Post by Okwes on Apr 14, 2008 12:41:59 GMT -5
Glooscap - Micmac
After the Mik'Maq world was created and after the animals, birds and plants
were placed on the surface, Gisoolg caused a bolt of lightening to hit the
surface of Ootsitgamoo. This bolt of lightning caused the formation of an
image of a human body shaped out of sand. It was Glooscap who was first
shaped out of the basic element of the Mik'Maq world, sand.
Gisoolg unleashed another bolt of lightening which gave life to Glooscap but
yet he could not move. He was stuck to the ground only to watch the world go
by and Nisgam travel across the sky everyday. Glooscap watched the animals,
the birds and the plants grow and pass around him. He asked Nisgam to give
him freedom to move about the Mik'Maq world.
While Glooscap was still unable to move, he was lying on his back. His head
was facing the direction of the rising sun, east, Oetjgoabaniag or
Oetjibanoog. In Mik'Maq these words mean "where the sun comes up " and
"where the summer weather comes from" respectively. His feet were in the
direction of the setting sun or Oetgatsenoog. Other Mik'Maq words for the
west are Oeloesenoog, "where the sun settles into a hallow" or Etgesnoog
"where the cold winds come from". Glooscap's right hand was pointed in the
direction of the north or Oatnoog. His left hand was in the direction of the
south or Opgoetasnoog. So it was the third big blast of lightening that
caused Glooscap to become free and to be able to stand on the surface of the
earth.
After Glooscap stood up on his feet, he turned around in a full circle seven
times. He then looked toward the sky and gave thanks to Gisoolg for giving
him life. He looked down to the earth or the ground and gave thanks to
Ootsigamoo for offering its sand for Glooscap's creation. He looked within
himself and gave thanks to Nisgam for giving him his soul and spirit.
Glooscap then gave thanks to the four directions east, north, west and
south. In all he gave his heartfelt thanks to the seven directions.
Glooscap then traveled to the direction of the setting sun until he came to
the ocean. He then went south until the land narrowed and he came to the
ocean. He then went south until the land narrowed and he could see two
oceans on either side. He again traveled back to where he started from and
continued towards the north to the land of ice and snow. Later he came back
to the east where he decided to stay. It is where he came into existence. He
again watched the animals, the birds and the plants. He watched the water
and the sky. Gisoolg taught him to watch and learn about the world. Glooscap
watched but he could not disturb the world around him. He finally asked
Gisoolg and Nisgam, what was the purpose of his existence. He was told that
he would meet someone soon.
NOGAMI
One day when Glooscap was traveling in the east he came upon a very old
woman. Glooscap asked the old woman how she arrived to the Mik'Maq world.
The old woman introduced herself as Nogami. She said to Glooscap, "I am your
grandmother". Nogami said that she owes her existence to the rock, the dew
and Nisgam, the Sun. She went on to explain that on one chilly morning a
rock became covered with dew because it was sitting in a low valley. By
midday when the sun was most powerful, the rock got warm and then hot. With
the power of Nisgam, the sun, Gisoolg's helper, the rock was given a body of
an old woman. This old woman was Nogami, Glooscap's grandmother.
Nogami told Glooscap that she come to the Mik'Maq world as an old woman,
already very wise and knowledgeable. She further explained that Glooscap
would gain spiritual strength by listening to and having great respect for
his grandmother. Glooscap was so glad for his grandmother's arrival to the
Mik'Maq world he called upon Abistanooj, a marten swimming in the river, to
come ashore. Abistanooj did what Glooscap had asked him to do. Abistanooj
came to the shore where Glooscap and Nogami were standing. Glooscap asked
Abistanooj to give up his life so that he and his grandmother could live.
Abistanooj agreed. Nogami then took Abistanooj and quickly snapped his neck.
She placed him on the ground. Glooscap for the first time asked Gisoolg to
use his power to give life back to Abistanooj because he did not want to be
in disfavor with the animals.
Because of marten's sacrifice, Glooscap referred to all the animals as his
brothers and sisters from that point on. Nogami added that the animals will
always be in the world to provide food, clothing, tools, and shelter.
Abistanooj went back to the river and in his place lay another marten.
Glooscap and Abistanooj will become friends and brothers forever.
Nogami cleaned the animal to get it ready for eating. She gathered the still
hot sparks for the lightening which hit the ground when Glooscap was given
life. She placed dry wood over the coals to make a fire. This fire became
the Great Spirit Fire and later go to be known as the Great Council Fire.
