation of uncertainty in our region.
Today, the Supreme Court and the political forces in Canada call for certainty.
Everybody agrees that in our region, ‘certainty’ will bring more investments and economic development for all. That is why reconciliation is a necessity.
With the signing of the Treaties, our respective nations agreed to respect certain rights and responsibilities.
Yet, as our relationship has evolved, it is clear who has benefited the most from the Treaties. We have been marginalized from fully participating in the economic development of our traditional lands. Why? In part, we did not want to enter into that system because of our worldview and ways of living. But, we have been marginalized, a bounty was put on our scalps, we received infected blankets, we were confined in reserves, forced to residential schools, and have been the target of different assimilation policies. Any of these factors is too much for a society to endure, yet, despite them all we have survived.
This is the view from shores of Gespe’gewa’gi. This history needs to be known so that we can prepare a road based on justice, reconciliation and together defend our common interests. On June 11th, Prime Minister Stephen Harper on behalf of the government of Canada and of all Canadians has apologized for the assimilation policies that caused pain and suffering for First Nations, Inuit and Metis. For many this considered a major step on the road to reconciliation.
There are many reasons why we need to work together. The statistics on poverty, employment and economic development are not favourable in our region for either Mi’gmaq or non-Mi’gmaq. The territory is being exploited, yet the profits and benefits does not stay here and are enjoyed far away.
In the recent past we joined forces in the Bennet campaign in order to protect the air and waters from pollution.
Together, we spoke as one voice in order to include the Chaleur Bay as one of the best bays in the world.
Today, we the Mi’gmaq continue to live throughout all of the Gaspesie with established populations in Gespeg, Gesgapegiag, and Listuguj, Eel River Bar, Pabineau and many other communities. The entire area of Gespe’gewa’gi was named in our language; the lands and waters were well known, used and occupied.
Our ancestors are buried here. So too are your ancestors. The Mi’gmaq have been here forever. You came after, and are staying forever.
Now, we are both looking from the shores of Gespe’gewa’gi.
On Aboriginal Day, take a moment to put yourself in our moccasins and celebrate with us.
More Community
Search Articles
More CE Network Sites & Partners:
