Mi'kmaq (how to properly pronounce)

This video explains how to properly pronounce "Mi'kmaq"...two different ways.
For hundreds of years it's been improperly spelled and pronounced, and continues to be taught wrong today. I hope this clarifies it for those people that are looking for accurate information on the Mi'kmaq culture. - Wela'lin

[@mpe777]

Thank you for this. Please keep educating people because this country seriously needs it. There is far too much ignorance and lazy folk to attempt to pronounce names & words correctly. Often times when it goes uncorrected it leads to hate & racism.

[@delve_]

Thank you for making this. If I ever meet a Mi'kmaq person, I'll be able to say the name of your people correctly. Much appreciation.

[@kenmott6387]

I'm Cajun, and I've just recently found out about our native roots, when peaceful European settlers found friendship and cooperation with the beautiful Mi'kmaq people, who also became family. I love and celebrate my Cajun roots, and this adds so much to my story. I am honored to have such strong blood within me. My family mispronounces the name, but that ends with me, thanks to this video.

[@MargaretBluMagooPowell]

Much like me as well. Thank you @Mi'kmaw Warrior and @Ken Mott

[@alohaworld]

This is so helpful, I was never sure of the pronunciation and glad I found your video.

[@YolandaTurlough]

Thank you so much for your explanation! I wish this sort of basic knowledge about different native peoples and cultures was more widespread so that people like you don’t have to educate people all the time, but I am deeply grateful for your effort and time.

[@meetmeatthebarricade]

Thank you so much! I host a radio show on a college radio station and I play Indigenous artists. This has helped me so much to properly pronounce artists who are Mi'kmaq on the air!

[@MikmawWarriorBrave]

Glad to have helped out!

[@sbloff]

I am getting ready to read a book about a Mi'kmaq family and had read it as "mee-kamac" in my head. Not far off, but certainly not correct! I am grateful to you and your video for helping set me straight. Your understanding that most people don't mean to be offensive when mispronouncing it and your patient education speaks to your character. Much respect. 😊

[@vernerdrost]

Thank you for posting this! Very helpful to those of us who desire to respect your nation and history by at least pronouncing the name of your people correctly.

[@MikmawWarriorBrave]

Thank you for the respect and acknowledgement of my people!!

[@lyinarbaeldeth2456]

I grew up being taught the wrong pronounciation. Thank you for providing guidance on how to say it properly!

[@MikmawWarriorBrave]

My pleasure...thanks for the feedback...makes me feel good knowing that I'm making a difference

[@MxRavenJay]

Growing up I was lead to believe it was pronounced Micmac. It wasn't until I was in my thirties that I discovered it wasn't even spelled that way. Spent years beyond that wanting to know how to even say and spell it correctly. It was frustrating for me not knowing. Thank you. The blood is very thin in me, but I have so much respect and love for it. Again, thank you for setting it straight for me. Be safe and take care.

[@MikmawWarriorBrave]

You are welcome. It's a learning process for us all. Glad I could help

[@ximenanunezmora6005]

Thanks! I'm doing a short documentary on indigenous peoples of Canada for school and I wanted to pronounce it properly

[@SkillR6]

same

[@greghebert6389]

Thank you brother, my grandma is Mi’Kmaq, so proud of my culture!

[@DeerIsleAdult_CommunityEd]

I'm a teacher who is deeply grateful for this video. Thanks for creating content that helps educators improve how and what we teach. My students found you accessible and engaging- short video, large impact.

[@MikmawWarriorBrave]

I'm glad it helped 🙂

[@johnpowell1187]

Thank you! My grandfather was 100% Mik Kmart I appreciate the information and would encourage more!

[@TREEHUGGAH1]

thank you for sharing your knowledge . MUCH RESPECT

[@YeshuaSaves5500]

Lived a good chunk of my life in Eskasoni and the rest, obviously, off reserve and now I'm just trying to learn more about my people. Part of me wishes my father spent more time teaching me these things but it is what it is. Thanks for doing what you do. I'll definitely sub and check out the rest of your stuff. God bless.

[@MikmawWarriorBrave]

Don't be too hard on your dad for not teaching you about the culture. It was taken from us and our elders were taught it was bad. It wasn't their fault. Fortunately, this is a good time to be L'nu...there is lots of learning materials available now. The best knowledge is gained from sitting down for a cup of tea with an elder that holds traditional knowledge. Always take them a gift of appreciation...they usually like sweets...lol

[@TheDroneKing]

Thanks for sharing!! I just found out the other day my grandma was Mi'kmaq! 😎 Excited to learn more.

[@HouseOfPagesAndPaints]

This was so helpful! Thank you. Much of the internet was maddeningly unhelpful. Thank you!!

[@msocean9919]

Found out recently I am from Mi'kmaq roots; thank you for this video😊

[@mother.mantis]

Thank you for this! I recently learned about who my ancestors are and it's been an uphill battle finding good information.

[@MikmawWarriorBrave]

You are very welcome

[@bollywoodpractice]

Thank you! I wish when institutions like MUN did territorial acknowledgments they would make a link to a speaker. I'm tired of "window dressing" when it comes to decolonizing.

[@bearchaser67]

thank you! we recently moved to NS and appreciate learning the proper pronunciation.

[@jaev8414]

Your description of how to pronounce it really helped me with saying it! Thank you for making this :)

[@MikmawWarriorBrave]

You are very welcome 🙂

[@naomicooley8182]

As an educator in a public school this was so helpful! Thank-you!

[@MikmawWarriorBrave]

You are more than welcome!

[@tinag2268]

Thank you! Very helpful!

[@magikdust2095]

I am part Mi'kmaq, although my dad was the last to be able to get his status. All my life I was taught that it was pronounced "Mic Mak", and I have only recently found out that not only is that the wrong pronunciation, but that pronouncing it that way is also offensive. My parents are from P.E.I., but I was born in B.C., so there wasn't really anyone around here to tell me that I was taught the wrong way to say it. However, recently the Mi'kmaq people were on the news because of fishing issues, and that was the first time I had heard it pronounced properly. My dad didn't teach us anything about that culture, and I think that was because no one taught him about it. I think it is sad that I'm part Mi'kmaq, but know very little about the culture.

[@MikmawWarriorBrave]

It's never too late to learn.

[@magikdust2095]

@@MikmawWarriorBrave I know it's never too late to learn, but I do wish we lived closer to the Mi'kmaq people, because it would be nicer to learn about it from actual people, rather than just reading about them online.

[@MikmawWarriorBrave]

@@magikdust2095 sounds like you need to move back to Mi'kma'ki

[@coryskizm]

@@magikdust2095 There are plenty of Mi'kmaw along the Northeast, most unrecognized.

[@MikmawWarriorBrave]

@@coryskizm there are Mi'kmaq as far south as Boston, for sure....and lots in Maine...and they are recognized as indigenous by the US government...and they also have Mi'kmaq rights when they enter Mi'kma'ki...

[@yannickgrignon2473]

This is super helpful, thanks! I'm working on a project about Atlantic Canada, and I wanted to be sure I was pronouncing Mi'kmaq correctly

[@showyoursparkle7881]

I hope they changed the name of the "mic mac mall" that used to be in Dartmouth i haven't been home in decades. Wela'lin keep it up.

[@shannoncme9830]

Thank-you do much! Learned that my 3x great grandparents were both full Mi’kmaq & I have been trying to find out how to properly pronounce :) I am now following your channel 🧡

[@barbclark5047]

Thank you, this is very helpful.

[@MikmawWarriorBrave]

My pleasure 🙏🏾

[@nathanswartz9147]

Thank you for this, we are new to the area and were wondering. Great video!

[@glennhurd9823]

Thank you for sharing this!

[@MikmawWarriorBrave]

You are very welcome 😊

[@sunmoonstarrays]

Mee g-mahk Meeg-mah Love this 🌹

[@BelongsToChrist777]

Thank you Brother 💜💜💜

[@tabethalong466]

Thanks I'm from Caribou They always said it that way... Thanks to a sideways search I stand corrected.. Thank you Sir

[@MikmawWarriorBrave]

NFLD?

