GLOSSARY - MI'GMAQ TO ENGLISH

Angugamgewe’l   ~   Mi’gmaq treaties.   Angugamgewe’l, translated, means: “adding to our relations.  Alternatively, treaties are referred to as: ‘Gisagnutmaqann or Gisiagnutmatimgewe’l.’ These terms, translated, mean: “what we have talked about and agreed to.”

Apajigisagutultimg  ~   Reconciliation. This is one of the seven principles used by the Mgnigng (tripartite negotiators) in the Gespe’gewa’gi claims process and negotiations. In this context, apajigisagutultimg entails: “Building relationships with us, as Mi’gmaq, will enhance communication [and] bring harmony, healing, and societal well-being.” 

 

Epegwitg aq Pigtug   ~  One of the seven districts of Mi’gma’gi.

 

Esgenoopetitj  ~   Burnt Church First Nation. One of the eight communities making up the Seventh District of Gespe’gewa’gi, Mi’gma’gi. (‘Sgnuoptijg – Listuguj Orthography) 

 

Esge’gewa’gi    ~  One of the seven districts of Mi’gma’gi

 

Ge’goapsgog ~ Pabineau First Nation. Also referred to in Mi’gmaw as Oinpegitjoig. One of the eight communities making up the Seventh District of Gespe’gewa’gi, Mi’gma’gi. (Ge’gwapsgug – Listuguj Orthography)

 

Gepmite’taqan   ~  Respect.  This is one of the seven guiding principles for the Gespe’gewa’gi claims process and negotiations, as agreed upon by the Mgnigng (tripartite negotiators). In this context, gepmite’taqan entails: “Respect is a shared value among us. Understanding our values, knowledge, culture, and traditional practice can promote respect for us as a Nation. We have a special relationship with the territory. We have an interest in spiritual and cultural sites [and] our ceremonial objects (past and today).”

Gesgapegiag   ~   Gesgapegiag First Nation. One of the eight communities making up the Seventh District of Gespe’gewa’gi, Mi’gma’gi. Gesgapegiag is one of the three Mi’gmaq communities, located in Québec, which form the Mi’gmawei Mawiomi.

 

Gespe’gewa’gi   ~   One of the seven districts of Mi’gma’gi. Translated means ‘last acquired land.’

 

Gespe’gewa’gigewei Saqamawuti Proclamation  ~  Title of the Proclamation of the Gespe’gewa’gi Chiefs (Elected Chiefs and Grand Council). The Mi’gmawei Mawiomi issued this proclamation in 2005. 

 

Gespe’gewa’gigwei Sagamawuti  ~   Chiefs’ Council (Elected Chiefs and Grand Council) of the Seventh District of Mi’gma’gi.

 

Gespeg   ~   Nation Micmac de Gespeg. This is one of the eight communities making up the Seventh District of Gespe’gewa’gi, Mi’gma’gi. Gespeg is one of the three Mi’gmaq communities, located in Québec, which form the Mi’gmawei Mawiomi.

 

Gespugwitg   ~   One of the seven districts of Mi’gma’gi

 

Gigto’qi Niqan’pugultijig   ~   Circle of Leaders. The Gigto’qi Niqan’pugultijig is a forum for exchange, reflection, and dialogue among the three parties. This circle is comprised of the elected chiefs (or their nominees) of the Mi’gmawei Mawiomi, a nominee of the Minister for Indian Affairs and Northern Development (Canada), and a nominee of the Ministre responsable des Affaires intergouvernementales canadiennes, des Affaires autochtones, de la Francophonie canadienne, de la Réforme des institutions démocratiques et de l’Accès à l’information (Québec).

 

Gisiagnutmatimgewe’l   ~   What we have agreed upon in the treaty process

 

Gisigumimajuinu’g  ~ (Alternative: Gisigu’g)  Elders

 

Gisu’lg   ~  The Creator. Also, Mestigisiteget, which means ‘creator of all.’

 

Listuguj   ~   Listuguj First Nation. This is one of the eight communities making up the Seventh District of Gespe’gewa’gi, Mi’gma’gi. Listuguj is one of the three Mi’gmaq communities, located in Québec, which form the Mi’gmawei Mawiomi

 

Ilapmeg ta’n Telie’was’gp  ~ Traditional Use Study, which translated means: ‘the way we used the land.’

 

Maqamigal  ~  Lands

 

Maqtugweg  ~   Gulf of Saint Lawrence 

 

Mawi Poqtapeg   ~   Baie des Chaleurs

 

Mawiomi   ~   Council and/or gathering

 

Mawiomi’l   ~   Plural of mawiomi

 

Mawqatmu’ti’gw   ~   Co-existence. This is one of the seven guiding principles for the Gespe’gewa’gi claims process and negotiations, as agreed upon by the Mgnigng (tripartite negotiators). In this context, mawqatmu’ti’gw entails: “Together, we will all seek to co-exist in Peace and Friendship through cooperation and partnership.”

 

Megite’taqann   ~ In 2008, the Mgnigng (tripartite negotiators) agreed that the Gespe’gewa’gi claims process and negotiations would be guided by a ‘principle-based approach,’ known as ‘Megite’taqann.’ Megite’taqann, translated, means: “what we hold in high esteem, what we honour.”

