- May 2024
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St. Michael and All Saints, that is to say in the course of the month of Octobernext.
There should be some significance read in the use of Christian holidays as date markers as it highlights the Mi'kmaq as a Christian nation and emphasizes the British's position as unjust foreign aggressors.
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speaking in the name of the whole nation wouldlook upon them as enemies, and would treat them as such
Speaks to the advanced hostility between the Mi'kmaq and the British as they are willing to accuse Acadian refugees of being British allies to to the militant clause in the oath of allegiance towards the British Crown.
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are much surprised at this step, and that it should be taken ata time when it is proposed on both sides to treat of a durable peace.
An instance of the British breaking a direct promise towards the Mi'kmak, for which they would become infamous.
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I willsoon come to see you. Perhaps you will well receive what I have to say.
Alludes to the eventual two years of conflict which would erupt between the British and the Mi'kmaq due to the settlement and maintenance of Halifax.
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I have come from theearth like the grass. It is the place of my birth and of my residence. It is my Land, forme. Yes, I judge, it is God who has given it to me, as my country, in perpetuity.
This passage refers to both practical and religious claims towards ownership and thus implies that the British are both legally and morally at fault for settling Halifax.
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There is nothing more that remains except Kjipuktuk. You want thispiece of Land too,
Shows both the great significance of Kjipuktuk as a site of heritage as well as one of the last unadulterated river basins in Mi'kma'ki thus representing one of the last access points to the riverways which the Mi'kmaq were reliant on.
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great captain
The use of the term 'great captain' is interesting as it still denotes respect and a desire towards cooperation but does not have the same reverential quality of earlier messages and rather implies that the author accepted the governor's position as statesman and perhaps an equal but not in relation to their independent nation.
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Some of us had lent thee a few places but know now that the entire nation revokes those loansbecause thou misusedst them.
Specifically referring to the trading posts and forts of Mi'kma'ki as a loan from one sovereign to another and thus able to be revoked.
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which I received from God alone, my land of which no king nor foreign power hasbeen allowed or is allowed to dispose against my will,
Indigenous groups explicitly accusing the British of acting against Christian values and demonstrating a clear understanding of European law and ownership as well as how the British are committing action illegal even within their own power structures.
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That's all we have to tell you and let's remain your friends Heads of Mines.
A significant sign-off as it highlights that the Mi'kmaq were not interested in building a hostile relationship with the British but rather desired the freedom to conduct themselves as they wished and believed they could operate in this way without outright conflict.
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We say that it is not true and that wehave nothing to do with the opinion of the French to do what we believe is necessary to bedone in his time.
Further evidence of Mi'kmaq autonomy from European powers and Independence as a functioning and unique society.
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however we see that you want totake it away from us by the places you inhabit, and the threats you make to reduce us to yourservitude, which you should not hope for.
A clear challenge and display of discontent with British Imperial presence and policy. The blatant refutation of British governance after the ousting of the more friendly French is clear and representative of the resistance of Mi'kmaq indigenous people to colonial suppression.
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and not tohave any other religion than that of the French,
Appeal to shared religion between the author and King of France a sign of the extended missionary system in New France as well as indigenous peoples deep awareness of European culture in this era.
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Port Royal,captured by the English?
The French loss of Port Royal to the English would occur multiple times and was a sign of the tenuous control the French actually maintained over their colony of Acadie, but also illuminates how the British were unable to establish long-term bases of power while the French and their allies the Mi'kmaq controlled the inland forts and rivers.
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They have gained all the landaround the fort that they captured, but not the country in which I live.
Highlights how little actual power European's controlled over inland Mi'kma'ki as well as alludes to the reliance of early Europeans on friendly relations with the Mi'kmaq to maintain their presence in the territory.
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to prevent their attempting toescape, as to carry off their cattle &c
demonstrates the lack of presence the British had in Acadie at the time
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Deputies of the French inhabitants
These people identities their role in the Acadian community or what gave them the power to speak for that community is never identified.
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Receive orders from Lt Governor Lawrence in relation to the Sending off the FrenchInhabitants
No mention of whether or not the Acadians were perceived as traitors or having broken their neutrality, simply a new task to complete.