[@tabethalong466]

Huh? LoL

[@MikmawWarriorBrave]

@@tabethalong466 I guess not...I thought you meant Qalipu First Nation...which is in Newfoundland...Qalipu is Mi'kmaq word for Caribou

[@tabethalong466]

Ahh. That makes sense. I'm from Caribou ME Growing up my grandmother used to tell me we are part Mi'kmaq.. don't know what % though

[@MikmawWarriorBrave]

@@tabethalong466 I have family in Maine and NE actually, so I'm not surprised. Mi'kma'ki (the land of the Mi'kmaq) extended down past Boston actually. Our people ended up divided when borders were put in place during colonization. I consider Maine as part of Mi'kma'ki...its part of the Wabanaki confederacy for sure, which includes Mi'kmaq, Abenaki, Passamaquoddi, and Penobscot. We are the "People of the dawn"

[@ashrowan2143]

Thank you for this video. I was looking to correct the pronunciation of the word for someone and while I knew the way they were sayin it was definitely wrong I was not 100% certain that the way I had been taught to say it was correct and I was right the way I was taught to say it is far closer to correct but is still not fully accurate

[@MikmawWarriorBrave]

You are very welcome. It's good to see people looking to use the language properly. I'm glad to have helped 🙂

[@redneckgirl3326]

Thank you. I speak both Lakota and Apsaalooke, but don't know much of the language of my own people, Mi'kmaq.

[@MikmawWarriorBrave]

You are welcome. It's my pleasure. There is a FB group called "Mi'kmaw Motherese" you should join...there are lessons that are great for beginners that want to learn the language. It's focused towards kids, but many adults are learning on it. Many more adults than kids actually

[@redneckgirl3326]

@@MikmawWarriorBrave Thanks. I'll check it out.

[@pauldrinan]

Thank you for sharing and educating us.

[@MikmawWarriorBrave]

My pleasure 🙏🏾

[@shanb4766]

Thank you very much! I was pronouncing this beautiful word incorrectly because I was reading phonetically. I am sorry!!!

[@brendaobrien5326]

Thank you!

[@MikmawWarriorBrave]

You are welcome!

[@gjfleming009]

Thank you for sharing this

[@maureencapper5487]

Thank you ❤

[@MikmawWarriorBrave]

You are very welcome ❤

[@iannewton3820]

Thank you.

[@MikmawWarriorBrave]

You are very welcome

[@melgarguitars]

Thank you

[@MikmawWarriorBrave]

Your welcome

[@massivedamagegaming9004]

Thank you for this. I'm Mi'kmaw, but my family moved to Boston a long time ago, and I was taught it was "MicMac". I really would like to get into touch with my ancestral roots but I'm honestly afraid to try because I'm 30 years old and I'm afraid I'll come across as just some white dude claiming to be mi'kmaw because he's got a Mi'kmaw grandfather.

[@MikmawWarriorBrave]

So, I'm guessing you don't have status? I'm not a fan of the blood quantum thing. I'm 6(1) status (full) and my wife is non-indigenous...my kids are 6(2) status (½) and that means that they have to have a child with another status Indian in order for my grandchildren to be registered as a Status Indian under the Indian Act. My youngest son had two daughters with a non-status Blackfoot woman so my grandchildren don't have status. The thing is, they are being raised in the culture. And that is the difference. If you dont have a status, that doesnt make you non-indigenous...if you don't have a status because you dont have the blood quantum (like my grandchildren) and haven't been raised in the culture, or haven't suffered from the intergenerational trauma caused by colonization or the residential school system (unlike my grandchildren) then you shouldn't claim to be indigenous...you should claim first nation ancestry..because your grandfather probably did have status and was a victim of intergenerational trauma. I hope that clarifies the "white" thing. Regardless of your situation, you should trace your mi'kmaw roots. Do you know where your family lived before moving? I actually have family in Boston myself

[@massivedamagegaming9004]

