TAQAMKUK SAQAMA'Q. CHIEFS OF TAQAMKUK

Taqamkuk Mi'kmaw, according to our elders, selected their leader in a unique way. They did not select them by secret ballot in elections, they had only male Saqamaw and the people selected him by looking at the man's character. Also contrary to European belief, the position of Saqamaw was not hereditary, even though our historical SAQAMAWS came from pretty much the same families.

The prime character trait was, "if he was more Mi'kmaq". This is interpreted today to mean that he spoke the language well, "acted" like a Mi'kmaw, and probably practiced and defended the Mi'kmaw way. A man did not have to "run" to be Saqamaw. People "just knew" who the Saqamaw was.

When selected, he served as Saqamaw for life. The following are recognised by the Mi'kmaw as being SAQAMAW OF ALL TAQAMKUK. This is different from the newer poistion of "community Saqamaw" which came into vogue in later years.

MAURICE LOUIS, reportable at the age 45, was selected this way in 1860 and was appointed Saqamaw of all taqamkuk (Newfoundland) by Grand Saqamaw Denys from Unma'ki (cape Breton). Borrowing probably from some French tradition, he was given a gold medal as a sigh of his position.

JOE BERNARD, was similarly selected to be Saqamaw until Ruben Louis, Maurice's son was old enough. He served his people from 1880 to 1900.

RUBEN LOUIS, was appointed Saqamaw in 1900. He served his people until his death sometime around 1918.

NOEL JEDDORE, born in 1863 was appointed Saqamaw in 1918 until Andrew Joe. was old enough. Around this time the position of Saqamaw had become pretty well entrenched to be that of a prayer leader, instead of as a political or dispute settler leader. Noel became Saqamaw and according to an affidavit sighed by him, he recognised that hos office would last until Andrew was old enough. The people looked to Noel as Saqamaw and treated him as such. Later, some local residents caused some serious misunderstanding between Noel and Father St. Croix, the priest of the day, and Noel was forced into exile in 1945. He was the last "official" Saqamaw of Taqamkuk for the longest time.

At this time also only the true Mi'kmaq and some of the elder settlers respected the office of Saqamaw. The position of Saqamaw was never "officially" filled until 1975, but for the record the "Unofficial" Saqamaw for the following years were as followers.

ANDREW JOE, Saqamaw to be was never officially appointed as Saqamaw. After Saqamaw Noel's exile, the office of Saqamaw was all but ignored, except by the Jeddore's and Joe's.

JOE JEDDORE, Saqamaw Noel's brother, was looked upon by the Mi'kmaw as Saqamaw or prayed leader after Saqamaw Noel went into exile. However, he was never officially appointed to the position of Saqamaw either. It was Joe Jeddore that lead the prayers in his own home when there was no priest in the community.

PETER FRANCIS JEDDORE. Saqamaw Noel's son was looked upon as Saqamaw after his Uncle's death. Again, he was never "Officially appointed". He served his people until his death

in 1970's

.

(The office of Saqamaw remained vacant to 1980, as the newer title of Community Saqamaw (Chairman, Mayor) came into vogue)

WILLIAM JOE, Saqamaw Andrew's son as Community Saqamaw in 1975, following in the steps of John N. Jeddore and Miawpukek's first Community Saqamaw of Innu descent, Walter John, and re-elected in 1976. During his term the Miawpukek Mi'kmaw decided that the position of Saqamaw would once again follow the traditional Mi'kmaw way. This meant Saqamaw Joe was Saqamaw for life. He was "Officially" appointed Saqamaw by Grand Saqamaw Donald Marshall in 1980.

MISEL JOE, continuing to follow tradition, with the slight departure of using secret ballot, was selected Saqamaw in 1982. He serves as Saqamaw for all of Taqamkuk, and presently also serves as the elected "Community Saqamaw" of Miawpukek First Nation.