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was Surprised by the Enemy and lost 23 men killed and taken,
If this is indeed a refence to Acadians and not French soldiers it speaks volumes to the new relationship between the Acadians and the British after the beginning of the expulsion as it depicts them as if they are a hostile group of militants in direct contrast to the civilian entity as they were previously described as.
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The Chiefs come to the Fort, Offer them Peace or War. They consent to go with me toSt. John's to bring in their Tribe. Confine them to the Fort.
A significant depiction of British interaction with the Mi'kmaq locals as well as commentary on the perceived trajectory of the war at this point as thins conclusion implies that it was assumed a French loss was inevitable.
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the Peasants had left it theEvening before.
Further evidence of Acadian neutrality as they were not present for the taking of the fort on either side.
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This day's Tide several of Our Vessels attempted to get up to us from Fort Lawrence, of whichonly one Arrived, the rest were prevented by the Indians and French firing upon them from the Dykes;
A really interesting depiction of how this regions unique natural and man-made geography affected the events in the area.
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Enemy had thrown up a Breast work on the other side andseemed to have a Considerable Body of men
This appears to be an account of the engagement referenced by the tour guide at Fort Beauséjour as the French's last oppurtunity to repel the British and avoid losing the fort.
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May 26th. We arrived at Annapolis where we were joined by three Transports from Halifaxwith Stores under Convoy of the Vulture Sloop of War and the Detachment of the Train of Artillery
highlights the growing control control and usable power of the British Empire in the region with the final taking of Annapolis and the establishment/settlement of Halifax and Lunenburg by the midpoint of the 18th century.
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I received this spring a very polite letter from mr. amstrong the englishGovernor of annapolis royale in which he told me that he was verysurprised at my delay,
The fact that Le Loutre was taught the Mi'kmaq language by a fellow European as well as is in contact with many Europeans throughout the colony of Acadie serves as a reminder as to how absolute European hegemony was becoming in Mi'kma'ki at this stage.
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so harsh and barbaric is this language, the progress thatI made are very small, but they still exceeded my expectations.
By referring to the Mi'kmaq as barbaric le Loutre deflects blame from himself for not being immediately capable to being the fault of the Mi'kmaq for their culture in an example of Paternalism.
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We have three missions of Sauvages the first is called maliga8èchein Cape Breton 23 leagues from Louisbourg with natkigoneiche on the
Highlights the evolution of the missionary system in Mi'kma'ki since the days of Giard and Perrault tracking a variety of different groups across the region to now being a centralized organization with defined populations and boundaries (continuing the theme of religion being used as a method of control).
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Through the exercise of Religionit is necessary to build thema church that will cost 6000 Lnot to mention the wood, the plasterand many other thingsthat we will find on the spot
Another reference to the nature transaction inherent within this relationship and highlights how each previous reading was in some way a request and a justification for resources.
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namely 400tools for clearing the ground,two dozen sickles,Two dozen
One of the first outright references to the transactional nature of the missionaries and the French's relationship with the Mi'kmaq which has often been implied but ultimatley glossed over in previous readings.
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this will also ensurethis part of l’acadie againstenemy attacks, as allthese sauvages could stormat the right time onthose who would dare.
This is the first example where Christianization of the Mi'kmaq is clearly stated to be intended as a method of control rather than purely a moral effort. It also does away with the idea that missionaries are completely humble and unselfish in their efforts, a theme in every one of the previous readings.
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to be willing to permit her toassist with the others at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, but I refused her this favour forsome days in order thereby to make her better understand the scandal which she hadbrought upon all the nation.
Where the other reports have mostly characterized the mi'kmaq as misguided but willing to accept Christianization, this one portrays them as pliant and easily controlled, perhaps suggesting a change in European intentions in the region from purely extraction of goods alongside proselytization to more direct conquest and control.
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and that I was absolutely resolved torefuse Baptism to the Indians whom I had previously prepared to receive worthily the firstof our Sacraments.