 

Metepenagiag   ~   Red Bank First Nation. One of the eight communities making up the Seventh District of Gespe’gewa’gi, Mi’gma’gi.

Mgnigng   ~   Circle of Officials. The Mgnigng, the official negotiating team for the Gespe’gewa’gi claim process, is comprised of representatives from the Gespe’gewaq Mi’gmaq, Canada, and Québec.

 

Mi’gma’gi   ~   The national territory of the Mi’gmaq

 

Mi’gmaq   ~   The people of Mi’gma’gi

Mi’gmaw na Gepminsituninen ula Gespe’gewa’gig   ~   Mi’gmaw is the Official Language of Gespe’gewa’gi. The Mi’gmawei Mawiomi issued this declaration about the Mi’gmaw language in 2009.

Mi’gmawei Mawiomi  ~   The Mi’gmawei Mawiomi is the name of the political body representing the three Mi’gmaq communities located in Québec. This term, translated, means ‘gathering of Mi’gmaq people.’

Mimajuaqan   ~   Livelihood

 

Musigisg   ~   Sky

 

Natoageneg   ~ Eel Ground First Nation. One of the eight communities making up the Seventh District of Gespe’gewa’gi, Mi’gma’gi (Natuaqaneg - Listuguj Orthography)

Nenmgl   ~   Acknowledgement. This is one of the seven principles used by the Mgnigng (tripartite negotiators) in the Gespe’gewa’gi claims process and negotiations. In this context, nenmgl entails: “Canada and Québec will acknowledge the Mi’gmaq. We are, and will remain, Mi’gmaq within the societies of Québec and Canada, with our own beliefs and worldview systems Mi’gmaq, Québec and Canada will build on the Peace and Friendship Treaties in the context of today.”

Nipugt   ~  Forest, woods

 

Niganita’suatas’gl Ilsutaqan (NI)   ~   Signed in 2008, the NI is an agreement among the three parties (Mi’gmaq, Canada, and Quebec), which outlines the common objectives and the intent of the three parties to work together and prepare for negotiations. This term, translated, means ‘the thinking before the decision.’ 

Nm’tginen   ~   Our territory.  The Mi’gmawei Mawiomi submitted its Statement of Claim document, entitled Nm’tginen, to the governments of Canada and Québec in 2007.

 

Nm’tginen Me’mnaq Ejiglignmuetueg Gis Na Naqtmueg   ~   Our Territory: We Have Never Given it Away or Left it. This is the full title of the Statement of Claim document submitted by the Mi’gmawei Mawiomi to the governments of Canada and Québec in 2007.

 

Nestuapuga’tijig Gisigu’g  ~   Advisory circle to the Mi’gmaq Mgnigng. This advisory circle, formerly named the Mgnigng Elders’ Council, is comprised of Mi’gmaq Elders from the three member communities of the Mi’gmawei Mawiomi. 

  

Nujo’teket   ~   The one is responsible or in charge of something

 

Nutewistoq   ~   Speaker

 

Sante Mawiomi   ~   Grand Council

 

Saqamawg  ~   Chiefs 

Saqamawuti   ~   District Chiefs

 

Signigtewa’gi   ~   One of the seven districts of Mi’gma’gi

 

Sipu’l   ~   Rivers

Sugapune’gati   ~   One of the seven districts of Mi’gma’gi

Ta’n telgegnu’mimajultimg   ~   How to live a good and proper life 

Ta’n teliangweiatulti’gw   ~   How we look after one another

 

Ta’n Telipgwatu’g   ~   This is one of the seven principles used by the Mgnigng (tripartite negotiators) in the Gespe’gewa’gi claims process and negotiation. In this context, ta’n telipgwatu’g entails: “We have a sacred responsibility to all of creation in the territory; we will protect this for generations coming, and we will share our perspective with Québec and Canada. We will exercise governance through agreements with Canada and/or Québec.”

 

Ta’n telitpi’taqati’gw   ~  How we distribute things or the process we use to distribute

 

Ta’n telmawilsutaqati’gw   ~  How we judge or decide together

 

Ta’n telmi’waltultimg  ~  How we are grateful for or appreciate each other

 

Ta’n telmi’watmg goqwei   ~   How to be appreciative or grateful for things

Ta’n telwo’gmawtultimg   ~   We are all related

Tetapu’nasgwa’tatultimg   ~   Sharing. This is one of the seven principles used by the Mgnigng (tripartite negotiators) in the Gespe’gewa’gi claims process and negotiations,. In this context, tetapu’nasgwa’tatultimg entails: “Sharing through fair and just partnerships will increase our self-sufficiency and our autonomy.”

Ugpi’ganjig   ~   Eel River Bar First Nation. One of the eight communities making up the Seventh District of Gespe’gewa’gi, Mi’gma’gi.

Ugs’tqamu   ~   All of Creation

 

Ulo’gnitew   ~  Mi’gmaq communal well-being. This is one of the seven principles used by the Mgnigng (tripartite negotiators) in the Gespe’gewa’gi claims process and negotiations. In this context, ulo’gnitew entails: “Our communal well-being, as Mi’gmaq, is a shared vision of the participants.”

 

Unama’gi   ~  One of the seven districts of Mi’gma’gi