This narrative, a cornerstone of Micmac identity, has been passed down through countless generations, a living testament to the origins of the Mikmaq people in North America. It serves as more than just a historical account; it’s a profound exploration of the relationship between the Great Spirit Creator, humanity, and the natural world. The MicMac Creation Story encapsulates a unique philosophical perspective deeply ingrained in the Native languages, cultures, and spiritual practices of the Micmaq.
The enduring legacy of the Mikmaq language, culture, and spiritualism is inextricably linked to the MicMac Creation Story. Respect for elders, the embodiment of accumulated wisdom about life and the world, empowers the Mikmaq. The resilience and vigor of their youth fuels their will to survive, while the love and trust inherent in motherhood cultivates a unique understanding of everyday existence. The MicMac Creation Story is an ever-evolving guide to existence.
The number seven holds significant symbolic weight within Micmac culture. The Micmaq territory is divided into seven distinct districts, encompassing a vast area stretching from the Gaspé coast of Quebec, through New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and into Nova Scotia. Powerful spirit medicine is derived from the barks and roots of seven different plants, meticulously combined for their potent healing properties. During sacred ceremonies in the sweat lodge, seven representatives from each Grand Council District gather to smoke the pipe and burn sweetgrass. Within the lodge, water is poured over heated rocks – seven, fourteen, and then twenty-one – creating cleansing steam. This purification ritual symbolizes rebirth, with participants offering thanks to the Great Spirit Creator, the Sun, the Earth, and the first family: Glooscap, Nogami, Netaoansom, and Neganagonimgoosisgo.
Let us now delve into the essence of the MicMac Creation Story, exploring its core elements:
ONE – GISOOLG
Gisoolg, the Great Spirit Creator, is the ultimate source of all existence. The Micmac word "Gisoolg" translates to "you have been created" or "the one credited for your existence." This term transcends gender, emphasizing that the Great Spirit is neither male nor female; the Creator’s essence lies beyond such limitations.
The Micmaq people do not speculate about the origin of the Great Spirit. They simply acknowledge that Gisoolg is responsible for the entirety of creation. Gisoolg made everything. The power of Gisoolg is unfathomable, a boundless force that shaped the cosmos and everything within it. The MicMac Creation Story begins here, with the Great Spirit.
TWO – NISGAM
Nisgam, the Sun, is the celestial body that travels in a circular path across the sky, its existence owed to Gisoolg. Nisgam is the life-giver, providing essential light and heat to the world.
The Micmaq believe that Nisgam plays a crucial role in the creation of people on Earth, acting as Gisoolg’s helper. The power of Nisgam is deeply respected among the Micmaq and other Indigenous peoples. Nisgam’s radiant energy sustains life and dictates the rhythms of the seasons. The MicMac Creation Story recognizes the vital role of the sun in the world’s creation.
THREE – OOTSITGAMOO
Ootsitgamoo represents the Earth, the land upon which the Mikmaq people walk, sharing its abundant resources with animals and plants. In the Micmac language, "Oetsgitpogooin" means "the person or individual who stands upon this surface" or "the one who is given life upon this surface of land." Ootsitgamoo encompasses the entire Micmac world, all the areas where the Micmaq people have traveled or can travel.
Ootsitgamoo was created by Gisoolg and placed at the center of Nisgam’s circular path. Nisgam was entrusted with the responsibility of watching over Ootsitgamoo, the Micmac world. As Nisgam shines its light upon Ootsitgamoo, it brings about the cycle of days and nights, shaping the environment and regulating life’s rhythms. This element of the MicMac Creation Story emphasizes the connection between the land and its people.
FOUR – GLOOSCAP
After the creation of the Micmac world, and after the animals, birds, and plants were placed on its surface, Gisoolg sent a bolt of lightning to strike Ootsitgamoo. This lightning strike formed an image of a human body out of sand. This was Glooscap, the first being shaped from the basic element of the Micmac world: sand.
Gisoolg unleashed another bolt of lightning, giving life to Glooscap. However, Glooscap was initially unable to move, stuck to the ground, only able to watch the world around him and Nisgam’s daily journey across the sky. He observed the animals, birds, and plants grow and move around him. He pleaded with Nisgam to grant him the freedom to move about the Micmac world.
While still immobile, Glooscap lay on his back, his head facing the east, where the sun rises (Oetjgoabaniag or Oetjibanoog, meaning "where the sun comes up" and "where the summer weather comes from"). His feet pointed towards the west, where the sun sets (Oetgatsenoog, Oeloesenoog, meaning "where the sun settles into a hollow," or Etgesnoog, "where the cold winds come from"). His right hand pointed north (Oatnoog), and his left hand pointed south (Opgoetasnoog). A third lightning strike finally freed Glooscap, allowing him to stand on the earth.
After standing, Glooscap turned in a full circle seven times. He looked to the sky and thanked Gisoolg for giving him life. He looked down to the earth and thanked Ootsitgamoo for providing the sand for his creation. He looked within himself and thanked Nisgam for giving him his soul and spirit.
Glooscap then gave thanks to the four directions: east, north, west, and south. In all, he offered heartfelt thanks to the seven directions.