This appears to be another example of Christian missionaries weaponizing religion as a way to control the Mi'kmaq, threatening to sever their connection to Christianity in an attempt to make them more reliant on him as the provider of salvation.
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. I cannot express to you with what ardour thesepoor Indians
An example of European Paternalism where LeClercq provides something Europeans would interpret as basic/primitive and then depicts the Mi'kmaq's use of that tool (writing) as one would describe children with a new toy.
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Moreover, the otherFrench people who live at the mentioned above residence of St-Pierre in the country ofCanceaux and Népigigouit, and all the faithful Abenakis of these latter regions are also indanger of losing their faith
De Paris predicts the hardships which the Acadians would face under British rule a century later but is wrong in his prediction that they will face forced conversion as the British would instead choose deportation as their method of subduing Acadie.
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Chaleurs to the residence of St-Pierre, in thecountry of Canceaux, within a radius of at least a hundred leagues
Much of de Paris' writing seems intended to emphasize the amount of effort and success seen by previous monk's in their missionary work and through this to portray the British protestant gains in Acadie as not only a strategic but also a great religious failure.
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I must say that the same heretics sent away another missionary, the ven. FatherBernardin de Crépy when they seized Fort St Pierre, in the region of Pentagouet. Theyembarked him on their ships and took him to Cromwell in England,
Where the previous readings focused almost solely on the religious elements at play among the Mi'kmaq with a few small references to European politics, this one seems more focused on religious conflict within Europe, especially highlighting the British as a protestant people and that being the route of their rivalry with Catholic France,
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our Sauvages at the brave exploits of the war that they hadperformed at Chichedek, in the Country of the Bersiamites, where they had killed sevenSauvages
I seems significant that this is the first account to use the term 'sauvage' implying that a concept of cultural identity and uniformity of the Mi'kmaq was becoming the norm among Europeans.
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But truly delightful it is to see, when we teach the Catechismto them, the care and the trouble that the parents take to make their children attentive, andto impress on their minds what by this means we teach them and the older ones.
The fruition of Biard's desire to halt baptisms and enforce catechism. This may be a result of my misunderstanding and unfamiliarity with Christian practice but this choice seems to imply the Missionaries are in a sense holding the souls of the Mi'kmaq hostage and only baptizing those on their deathbeds.
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Our Chapel is often toosmall to hold them all; the prayers have to be repeated at various times; and they show bytheir fervor and modesty that they relish them.
The implication of this passage is that Richard requires more resources and that it is the moral religious duty of the French government to provide him with such.
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A s for the remainder of our Sauvages,
The use of the possessive 'our' denotes control and further highlights the subtext of Richards writings which is that him and his compatriots have been entirely successful in their work as missionaries and that the Mi'kmaq are willing and compliant towards becoming Christian French subjects.
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I am sorry that I am so poor; I have neitherMoose nor Beaver to present to those Gentlemen who so greatly obliged us at our Baptism.I wish that I had something by which I might acknowledge the kindness that we havereceived, but since I have nothing else, I shall be pleased if they will deign to accept this littlepresent from me.
This passage seems purpose built to imply success of Richard's missions in Christianizing the Mi'kmaq people and as an argument for the French to continue to support his efforts. It is also an example of a European speaking for an Indigenous person (and people by proxy) in an effort to imply the benefits of Europeanization.
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and that they will not have as much difficulty asmany badly taught Christians have, to conform entirely to the injunctions of the Gospel,when it shall be declared to them in the words of the Apostle that they have to show theirmodesty in the eyes of all the world, since the Lord is near. It is true they have polygamy,and pay no attention to the indissolubility of Marriage. But we must hope that, when theycome to recognize the obligations they are under, together with all the Nations of the earth,to a God who made himself man for them, they will willingly submit to his most holy Laws,
Perrault is less actively hostile towards the Mi'kmaq than Giard is and, if we trust his words, even holds some respect for them, but that respect only goes so far as to believe that they may become good Christians and his arguments are all still inherently Eurocentric and patronizing.
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They arevery diligent and attentive to the instructions we give them; I do not know whether it isthrough complaisance, for they have a great deal of this naturally, or through an instinctfrom above, that they listen to us so willingly concerning the mysteries of our Faith, andrepeat after us, whether they understand it or not, all that we declare to them.