The first feast of meat was cooked over the Great Fire, or Ekjibuctou.
Glooscap relied on his grandmother for her survival, her knowledge and her
wisdom. Since Nogami was old and wise, Glooscap learned to respect her for
her knowledge. They learned to respect each other for their continued
interdependence and continued existence.
NETAOANSOM
One day when Glooscap and Nogami were walking along in the woods, they came
upon a young man. This young man looked very strong because he was tall and
physically big.
He had grey colored eyes. Glooscap asked the young man his name and how he
arrived to the Mik'Maq world. The young man introduced himself. He told
Glooscap that his name is Netaoansom and that he is Glooscap's sister's son.
In other words, his nephew. He told Glooscap that he is physically strong
and that they could all live comfortably. Netaoansom could run after moose,
deer and caribou and bring them down with his bare hands. He was so strong.
Netaoansom said that while the east wind was blowing so hard it caused the
waters of the ocean to become rough and foamy. This foam got blown to the
shore on the sandy beach and finally rested on the tall grass. This tall
grass is sweet grass. Its fragrance was sweet. The sweet grass held onto the
foam until Nisgam, the Sun, was high in the midday sky. Nisgam gave
Netaoansom spiritual and physical strength in a human body. Gisoolg told
Glooscap that if he relied on the strength and power of his nephew he would
gain strength and understanding of the world around him.
Glooscap was so glad for his nephew's arrival to the Mik'Maq world, he
called upon the salmon of the rivers and seas to come to shore and give up
their lives. The reason for this is that Glooscap, Netoansom and Nogami did
not want to kill all the animals for their survival. So in celebration of
his nephew's arrival, they all had a feast of fish. They all gave thanks for
their existence. They continued to rely on their brothers and sisters of the
woods and waters. They relied on each other for their survival.
NEGANOGONIMGOSSEESGO
While Glooscap was sitting near a fire, Nogam was making clothing out of
animal hides and Netaoansom was in the woods getting food. A woman came to
the fire and sat beside Glooscap. She put her arms around Glooscap and asked
"Are you cold my son?" Glooscap was surprised he stood up and asked the
woman who she is and where did she come from. She explained that she was
Glooscap's mother. Her name is Neganogonimgooseesgo. Glooscap waited until
his grandmother and nephew returned to the fire then he asked his mother to
explain how she arrived to the Mik'Maq world.
Neganogonimgooseesgo said that she was a leaf on a tree which fell to the
ground. Morning dew formed on the leaf and glistened while the sun, Nisgam,
began its journey towards the midday sky. It was at midday when Nisgam gave
life and a human form to Glooscap's mother. The spirit and strength of
Nisgam entered into Glooscap's mother.
Glooscap's mother said that she brings all the colors of the world to her
children. She also brings strength and understanding. Strength to withstand
earth's natural forces and understanding of the Mik'Maq world; its animals
and her children, the Mik'Maq. She told them that they will need
understanding and co-operation so they all can live in peace with one
another.
Glooscap was so happy that his mother came into the world and since she came
from a leaf, he called upon his nephew to gather nuts, fruits of the plants
while Nogami prepared a feast. Glooscap gave thanks to Gisoolg, Nisgam,
Ootsitgamoo, Nogami, Netaoansom and Neganogonimgooseesgo. They all had a
feast in honor of Glooscap's mother's arrival to the world of Mik'Maqs.
The story goes on to say that Glooscap, the man created from the sand of the
earth, continued to live with his family for a very long time. He gained
spiritual strength by having respect for each member of the family. He
listened to his grandmother' s wisdom. He relied on his nephew' s strength
and spiritual power. His mother' s love and understanding gave him dignity
and respect. Glooscap' s brothers and sisters of the wood and waters gave
him the will and the food to survive. Glooscap now learned that mutual
respect of his family and the world around him was a key ingredient for
basic survival. Glooscap's task was to pass this knowledge to his fellow
Mik'Maq people so that they too could survive in the Mik'Maq world. This is
why Glooscap became a central figure in Mik'Maq story telling.
One day when Glooscap was talking to Nogami he told her that soon they would
leave his mother and nephew. He told her that they should prepare for that
occasion. Nogami began to get all the necessary things ready for a long
journey to the North. When everyone was sitting around the Great Fire one
evening, Glooscap told his mother and nephew that he and Nogami are going to
leave the Mik'Maq world. He said that they will travel in the direction of
the North only to return if the Mik'Maq people were in danger. Glooscap told
his mother and nephew to look after the Great Fire and never to let it go
out.