@@MikmawWarriorBrave I don't have status, yeah. My grandfather came to the USA illegally from Canada and had told his children (my mother and aunts / uncles) that he was "A little Onondaga" when they asked him about his past, but it was a pretty obvious lie. He, for whatever reason, wanted to put his past in Canada far, far behind him and almost never spoke about his past. From what I was told growing up, they only got him to admit what tribe he was from when he was dying of cancer - He passed away about three years before I was born. My entire life I've had these burning questions that I wish I could have asked him, that he was unwilling to answer while alive, and I wish I could have gotten answers from him, like I want to know why he lied about what tribe he was from, why he came to the USA, why he would (almost) never talk about his life before he came to the USA and why he cut off all contact with his family in Canada, you know? From what I understand he was from Nova Scotia, but we aren't certain where - Although my mother thinks he was from Cape Breton Island, because of his accent. All we really know for certain is that his name was Donald Muise, but beyond that we don't know anything. I'm sorry, I hope I did not offend you. I don't know if I've experienced intergenerational trauma, but my family had been harassed for not being white when we lived in Southie and we ended up moving out to western Massachusetts because of it, but that could just be because Southie is a racist place. If I offended you I'm very, very sorry. That wasn't my intention and I hope you'll forgive me for it. Also I'm sorry for the dramatic family story that, as I write it, sounds like I'm copying from some dramatic mystery movie. I have autism and a couple other learning disabilities so I'm not the smartest sometimes.

[@MikmawWarriorBrave]

@massivedamagegaming9004 you did not offend me in any way at all...I'm sorry if it seemed as if I did. This is a pretty common topic actually. My great grand parents on my mothers side fled Canada because of centralization and residential schools taking children. They hid in the woods of Maine. It never worked because the authorities caught them after about 10 years of them living in the woods, and shipped them back to Nova Scotia. That could have been your grandfather's reason too. Maybe he wanted to save your family from all that stuff too. It may not have had the best outcome in the long run, but if that is what he was trying to do, ya gotta respect it for what it is. Our people have been lost for a very long time. I hear these stories regularly.

[@hezebelbeing]

I was shocked watching things on the recent Buffy Sainte Marie travesty over the last week and in a recent interview with her, if not the final statement by her, can't remember, she out and out said, MICKMACK. All the blood ran from my head, I swear I almost fainted, that was all I needed and I didn't have to watch anything else. ALL THESE YEARS, TOURS, EVENTS? Really? It truly sounded like my grandfather mispronouncing EYETALIAN because he's NOT ITALIAN. ew. If you don't want this stuff here, I understand...just wanted to thank you for educating people.

[@MikmawWarriorBrave]

I'm on same page as you. Buffy was a hero for most First Nations people...my family and myself included. It was like a slap in the face for what she did, and then to hear her use the term mic mac was like another slap in the face to our people..

[@hezebelbeing]

@@MikmawWarriorBrave it Yup. A gut-punch to be sure. Thanks for being cool about me bringing it up here.

[@dp803dp]

Bless Up fam 🏹🌽🪶

[@linneascameraroll]

thank you for this !!

[@MikmawWarriorBrave]

You are welcome!

[@Mr04hayabusa]

So true

[@gjigaqaquj]

And they still wont change the name of micmac mall

[@MikmawWarriorBrave]

Yeah...it's frustrating...but one day the name will be changed

[@in2weeed]

Take care of those who cannot for themselves help the elderly help those that are ignorant to become understanding ... somehow the earth is our mother but when we stand up for her we become activists but those that harm her with the means they do how is it theyre not terrorists

[@in2weeed]

sorry bro makes for many in depth thoughts

[@MikmawWarriorBrave]

I like this...your insight is appreciated...Wela'lin

[@sunmoonstarrays]

Is there an official grand council still today? And is everyone still catholic?

[@MikmawWarriorBrave]

There is still a grand council. I can't speak for them though when it comes to their beliefs. I know many Mi'kmaw people that have denounced Christianity since the discovery of the residential school graves. Many still cling to the church though. I was one that decided not to follow Christianity...but I have family that still practice catholicism. I think its up to the individual to decide what is right for them

[@sunmoonstarrays]

@@MikmawWarriorBrave would love to learn more about them and connect. guess maybe everyone’s finding out connecting to their ancestors nowadays. Marie A. & Henri M. are my 14th great grandparents 🌹- we down south still stayed catholic that’s why I asked And I just learned about the concordat - that’s a big thing and should be heard for sure. It means the world. Especially as far as understanding the spiritual meaning behind it- less about the institution of the church

[@sunmoonstarrays]

@@MikmawWarriorBrave glad we connected 🌹

[@MikmawWarriorBrave]

@@sunmoonstarrays the concordat of 1610 was a peace treaty agreement between the Vatican and the Mi'kmaq...however, the horrific manner in which the Mi'kmaw children were treated by the priests and nuns in the Crown appointed Catholic Residential Schools broke that treaty. The Church still hasn't apologized for the many thousands of children that were abused, physically, emotionally, and sexually. The pope recently apologized for the actions of the individual but left out the churches role. This is why I turned away from the Church.

