is 68, 192-194).The Mi’kmaqs were divided into seven different nations, with each having their own chief. The Epelwik, “lying on the water”; Eskikewa’kik, “skin dressers territory”; Kespek, “last land”; Kespukwitk, “land’s end”; Siknikt, “drainage place”; Sipekne’katik, “ground nut place”; Wunama’kik, “foggy land”; and in 1860 an eighth nation was added in Southern Newfoundland, Taqamkuk, (Sultzan 1-2).The population of the Mi’kmaq was originally 3,000 to 30,000 people but usually around 20,000, (Sultzan 1). By 1620, epidemics had reduced the population to less than 4,000. By 1760, the number had fallen to 3,000 and by 1823 the number of Mi’kmaqs fell to an all time low of 1,800. The 1794 Jay Treaty between Great Britain and the United States allows Mi’kmaqs to go across the border from Canada into the United States, thus, allowing Mi’kmaqs to live freely in the United States, and still be able to go into Canada, (1).At the present time, there are more than 16,000 (Sultzan 1) registered Mi’kmaqs in Canada with twenty-eight separate groups. The United States and Canada combined have about 25,000 Mi’kmaqs with only one recognized group in the United States. This group is called the Aroostook Band of MicMac and is located in Northern Maine, it has 500 members to date. The ABM was recognized by the state government in 1973 and by the Federal government in 1991. There are more than 2,000 Mi’kmaq living in the Boston, Massachusetts area and several hundred living in New York City, (1).One might conclude that the Mi’kmaq tribes, in traditional times, lived a common and fruitful life. With only the resources of the land, they managed to overcome many obstacles and keep the Mi’kmaq tradition alive....
