Foundations

Land, Culture, Leadership and Misconceptions

General Summary

The content in the Foundations Learning Experiences (LEs) lay the conceptual groundwork for the learning and exploration that occurs in later levels. It is here in Foundations that learners will engage with primary concepts such as Mi’kmaw worldviews, values, governance, and relationships to Mi’kma’kik, which are embedded in the subsequent content.

This content provides a basis for understanding Mi’kmaw decision-making: the cultural logic behind treaty-making decisions, how communities weathered and negotiated the brutal Treaty Denial period, and the leadership and decisions that led to the current Treaty Renewal period. It will be difficult to understand why netukulimk is a common priority in the treaty making process if learners do not understand what netukulimk is. Similarly, the treaty-signing and ratification process may be confusing if learners do not understand the autonomy of Mi’kmaw communities along with the concept of consensus and the role it has played in Mi’kmaw decision-making. This material is worth revisiting with older learners to ensure they have the foundation they need.

As a reminder, an introduction to each of the themed sections below can be found at the start of each section. Educators who feel the need to learn additional content prior to sharing these Learning Experiences should find the necessary information within these section introductions.

Mi’kma’kik

These LEs are designed to build learner comprehension about the nature and extent of Mi’kma’kik, and the fundamental ways Mi’kma’kik shapes Mi’kmaw ways of knowing and being. Learners will explore what it means to live and be in relationship in Mi’kma’kik, guided by key Mi’kmaw worldviews that have been sustained and strengthened through cultural practices passed down through countless generations.

Family, Culture and Community

Here, learners explore key aspects of Mi’kmaw culture, including values such as consensus, humility, and tpi’tnewey. Learners will grow their understanding of the importance of Mi’kmaw oral tradition, witnessing the brilliance and sophistication of Mi’kmaw orality through time. These oral histories are the threads that weave Mi’kmaw generations together across time and space.

Leadership

The LEs in this section bring together the three spheres of decision-making that sustain Mi’kmaw leadership: the family, the community, and the Sante’ Mawio’mi. It is important scaffolding for understanding the treaty-making process as well as other content. Like other key Foundations content, Learning Experiences found in this leadership section are required to contextualize the Treaties and Renewal and Reconciliation LEs.

Misconceptions

With the knowledge and perspectives developed in the previous three sections, learners will be prepared to begin to engage some misconceptions about Mi’kmaw people and culture. The Learning Experiences in this section act as consolidation exercises for the Foundations content. The skills developed to identify and see misconceptions and their impacts will strengthen learner abilities across cultures and time periods.