Glooscap journeyed westward to the ocean, then southward until he reached a narrow strip of land where he could see two oceans. He returned to his starting point and traveled north to the land of ice and snow. Eventually, he returned east, where he was created. He observed the animals, birds, plants, water, and sky. Gisoolg instructed him to watch and learn about the world but not to interfere. Glooscap questioned the purpose of his existence, and Gisoolg and Nisgam assured him that he would soon meet someone. Glooscap is a pivotal character in the MicMac Creation Story.
FIVE – NOGAMI
One day, while traveling east, Glooscap encountered a very old woman. He asked her how she came to the Micmac world. The old woman introduced herself as Nogami, stating, "I am your grandmother." She explained that her existence was owed to a rock, dew, and Nisgam, the Sun. On a chilly morning, a rock in a low valley became covered with dew. By midday, the sun warmed the rock, and with Nisgam’s power, the rock was given the form of an old woman: Nogami, Glooscap’s grandmother.
Nogami told Glooscap that she arrived in the Micmac world as an old woman, already wise and knowledgeable. She explained that Glooscap would gain spiritual strength by listening to and respecting her. Glooscap, overjoyed, called upon Abistanooj, a marten swimming in the river, to come ashore. Abistanooj complied, and Glooscap asked him to sacrifice his life so that he and his grandmother could live. Abistanooj agreed. Nogami quickly snapped Abistanooj’s neck and laid him on the ground. Glooscap, concerned about upsetting the animals, asked Gisoolg to restore Abistanooj’s life.
Because of the marten’s sacrifice, Glooscap referred to all animals as his brothers and sisters. Nogami added that animals would always provide food, clothing, tools, and shelter. Abistanooj returned to the river, and another marten took his place. Glooscap and Abistanooj became friends and brothers forever.
Nogami prepared the animal for eating, gathering hot sparks from the lightning strike that created Glooscap. She placed dry wood over the coals to create a fire, which became the Great Spirit Fire, later known as the Great Council Fire.
The first meat feast was cooked over the Great Fire, or Ekjibuctou. Glooscap relied on his grandmother for survival, knowledge, and wisdom, learning to respect her. They learned to respect each other for their interdependence and continued existence. Nogami’s presence is key to understanding the MicMac Creation Story.
SIX – NETAOANSOM
One day, while walking in the woods, Glooscap and Nogami encountered a young man. He was tall, physically strong, and had grey eyes. Glooscap asked his name and how he arrived in the Micmac world. The young man introduced himself as Netaoansom, Glooscap’s sister’s son, his nephew. He claimed to be physically strong enough to run after moose, deer, and caribou and bring them down with his bare hands.
Netaoansom explained that the east wind caused the ocean waters to become rough and foamy. The foam was blown ashore onto the sandy beach and settled on the tall grass, sweetgrass, with its sweet fragrance. The sweetgrass 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 relying on his nephew’s strength and power would give him strength and understanding of the world.
Glooscap, pleased with his nephew’s arrival, called upon the salmon of the rivers and seas to come ashore and sacrifice their lives. They did not want to kill all the animals for survival, so they celebrated Netaoansom’s arrival with a fish feast, giving thanks for their existence and relying on their brothers and sisters of the woods and waters. The story of Netaoansom adds another layer to the MicMac Creation Story.
SEVEN – NEGANOGONIMGOOSEESGO
While Glooscap sat by a fire, Nogami made clothing from animal hides, and Netaoansom gathered food. A woman approached the fire, sat beside Glooscap, and asked, "Are you cold, my son?" Surprised, Glooscap stood and asked her who she was and where she came from. She explained that she was Glooscap’s mother, Neganogonimgooseesgo. Glooscap waited for his grandmother and nephew to return before asking his mother to explain how she arrived in the Micmac world.
Neganogonimgooseesgo said that she was a leaf on a tree that fell to the ground. Morning dew formed on the leaf, glistening in the sun as Nisgam began its journey toward the midday sky. At midday, Nisgam gave life and human form to Glooscap’s mother. The spirit and strength of Nisgam entered her.
Glooscap’s mother said that she brings all the colors of the world to her children, along with strength and understanding to withstand Earth’s natural forces and understand the Micmac world, its animals, and her children, the Micmaq. She emphasized the need for understanding and cooperation to live in peace with one another.
Glooscap, happy about his mother’s arrival, asked his nephew to gather nuts and fruits while Nogami prepared a feast. Glooscap gave thanks to Gisoolg, Nisgam, Ootsitgamoo, Nogami, Netaoansom, and Neganogonimgooseesgo. They celebrated Glooscap’s mother’s arrival with a feast.
The MicMac Creation Story tells that Glooscap lived with his family for a long time, gaining spiritual strength through respect for each member. He listened to his grandmother’s wisdom, relied on his nephew’s strength and spiritual power, and found dignity and respect in his mother’s love and understanding.
Glooscap’s brothers and sisters of the woods and waters provided him with the will and food to survive. He learned that mutual respect for his family and the world was key to survival. Glooscap’s task was to pass this knowledge to his fellow Micmaq people so that they too could survive in the Micmac world. This is why Glooscap became a central figure in Micmac storytelling.