After the passing of seven winters, "elwigneg daasiboongeg", seven sparks
will fly from the fire and when they land on the ground seven people will
come to life. Seven more sparks will land on the ground and seven more
people will come into existence. From these sparks will form seven women and
seven men. They will form seven families. These seven families will disperse
into seven different directions from the area of the Great Fire. Glooscap
said that once the seven families their place of destination, they will
further divide into seven groups.
Each group will have their own area for their subsistence so they would not
disturb the other groups. He instructed his mother that the smaller groups
would share the earth's abundance of resources which included animals,
plants and fellow humans.
Glooscap told his mother that after the passing of seven winters, each of
the seven groups would return to the place of the Great Fire. At the place
of the fire all the people will dance, sing and drum in celebration of their
continued existence in the Mik'Maq world. Glooscap continued by saying that
the Great Fire signified the power of the Great Spirit Creator, Gisoolg. It
also signified the power and strength of the light and heat of Nisgam, the
sun.
The Great Fire held the strength of Ootsitgamoo the earth. Finally the fire
represented the bolt of lightening which hit the earth from which Glooscap
was created. The fire is very sacred to the Mik'Maqs. It is the most
powerful spirit on earth.
Glooscap told his mother and nephew that it is important for the Mik'Maq to
give honor, respect and thanks to the seven spiritual elements. The fire
signifies the first four stages of creation, Gisoolg, Nisgam, Oositgamoo and
Glooscap. Fire plays a significant role in the last three stages as it
represents the power of the sun, Nisgam.
In honor of Nogamits arrival to the Mik'Maq world, Glooscap instructed his
mother that seven, fourteen and twenty-one rocks would have to be heated
over the Great Fire. These heated rocks will be placed inside a wigwam
covered with hides of moose and caribou or with mud. The door must face the
direction of the rising sun. There should be room from seven men to sit
comfortably around a pit dug In the centre where up to twenty-one rocks
could be placed. Seven alders, seven wild willows and seven beech saplings
will be used to make the frame of the lodge. This lodge should be covered
with the hides of moose, caribou, deer or mud.
Seven men representing the seven original families will enter into the
lodge. They will give thanks and honor to the seven directions, the seven
stages of creation and to continue to live in good health. The men will pour
water over the rocks causing steam to rise in the lodge to become very hot.
The men will begin to sweat up to point that it will become almost
unbearable. Only those who believe in the spiritual strength will be able to
withstand the heat. Then they will all come out of the lodge full of steam
and shining like new born babies. This is the way they will clean their
spirits and should honor Nogami's arrival.
In preparation of the sweat, the seven men will not eat any food for seven
days. They will only drink the water of golden roots and bees nectar. Before
entering the sweat the seven men will burn the sweet grass. They will honor
the seven directions and the seven stages of creation but mostly for
Netawansom's arrival to the Mik'Maq world. The sweet grass must be lit from
the Great Fire.
Glooscap's mother came into the world from the leaf of a tree, so in honor
of her arrival tobacco made from bark and leaves will be smoked. The tobacco
will be smoked in pipe made from a branch of a tree and a bowl made from
stone.
The pipe will be lit from sweet grass which was lit from the Great Fire. The
tobacco made from bark, leaves and sweet grass represents Glooscap's
grandmother, nephew and mother. The tobacco called "spebaggan" will be
smoked and the smoke will be blown in seven directions.
After honoring Nogami's arrival the Mik'Maq shall have a feast or meal. In
honor of Netawansom they will eat fish. The fruits and roots of the trees
and plants will be eaten to honor Glooscap's mother.
Glooscap's final instruction to his mother told her how to collect and
prepare medicine from the barks and roots of seven different kinds of plant.
The seven plants together make what is called "ektjimpisun". It will cure
mostly every kind of illness in the Mik'Maq world. The ingredients of this
medicine are: "wikpe"(alum willow), "waqwonuminokse"(wild black- cherry),
"Kastuk"(ground hemlock), and "kowotmonokse"(red spruce). The Mik'Maq people
are divided into seven distinct areas which are as follows:
1.Gespegiag
2.Sigenitog
3.Epeggoitg a, Pigtog
4.Gespogoitg
5.Segepenegatig
6.Esgigiag
7.Onamagig
After the Mik'Maq world was created and after the animals, birds and plants
were placed on the surface, Gisoolg caused a bolt of lightening to hit the
surface of Ootsitgamoo. This bolt of lightning caused the formation of an
image of a human body shaped out of sand. It was Glooscap who was first
shaped out of the basic element of the Mik'Maq world, sand.
