The following is a list of grand chiefs (Mi'kmaq) who have presided over the Grand Council (Mi'kmaq).The Mi’kmaq Grand Council is the traditional political structure of the Mi'kmaw in Atlantic Canada. Each of the seven Districts of Mi’kma’ki had a District Chief who was elected from the local chiefs from that district. One of the district chiefs was appointed Grand Chief. The Grand Council was reorganized in the 18th century in response to the collapse of French power in the region. Previously the Miꞌkmaq had operated in 14-15 independent bands in Miꞌkmaꞌki.
# | Image | Name | Grand Chief from | Grand Chief until |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Henri Membertou | 1550 | 1611 | |
2. | Louis Membertou | 1611 | ??? | |
3. | Unknown | ??? | ??? (Possible: 1726) | |
4. | Jean Baptiste Cope | 1726 | 1758-60 | |
5. | Francis Peck | 1792 | 1818 | |
6. | Michael Tooma | 1818 | 1842 | |
7. | Frank Tooma Jr. | 1842 | 1869 | |
8. | John Denny | 1869 | 1887 | |
9. (CONTENDED) | Jacques-Pierre Peminuit Paul | 1856 | 1895 | |
9.(CONTENDED) | John Denny Jr. | 1887 | 1918 | |
10. | Gabriel Sylliboy | 1918 | 1964 | |
11. | Donald Marshall Sr. | 1964 | 1991 | |
12. | Benjamin Sylliboy | 1991 | 2017 | |
13. | Norman Sylliboy | 2019 | Present |
Notes
- "Mi'kmaq History Month 2006" (PDF). October 2006.
- Stephen Patterson. Indian-White Relations in Nova Scotia, 1749-61: A Study in Political Interaction. in Buckner, P.A, Campbell, Gail and Frank, David. The Acadiensis Reader: Vol. 1., 3rd Edition. Atlantic Canada Before Confederation. 1998. p. 81
- Mi'kmaq select Norman Sylliboy of Eskasoni as new grand chief
References
- Official Miꞌkmaq history month Poster 2006
- Miꞌkmaq Grand Chiefs - Profiles
- Janet E. Chute. Frank G. Speck's Contributions to the Understanding of Miꞌkmaq Land Use, Leadership, and Land Management. Ethnohistory. June 1, 1999
- Miꞌkmaw Chiefs, 1760
- The Maple Monarchists