The Mi’kmaw Ecological Calendar Based on the 13 Moons
Channel: CAUL Manager
Date: 2023-04-24

CAAL-CBPA Webinar
April 24, 2023

Brought to you by the CAAL-CBPA Indigenous Knowledge Committee

Presenter: Gerald Gloade, Program Development Officer, Mi’kmawey Debert Cultural Centre

Description: The Mi’kmaw observed a 13-month annual calendar, based on the 13 times the Moon travels around the Earth each year.  Again, explaining the names of each month by use of the verb based Mi’kmaw language.  Each of the months is named after something that goes on in the Environment during that Moon period.  Pattern recognition was the key to pre-contact survival.  The movement of the Moon, and its phases, as it circled the Earth as the Earth travelled around the sun on its annual journey gave us an ever-changing view of the night sky.  Using pattern recognition and creating stories of Stars patterns that formed images in the form of Constellations.  These were indicators of time!

Biography:  Gerald is a true innovator himself, a forerunner sharing his knowledge, and raising awareness of the Mi’kmaw people, culture and heritage. Gerald is a renowned Mi’kmaw artist, and has been recognized for being chosen for the Royal Canadian Mint’s “My Canada, My Inspiration” coin design contest. Gerald honours the Mi’kmaw Nation by sharing Mi’kmaw stories, legends, archaeology and history through his many presentations with the Mi’kmawey Debert Cultural Centre.