Gisoolg unleashed another bolt of lightening which gave life to Glooscap but
yet he could not move. He was stuck to the ground only to watch the world go
by and Nisgam travel across the sky everyday. Glooscap watched the animals,
the birds and the plants grow and pass around him. He asked Nisgam to give
him freedom to move about the Mik'Maq world.
While Glooscap was still unable to move, he was lying on his back. His head
was facing the direction of the rising sun, east, Oetjgoabaniag or
Oetjibanoog. In Mik'Maq these words mean "where the sun comes up " and
"where the summer weather comes from" respectively. His feet were in the
direction of the setting sun or Oetgatsenoog. Other Mik'Maq words for the
west are Oeloesenoog, "where the sun settles into a hallow" or Etgesnoog
"where the cold winds come from". Glooscap's right hand was pointed in the
direction of the north or Oatnoog. His left hand was in the direction of the
south or Opgoetasnoog. So it was the third big blast of lightening that
caused Glooscap to become free and to be able to stand on the surface of the
earth.
After Glooscap stood up on his feet, he turned around in a full circle seven
times. He then looked toward the sky and gave thanks to Gisoolg for giving
him life. He looked down to the earth or the ground and gave thanks to
Ootsigamoo for offering its sand for Glooscap's creation. He looked within
himself and gave thanks to Nisgam for giving him his soul and spirit.
Glooscap then gave thanks to the four directions east, north, west and
south. In all he gave his heartfelt thanks to the seven directions.
Glooscap then traveled to the direction of the setting sun until he came to
the ocean. He then went south until the land narrowed and he came to the
ocean. He then went south until the land narrowed and he could see two
oceans on either side. He again traveled back to where he started from and
continued towards the north to the land of ice and snow. Later he came back
to the east where he decided to stay. It is where he came into existence. He
again watched the animals, the birds and the plants. He watched the water
and the sky. Gisoolg taught him to watch and learn about the world. Glooscap
watched but he could not disturb the world around him. He finally asked
Gisoolg and Nisgam, what was the purpose of his existence. He was told that
he would meet someone soon.
NOGAMI
One day when Glooscap was traveling in the east he came upon a very old
woman. Glooscap asked the old woman how she arrived to the Mik'Maq world.
The old woman introduced herself as Nogami. She said to Glooscap, "I am your
grandmother". Nogami said that she owes her existence to the rock, the dew
and Nisgam, the Sun. She went on to explain that on one chilly morning a
rock became covered with dew because it was sitting in a low valley. By
midday when the sun was most powerful, the rock got warm and then hot. With
the power of Nisgam, the sun, Gisoolg's helper, the rock was given a body of
an old woman. This old woman was Nogami, Glooscap's grandmother.
Nogami told Glooscap that she come to the Mik'Maq world as an old woman,
already very wise and knowledgeable. She further explained that Glooscap
would gain spiritual strength by listening to and having great respect for
his grandmother. Glooscap was so glad for his grandmother's arrival to the
Mik'Maq world he called upon Abistanooj, a marten swimming in the river, to
come ashore. Abistanooj did what Glooscap had asked him to do. Abistanooj
came to the shore where Glooscap and Nogami were standing. Glooscap asked
Abistanooj to give up his life so that he and his grandmother could live.
Abistanooj agreed. Nogami then took Abistanooj and quickly snapped his neck.
She placed him on the ground. Glooscap for the first time asked Gisoolg to
use his power to give life back to Abistanooj because he did not want to be
in disfavor with the animals.
Because of marten's sacrifice, Glooscap referred to all the animals as his
brothers and sisters from that point on. Nogami added that the animals will
always be in the world to provide food, clothing, tools, and shelter.
Abistanooj went back to the river and in his place lay another marten.
Glooscap and Abistanooj will become friends and brothers forever.
Nogami cleaned the animal to get it ready for eating. She gathered the still
hot sparks for the lightening which hit the ground when Glooscap was given
life. She placed dry wood over the coals to make a fire. This fire became
the Great Spirit Fire and later go to be known as the Great Council Fire.