[@sunmoonstarrays]

@@MikmawWarriorBrave yes- but what could happen is that all of those valuable ancient Catholic Church buildings should be gifted to the Mi’Kmaw people especially Canada and everywhere in America they could be turned into homes or sacred sites anyway they choose to use them as constellations redress gifts Something must be done Otherwise all those churches they will just get money from them and collect it and just tear them down Not sure if there are any buildings that were used specifically in Canada by the Chief? That would be the first place to start Yes horrible - sad because it wasn’t the indigenous Catholics- what I mean is that those that baptized the Chief weren’t the same that eventually came which where eventually known as the Jesuits they were Protestants usurpers under the guise of the name Catholics and did horrible things and still do under the title catholic giving Catholics bad names Protestants infiltrated TheChurch started with the fall of France when the last royal king was killed and Napoleon b. created that revolution he wasn’t a good French person he and the english destroyed all religions and religious peoples and this included them infiltrating churches and politics Under names the took over The original people were I believe Dutch catholic priests not Jesuits We have to really look deep into what was done and why and what the motive was - it was to destroy the moral of a strong people so they could take over the American nation from the First Nation and from the French who were friends here first The English and Jesuits had the Muslims are brothers against us unfortunately This is written in scriptures They have no moral compass so the deeds of their ancestors are lawlessness and corruption and they do not respect children women especially because they do not love their mother because of who their mother was in scripture in relation to who the free children mother was they resent their own mother It’s wild to say all this but it’s historical and scriptural We can’t loose sight of our religion nor culture nor faith that was laid down from our foundations from the ancestors because some people came along and perverted the truth That’s what they want to happen for us to assimilate into the abyss of anything goes culture with no roots to a great strength tree branch The Protestants free Mason priests popes pastors look that up that infiltrated the churches and had a plan to destroy the religion and people hopefully it’s ok I shared this. Again glad we connected- also glad I found your channel. I added your video to my blog. To let everyone know the correct pronunciation of the name 🥰 - hope that’s ok too. it’s a culture education site

[@Nick-ct9ob]

I was told that it was Mi-ga maw

[@MikmawWarriorBrave]

Mi'kmaw is the singular version of Mi'kmaq and is pronounced Mee-ga-mew I am a Mi'kmaw man...and a member of the Mi'kmaq Nation

[@StitchGV]

Oh… I’ve been insulting my best friend for years and she’s been too polite to say anything! 😬😖 MEEG-a-makh. Not “mick-Mack”. Thank you! 💙

[@MikmawWarriorBrave]

Sometimes our own people refer to us as Mic Mac...especially the older generation...because it was what we were called for such a long time. It's more common to happen with people that don't speak the language though. So she may not even be aware of the proper pronunciation.

[@amygloade8774]

You might know me, I am Kyle gloades daughter

[@MikmawWarriorBrave]

I think I know your Dad 🙂

[@amygloade8774]

My mom is AMY GLOADE

[@amygloade8774]

@MikmawWarriorBrave

[@producedbycoywolf]

THEY MADE A WHOLE MIC MAC MALL AND EVERYTHING !!! Crazy how they REALLY tried wiping our language ..

[@in2weeed]

L'nu 🤘

[@MikmawWarriorBrave]

From one L'nu to another ✊🏾

[@thecitizen49]

Thank you. My heart goes out to all native people around the world who were oppressed, impoverished, enslaved and killed by the white man for the last 500 years. Peace be with you all.

