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Northeast Wigwam: The Micmac
There is evidence to believe that the Micmac had contact with Europeans (Vikings) in the 11th century, centuries before Columbus arrived in the Americas, making them the first Native Americans to have contact with Europeans. There is also evidence to believe that their population was far more than the 40,000 people that have been estimated for their population in the year 1600. Their numbers, however, were greatly reduced due to diseases such as smallpox that was brought into their villages by the Europeans, and some estimates suggest that their numbers were only 4,000 by 1620.
The Micmac, who originally occupied most of southeastern Canada and northern Maine, were primarily fishermen and hunters, who were granted free border crossing rights between the U.S. and Canada by the Jay Treaty of 1794. In neighboring colonial communities they were well known for their splint-ash basket making.
Today's Canadian and U.S. combined Micmac population is over 25,000, with about 28 groups recognized in Canada and just 1 group recognized in the U.S. - the Aroostook Band of Northern Maine with more than 700 members. Today's Micmac occupy more than 60 villages or reserves in Canada, and there are probably more than 2,000 Micmac living in the Boston and New York City areas.
State recognition in Maine was received in 1973 and federal recognition came in 1991 with the Aroostook Band of Micmacs Settlement Act. With this act, the Micmacs received funds to purchase more than 5,000 acres of their previously owned land. Many members of the Micmac Nation still speak the Micmac language today.
--written by Harold and Deborah Champlain, Narragansett
Indigenous languages