The first feast of meat was cooked over the Great Fire, or Ekjibuctou.
Glooscap relied on his grandmother for her survival, her knowledge and her
wisdom. Since Nogami was old and wise, Glooscap learned to respect her for
her knowledge. They learned to respect each other for their continued
interdependence and continued existence.
NETAOANSOM
One day when Glooscap and Nogami were walking along in the woods, they came
upon a young man. This young man looked very strong because he was tall and
physically big.
He had grey colored eyes. Glooscap asked the young man his name and how he
arrived to the Mik'Maq world. The young man introduced himself. He told
Glooscap that his name is Netaoansom and that he is Glooscap's sister's son.
In other words, his nephew. He told Glooscap that he is physically strong
and that they could all live comfortably. Netaoansom could run after moose,
deer and caribou and bring them down with his bare hands. He was so strong.
Netaoansom said that while the east wind was blowing so hard it caused the
waters of the ocean to become rough and foamy. This foam got blown to the
shore on the sandy beach and finally rested on the tall grass. This tall
grass is sweet grass. Its fragrance was sweet. The sweet grass held onto the
foam until Nisgam, the Sun, was high in the midday sky. Nisgam gave
Netaoansom spiritual and physical strength in a human body. Gisoolg told
Glooscap that if he relied on the strength and power of his nephew he would
gain strength and understanding of the world around him.
Glooscap was so glad for his nephew's arrival to the Mik'Maq world, he
called upon the salmon of the rivers and seas to come to shore and give up
their lives. The reason for this is that Glooscap, Netoansom and Nogami did
not want to kill all the animals for their survival. So in celebration of
his nephew's arrival, they all had a feast of fish. They all gave thanks for
their existence. They continued to rely on their brothers and sisters of the
woods and waters. They relied on each other for their survival.
NEGANOGONIMGOSSEESGO
While Glooscap was sitting near a fire, Nogam was making clothing out of
animal hides and Netaoansom was in the woods getting food. A woman came to
the fire and sat beside Glooscap. She put her arms around Glooscap and asked
"Are you cold my son?" Glooscap was surprised he stood up and asked the
woman who she is and where did she come from. She explained that she was
Glooscap's mother. Her name is Neganogonimgooseesgo. Glooscap waited until
his grandmother and nephew returned to the fire then he asked his mother to
explain how she arrived to the Mik'Maq world.
Neganogonimgooseesgo said that she was a leaf on a tree which fell to the
ground. Morning dew formed on the leaf and glistened while the sun, Nisgam,
began its journey towards the midday sky. It was at midday when Nisgam gave
life and a human form to Glooscap's mother. The spirit and strength of
Nisgam entered into Glooscap's mother.
Glooscap's mother said that she brings all the colors of the world to her
children. She also brings strength and understanding. Strength to withstand
earth's natural forces and understanding of the Mik'Maq world; its animals
and her children, the Mik'Maq. She told them that they will need
understanding and co-operation so they all can live in peace with one
another.
Glooscap was so happy that his mother came into the world and since she came
from a leaf, he called upon his nephew to gather nuts, fruits of the plants
while Nogami prepared a feast. Glooscap gave thanks to Gisoolg, Nisgam,
Ootsitgamoo, Nogami, Netaoansom and Neganogonimgooseesgo. They all had a
feast in honor of Glooscap's mother's arrival to the world of Mik'Maqs.
The story goes on to say that Glooscap, the man created from the sand of the
earth, continued to live with his family for a very long time. He gained
spiritual strength by having respect for each member of the family. He
listened to his grandmother' s wisdom. He relied on his nephew' s strength
and spiritual power. His mother' s love and understanding gave him dignity
and respect. Glooscap' s brothers and sisters of the wood and waters gave
him the will and the food to survive. Glooscap now learned that mutual
respect of his family and the world around him was a key ingredient for
basic survival. Glooscap's task was to pass this knowledge to his fellow
Mik'Maq people so that they too could survive in the Mik'Maq world. This is
why Glooscap became a central figure in Mik'Maq story telling.
One day when Glooscap was talking to Nogami he told her that soon they would
leave his mother and nephew. He told her that they should prepare for that
occasion. Nogami began to get all the necessary things ready for a long
journey to the North. When everyone was sitting around the Great Fire one
evening, Glooscap told his mother and nephew that he and Nogami are going to
leave the Mik'Maq world. He said that they will travel in the direction of
the North only to return if the Mik'Maq people were in danger. Glooscap told
his mother and nephew to look after the Great Fire and never to let it go
out.