Perrault seems to mostly find the Mi'kmaq praiseworthy when they are acting in a way which benefits the French or when they seem accepting of accepting European culture.
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Perhaps we shalldiscover something more, when we become better versed in it; for it is not credible that thelight of nature should be altogether extinct in them in this regard,
This displays an interesting openness to accepting Indigenous culture not present in Biard's writing though it is still only done through the Eurocentric idea of Christian religious supremacy.
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As to their intelligence, if we may judge from their conduct and from their way ofdealing with the French, they are not at a great disadvantage.
This is a very different impression that that of Giard who only ever praised the Mi'kmaq to imply they were conniving against Christian missionaries. This shows how different impressions and preconceptions lead to different understandings of the Mi'kmaq.
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Their skin is naturallywhite, for the little children show it thus; but the heat of the Sun, and the rubbing with Sealoil and Moose fat, make them very swarthy, the more so as they grow older.
This is a very interesting offhand observation by Perrault as it is in direct opposition to later claims of European and white racial supremacy over indigenous peoples and acts as a reminder that early European ideas of supremacy were stringent of religion and lifestyle with ideas of racial supremacy being developed later on to suit a secular society.
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Those who have grown old upon the sea protest that they have never seen a more desirablePort, either in extent or for its facility of access. Three thousand ships could easily anchorthere, and be sheltered from every wind, in a beautiful enclosure very pleasant to look upon;for its form is circular, or nearly so.
Where Biard was making a moral religious argument for a heightened French presence in Mi'kma'ki Perrault is making a military and economic one. Not only does this document highlight the potentiality of an effective port settlement but also draws attention to the locations ability to hold 'Three thousand ships' which is a number representative of a military fleet, implying that this locale could become a stronghold for the French navy and thus foothold in the Americas, highlighting the desire to match and defend against similar English sites.
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An exception to this number was the greatMembertou, for truly he was a Christian at heart, and desired nothing better than to be ableto receive thorough instruction so he could teach the others.
An example of the 'Noble Savage' stereotype which Biard appears to be using in an attempt to justify his continued efforts in Christianization of Mi'kma'ki. By establishing the example of a single good Christian among the Mi'kmaq, Biard establishes that there is a reason to keep working towards and invest in further Christianization, which may be in doubt due to the negativity of the rest of his account.
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notabandoned, but under the watchful care of Pastors,
An example of European paternalism which characterized interactions between European powers and indigenous people wherein through religious or later secular arguments Europeans would work to infantilize indigenous people in an effort to justify their enforcement of power over those indigenous peoples.
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saying that it is good to givelife in order to take it away cruelly, which is not the act of a Father, but is worse than that ofa murderer.
An traditional religious argument for the morality of colonialism and responsibility of Europeans towards conquest and forced cultural hegemony. Echoes the very same sentiments as would be made famous by Rudyard Kipling in his claimed to be secular poem 'The White Man's Burden'.
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How then do you think that they can maintain themselves in the faith and grace of God, ifthey do not receive instruction, and twice as much of it as the others?
Highlights Biard's position that religion can only be practiced through traditional Christianity by European practitioners, dismissing both traditional Mi'kmaq systems of belief as well as any system of Christianity which conforms to a Mi'kmaq 'wandering' lifestyle. This position wherein Christianity must be practiced by all in a specifically European style constitute the same values which would lead to mass purges and attempts at forced assimilation in Mi'kma'ki as well as other regions subject to colonial Imperialism.
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whichno Christian could fail to appreciate.
appeal to the British as fellow Christians highlights the inherent hypocrisy of the Acadie deportation as one colonial power disenfranchising a population of European colonists so to further their own colonial project.
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inhabitants cannot dwellthere against the will of the sovereign, to which as Christians theymust submit without questioning.
appeal to Christian ideology of familial obligation in an attempt to align those sentiments with the equally Christian ideology of the Divine Right of Kings as representatives of God on Earth creating the manipulative implication that it is the Acadie's obligation as well as duty to respect British authority.
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