The latest edition to the Towards an Encyclopedia Knowledge, Chapter III: Miawpukek which means the Middle River is presented in both English and Mi’kmaq. The book connects the findings of Indigenous and non-Indigenous artists; Pam Hall and Jerry Evans as they deepen the understanding of the reader’s knowledge of the Mi’kmaq culture. The book’s contents spread from Natural Medicines, Making Music in Mi’kmaq, “And Beading on a Loom”, along with many more topics that will enhance your knowledge. The book is published by Breakwater Books on 1st September 2022.
This book connects the Mi’kmaq people to the culture through many activities and when you are reading the book it gives you an example to reflect on. This was one of my favourite aspects of the book. I loved how I could truly put myself in the book with the support of the writing and media. Through this element of writing, anybody can picture the whole scenery, and if you don’t like reading too much, the text still has the same effect on you.
Being able to enrich my understanding of Mi’kmaq culture is such a fulfilling experience and the book made it even more special for me. I learned about so many things like, Mi’kmaq snacks, art, music, education, and so much more! But my favourite thing was learning more about the Mi’kmaw language itself through comparing and contrasting English and Mi’kmaw. Having a language that I already know to reference back to when learning a new one is so important because I can get a foundation on sentence structures and patterns in the language and the book did not fail to deliver that. Since both languages were formatted to be easily examined, learning new Mi’kmaw vocabulary words was so simple.
Some of my favourite chapters of the book include:
• Beading Business: Building with a Brick Stitch / Elapska'tekemk Ntui'skewey: Elamko'tmkl Waio'pskl
• Learning Mi’kmaq in a School of Our Own / Ekinu'tmasultiek Mi'kmaq Kina'matnewo'kuo'm-minaq
• Tracing Snowshoes with Damien Benoit / Teliaj Aqmk Damien Benoit
• Using New Technology to Reclaim an Old Language / E'wmk Technogogy Apajite'tmn Sa'qewey Tli'suti
• Traditional Ecological Knowledge: What We Did Where We Were / Ta'n Tela'taqtimks, Ta'n Eymu'k
• Knowing the Way: Guiding Then and Now / Nenmn Ta'n Elien: Nikanawtiken Ki's Sa'qek Aqq Nike'
The book featured many connections between Mi’kmaq history and the future, through chapters that focus on using technology to reclaim elements of Mi’kmaq culture. I like how the book compared different aspects of Mi’kmaq culture to how it was then and how it is now.
In summary, I give the book 5/5 stars for its unique structure and aspect of showcasing a look into Mi’kmaq culture. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn more about Mi’kmaq culture and connect to reality. It was a joy to read this book and I will deifnitely come back to it!