After the passing of seven winters, "elwigneg daasiboongeg", seven sparks
will fly from the fire and when they land on the ground seven people will
come to life. Seven more sparks will land on the ground and seven more
people will come into existence. From these sparks will form seven women and
seven men. They will form seven families. These seven families will disperse
into seven different directions from the area of the Great Fire. Glooscap
said that once the seven families their place of destination, they will
further divide into seven groups.
Each group will have their own area for their subsistence so they would not
disturb the other groups. He instructed his mother that the smaller groups
would share the earth's abundance of resources which included animals,
plants and fellow humans.
Glooscap told his mother that after the passing of seven winters, each of
the seven groups would return to the place of the Great Fire. At the place
of the fire all the people will dance, sing and drum in celebration of their
continued existence in the Mik'Maq world. Glooscap continued by saying that
the Great Fire signified the power of the Great Spirit Creator, Gisoolg. It
also signified the power and strength of the light and heat of Nisgam, the
sun.
The Great Fire held the strength of Ootsitgamoo the earth. Finally the fire
represented the bolt of lightening which hit the earth from which Glooscap
was created. The fire is very sacred to the Mik'Maqs. It is the most
powerful spirit on earth.
Glooscap told his mother and nephew that it is important for the Mik'Maq to
give honor, respect and thanks to the seven spiritual elements. The fire
signifies the first four stages of creation, Gisoolg, Nisgam, Oositgamoo and
Glooscap. Fire plays a significant role in the last three stages as it
represents the power of the sun, Nisgam.
In honor of Nogamits arrival to the Mik'Maq world, Glooscap instructed his
mother that seven, fourteen and twenty-one rocks would have to be heated
over the Great Fire. These heated rocks will be placed inside a wigwam
covered with hides of moose and caribou or with mud. The door must face the
direction of the rising sun. There should be room from seven men to sit
comfortably around a pit dug In the centre where up to twenty-one rocks
could be placed. Seven alders, seven wild willows and seven beech saplings
will be used to make the frame of the lodge. This lodge should be covered
with the hides of moose, caribou, deer or mud.
Seven men representing the seven original families will enter into the
lodge. They will give thanks and honor to the seven directions, the seven
stages of creation and to continue to live in good health. The men will pour
water over the rocks causing steam to rise in the lodge to become very hot.
The men will begin to sweat up to point that it will become almost
unbearable. Only those who believe in the spiritual strength will be able to
withstand the heat. Then they will all come out of the lodge full of steam
and shining like new born babies. This is the way they will clean their
spirits and should honor Nogami's arrival.
In preparation of the sweat, the seven men will not eat any food for seven
days. They will only drink the water of golden roots and bees nectar. Before
entering the sweat the seven men will burn the sweet grass. They will honor
the seven directions and the seven stages of creation but mostly for
Netawansom's arrival to the Mik'Maq world. The sweet grass must be lit from
the Great Fire.
Glooscap's mother came into the world from the leaf of a tree, so in honor
of her arrival tobacco made from bark and leaves will be smoked. The tobacco
will be smoked in pipe made from a branch of a tree and a bowl made from
stone.
The pipe will be lit from sweet grass which was lit from the Great Fire. The
tobacco made from bark, leaves and sweet grass represents Glooscap's
grandmother, nephew and mother. The tobacco called "spebaggan" will be
smoked and the smoke will be blown in seven directions.
After honoring Nogami's arrival the Mik'Maq shall have a feast or meal. In
honor of Netawansom they will eat fish. The fruits and roots of the trees
and plants will be eaten to honor Glooscap's mother.
Glooscap's final instruction to his mother told her how to collect and
prepare medicine from the barks and roots of seven different kinds of plant.
The seven plants together make what is called "ektjimpisun". It will cure
mostly every kind of illness in the Mik'Maq world. The ingredients of this
medicine are: "wikpe"(alum willow), "waqwonuminokse"(wild black- cherry),
"Kastuk"(ground hemlock), and "kowotmonokse"(red spruce). The Mik'Maq people
are divided into seven distinct areas which are as follows:
1.Gespegiag
2.Sigenitog
3.Epeggoitg a, Pigtog
4.Gespogoitg
5.Segepenegatig
6.Esgigiag
7.Onamagig