Netukulimk Past and Present Report

Introduction

Netukulimk is a concept applied by the Mi’kmaq living in Canada. Netukulimk concept involved Mi’kmaq sovereign law that encompassed the culture, beliefs and practices of the community. It provided a system that controlled resources and ensured sustainability of wealth of the community. Mi’kmaq began their dominance in the 16^th century. They sold fish and enjoyed supreme control over Atlantic fishing grounds. However, their dominance ended up by the arrival of settlers in the region which led to the destitution of its inhabitants. As a result, they lost control over Atlantic fishing ground; they had to refer to hunting and gathering as a means of their survival. Despite Mi’kmaq’s alienation of Atlantic fishing ground by the settlers, they remained independent until 1960s. Mi’kmaq regained their supremacy in 1960s, when a federal licensing regime emerged and propelled the rise of Mi’kmaw nationalism.

History context of Netukulimk

Mi’kmaw treaty gave the Mi’kmaq exclusive rights to expand their rights on the fishing boundaries (that included the onshore and offshore rights), trading and hunting rights. This enabled Mi’maq to expand their fishing territory and rapidly increase their sale of fish. In 1970s Mi’kmaq grew significantly as a result of the commercial sale of fish. They became powerful and started to confiscate fishing territories of small fishing communities in Atlantic fishing ground. However, Mi’kmaq dominance faced severe resistance from other communities that led to civil wars among the fishing communities in Atlantic fishing ground. As a result of the constant war and mismanagement of the Atlantic fishing docket, Mikmaq economic power declined rapidly in the 21^st century. They lost the sovereignty they exercised in fishing and selling fish, and thus they failed to dominate the fishing industry.

Mi’kmaq Concept of Resource Stewardship

Mi’kmaq had a strong stewardship; they believed in interdependence of the environment, namely, land, water and all wildlife. They also believed in free interaction of human beings and all animals without breaking the circle of interdependence. Mi’kmaq allowed killing of animals only for food purposes. Mi’kmaq had many cultural practices that ensured interaction of people and animals prevailed. They held festivals on various occasions as a sign of respect to all animals inhabiting the area. Mi’kmaq had laid down strong rules and regulations that ensured their culture, traditions, beliefs and practices were maintained among members of the community.

Colonization

The French and the British colonized Mi’kmaq. They exerted their influence in beliefs, culture, economic and political systems of the Mi’kmaq. As a result of colonization, Mi’kmaq gradually lost their economic, cultural and political dominance and became assimilated by the French and the British. The French confiscated the fishing ground and the market that Mi’kmaq exercised control over, and led to the decline of Mi’kmaq until the 21^st century.

A case in Point

The residing of the French and the British led to decline of the Mi’kmaq resources and, consequently, resulted in the collapse. Increase of the population resulted in clearing of forest and bushes. The increase in population led to killing of animals and suffrage in the Mi’kmaq community as well.

Conclusion

Netukulimk concept still exists but has a meaning different from the original one. It means that the process through which a community sustains itself in an environment is by interacting with the resources that are available. Netukulimk concept can also infer to having enough means to survive.