The Mi’kmaq had a variety of ways to communicate our laws, customs, stories, and thoughts about everyday life.

The Spoken Language

Our language is only one of a large family of Algonquian languages, which have been spoken across much of Canada and parts of the eastern United States, and is closely related to the Penobscot, Abenaki, Cree, Objibwa and Blackfoot languages.

Unlike English, Mi’kmaw language centers on the action or verb, rather than the object or noun. Traditionally spoken, rather than written, Mi’kmaw is a descriptive, yet complex and beautiful language; for example, the descriptive name for the month of May is Tqoljuiku’s’ which means “frog-croaking moon”.

The Written Tradition

The Mi’kmaq also used symbols and pictures as forms of expression.

Hieroglyphics

Thought to be the earliest form of writing in North America, Mi’kmaw hieroglyphics were usually written on birch bark or animal hides. During the 1600s, French missionaries adapted hieroglyphics into prayers in order to teach The People about Christianity.

Petroglyphs

Petroglyphs are drawings on rock. Often depicting animals, spiritual images, mythical creatures, and daily objects and activities, many petroglyphs survive to this day, and can still be seen. Nearby Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site of Canada has the largest collection of petroglyphs in eastern North America.

Photo Credits
Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site of Canada