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Links Index
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LINKS to Mi'kmaq History and other related sites
Legend has it that Glooskap was the first Mi'kmaw the GREAT SPIRIT Creator *GISU'LK* put on this earth. According to our Elders, the story of Creation begins as GISU'LK travels through a dark empty world spreading light, and thus understanding, in its wake in the form of stars and shiney new worlds.
GISU'LK is the Supreme Spiritual Being from which all of Creation originates. The word GISU'LK (gis - oolk) means the one who has created us all. GISU'LK is the Great Spirit, a motivating force for creativity, life and survival. Other related Mi'kmaq words are GISITU (gis - ee - du) which means ~ I have made or I created; GIS'SUT'M (gis - soo - dm) which means I have said so or I have decided; GELU'LK (geh - lool - k) which means ~ it is good or this is good. (An interesting note for this word GELU'LK, is that it also means GISU'LK has spoken to us, ie; geluluksiiqw).
NISGAM, our Grandfather Sun in the sky was created next to provide the light and the warmth which were necessary for growth and life. The Mi'kmaq word for Grandfather is Nisgamii (nis - gum- ee), also my grandfather ~ nisgamij, your grandfather ~ gniskamij, our grandfather ~ gniskamijinu - all contain that basic root word Niskam. One other Mi'kmaq word which is similar to Nisgam is ~ gisninamk and it also means ~ the one who created us.
UTSITQAMU or ~ the world was then created and it was a place where all living things flourished and found nourishment. Utsitqamu cared for her childern of creation much like a mother cares for her young and thus today, we say *Mother Earth*. UTSITQAMU also means ~ the place where we all stand on top of ~ and is related to the word WESKITPUGUWI. Older Mi'kmaq words like UTSKITQAMU are spelt a little different than UTSITQAMU as a result of more slang being used in the Mi'kmaq language.
GLOOSKAP, was the first Mi'kmaq Person created according to our Elders. The spelling differs from place to place (ie; Glooscap, Glu'skap, Gelu'skp, etc). GLOOSKAP was said to have been created on the banks of river and molded together by the Creators own hands from the RED CLAY nearby. GISU'LK created life within GLOOSKAP by sending lightening from the sky as he lay there on the river-banks. And with the help of the GrandFather NISKAM (providing the life-giving rays of the sun), and UTSITQAMU (for the air, the water inside the clay and earth), GLOOSKAP came to life. It is said that GISU'LK spoke to GLOOSKAP to bring him to life ~ hence his name (Gelu'skp also means ~ he spoke to you).
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