[@ProdConMon]

I think it is because the Scottish kings came down n made friends with us that's why they call it mic mac (Macdonald) was said that the scots landed in 1010 AD so when they call you a mac it is royaltie, , we left Scotland because of jacobtism, the accadians left France because of their refusal to take an unqualified oath of allegiance to the British crown. Google the definition of mac, and that is what the government thinks of us

[@ballsackboy420]

Mic mac 😂😂😂😂

[@glennhughes2664]

Its me Glenn Hughes from that Gordons channel, I was the " blunt ' one, He's finally made his video private so I couldn't talk crap about COMPLETE LACK OF GUITAR SKILLS. I just was wondering if you got blocked from the channel ? He started trying to be " Im innocent crap" so I said a few things & now its a private video on my end. What a Flucking clunt. hahaha . just wondered if he blocked you as I said .

[@MikmawWarriorBrave]

It appears so...I can't find him now...lol

[@coryskizm]

The Indians were and are us not you, yall are considered Native American. Its not offensive on this side my family is also Mi'kmaq.

[@MikmawWarriorBrave]

Not sure what you are saying...can you elaborate? Are you from India? And are you part Mi'kmaq?

[@MikmawWarriorBrave]

And actually we are not called Native American here in Canada. We are First Nations or Indigenous... I'd still like for you to elaborate on your comment. I was just going through the comments to see if I had missed any, and I see you never replied. I love learning from others

[@mbm460ns5]

How do you say waste tax payers money in mikmaq

[@MikmawWarriorBrave]

First Nations people pay taxes just like everyone else, unless they work on reserve, and most of us don't. There just isn't enough jobs in our communities, so the majority of community members work off reserve. We also get tax free gas and cigarettes...only when we purchase them on reserve. More importantly, tax payer money doesn't even go towards First Nations funding. That money comes from the Indian Trust Fund that has been in place since the 1800s. The money in the Trust is from the sales of the resources that are sourced from our land and waters...unceded indigenous territory that was never paid for by the Canadian Government. This information is easy to access.. just Google, "Do First Nations people pay taxes?" And, "Canadian Federal Indian Trust Fund" I think my inherent native rights are what upsets most uneducated people, but the truth is, all i have that you don't is hunting and fishing rights. I can fish and hunt 365 days per year...and I don't...but I could if I wanted to. That's the only thing I have that you don't (right now...we are fighting for more rights...and we will win). My children can apply for post educational funding, but that money comes from the Indian Trust Fund. You really need to let go of the anger, and learn to enjoy the privileges you have. And stop holding resentment towards me and my people. You don't even know me, but you are on here making ignorant comments. It's disrespectful and pathetic, to be honest. Always remember that you are still a visitor on this land, and we are still your hosts. We both need to exercise the responsibility and respect that goes with each of our roles. Wela'lin Nitap (Thank you my friend) 🙏🏾❤

[@mbm460ns5]

@@MikmawWarriorBrave there is many things wrong with what you said lol.

[@MikmawWarriorBrave]

@@mbm460ns5 what would those "many things wrong" be? Maybe I can explain it in better detail so you can understand. Knowledge is power and you get it with education...and I don't mind educating you. This isn't the first time I had to bring people up to speed...it's not my first rodeo...lol

[@mbm460ns5]

@@MikmawWarriorBrave I don't need to be educated I've lived long enough to be sick and tired entitled attitude of the mikmaq. You can't ask for hand outs on a regular basis and call us guests and you the host it's just idiotic.

[@MikmawWarriorBrave]

@@mbm460ns5 keep paying your taxes...and remember who you really work for 😉

[@chelsiecrouse9616]

Crazy i didnt know the proper pronunciation and i am mi’kmaq thnx for teaching im just reconnecting so i realy appreciate this fuck residential schools took everything from my family line but thnx to people like u sharing im able to honour my ancestors and learn the culture they died trying to keep in my family 😪🧡 🪶🕊

[@MikmawWarriorBrave]

You are welcome. I'm glad to help

[@plutoloco2378]

Mik mac Donalds. Lol

[@MikmawWarriorBrave]

I'll have a Mik Moose Burger please 😀

[@nezziethomas4621]

Very helpful, thanks so much!

[@sweetthunderoflove1]

Thank you

[@MikmawWarriorBrave]

My pleasure