Nta’tugwaqanminen — Our Story

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More than 60 people gathered under the new LMG tent at Moffat landing for the presentation of the book Nta’tugwaqanminen – Our Story.

The book produced by the Mi’gmawei Mawiomi Secretariat is the fruit of many years of research, reflections and discussion about Gespe’gewa’gi Mi’gmaq.  A video about the importance and uniqueness of the book, was presented to the public. The video included interviews to Elder Barnard Jerome, an academic, a lawyer, a youth, a researcher and the MMS Director.

The book itself is rich in information about history, archeology, place names, legal analysis of Aboriginal Title, the Mi’gmaq vs. Canadian vision on the territory and the regional, national and international context of Indigenous struggles to reaffirms their Inherent and Aboriginal rights.

The book Nta’tugwaqanminen describes the evolution of the Gespege’wa’gi Mi’gmaq and it represents a solid source of information for those interested in knowing Mi’gmaq identity, culture, history and the roots of our rights.  There are few books available on library shelves that carry the voices of the Mi’gmaq knowledge holders and written from a Mi’gmaq perspective. This is a “must read’ for all Mi’gmaq and anyone working with the Mi’gmaq people.

For Maddie Metallic, a Mi’gmaq language teacher the book is necessary for Mi’gmaq students at all levels. “I remember when I went to Mount Allison University we were taught about our history and about our people from a non-native perspective. At that time I felt that it was wrong and we were misrepresented but I didn’t have the tools to respond to them. If at that time I had the book Nta’tugwaqanminen and I had read it, I would have the tools to respond to their misinformation.” Holding the book on her hand and with a strong sentiment Maddie concluded: “This is a great book with so much information and above all, from a Mi’gmaq perspective.”

The Nta’tugwaqanminen book is available at the MMS office and will be distributes in Listuguj, Gesgapegiag and Gespeg.

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