Our Maine Street's Aroostook Issue 28 : Spring 2016 | Page 32

stores has made it harder for Micmacs
to stay connected with the spiritual part
of their culture. Another difference
is that past generations obtained
drinking water straight from rivers
and streams. Today, Nevin knows that
this isn’t possible because of potential
contamination in those same rivers.

and Peter-Paul recently met with
other Micmac tribal chiefs in Canada
to discuss future plans for economic
development. They want to create
more job opportunities.

“It keeps them off of welfare and social
security,” Nevin says. “They finally feel
that they’re doing something for their
“It does make you sad when you think families and then their family ensures
about it,” Nevin says. “The Creator that they live easier.”
never created this place for us to destroy.
It was for us to live here in peace and Both Nevin and Peter-Paul want
harmony and to have an understanding to expand the cultural center in the
of how to live here. It was never meant future. This would include putting in
to be dominated, for all the stuff to be a historical timeline that begins with
the first Micmacs and ends with the
extracted from it.”
current year. Peter-Paul hopes to learn
Each artifact display case in the museum more about Micmac history to benefit
includes written explanations of the the tribe and anyone else who wants to
historical meaning behind the artifacts. learn.
As cultural director, Nevin can further
explain that history to people who tour “What I would like them to take away
is a small understanding of the people
the museum.
that we are and the people that we
“I think it’s a great teaching tool,” were,” Peter-Paul says.
Nevin says. “They’ll know that we keep
acknowledging our ancestors and talk Having a timeline in the museum may
about that oral tradition to keep that not happen for a while. But in the
meantime, Peter-Paul and Nevin hope
going.”
to keep their historical timeline moving
The preservation of Micmac culture forward. Like the small Aroostook
does not just occur at the museum. County communities that surround
The Aroostook Band of Micmacs is them, the Micmac culture can
the only band of Micmacs in the U.S. persevere thanks to knowledge of past
This makes it more challenging for generations and members of the public
tribal members to stay connected with who take the time to visit the museum.
Micmac tribes in Canada. Nevin hopes
to bridge the language, cultural and
spiritual gaps between the two groups.
“Language is culture and with culture
there’s history,” Nevin says. “Which
is why it’s so important that we really
phase away with what people think
about who we are.”
One of the ways that the Micmacs
hope to change people’s perspectives
about the Micmacs is to return to
being a self-sufficient tribe and rely
less on government programs. Nevin
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SPRING 2016