Priest and Indian Agent Elect Mi'Kmaq Grand Chief

8/7/2019 Priest and Indian Agent Elect Mi'Kmaq Grand Chief

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September 1918

Translated by and Courtesy of Helen Sylliboy.

Piley lnu Saqmaw:

New Indian chief

Kaplie'l Silipay, We'koqma'q tley

Gabriel Sylliboy, Whycocomagh, he is from.

Potlotek, U'nama'kik: 8 te'sukna'q A'kist, 1918.

Chapel Island, Cape Breton, 8 as many days August, 1918.

No'kmatutk, aknutmuloq ta'n teli wli seta'newimkis tetta:

My friends, I will tell you how good St. Anne's was here

panta'sikip mawio'mi wla tepknuset newktikunitek;



it was opened gathering this moon on the first;

tujiw pa'tlia's mawio'miey pekisinkip,

then the priest for the gathering came,

aqq elp na pa kulpiw poqji pejita'pnik mimajuinu'kand then it was...started to they arrive the people

ta'nik naji alasutma'tijika, teluemk, suel etuk kaqi pejita'tij ta'n te'si'tij

those who came to they pray, it can be said, almost nearly all came so many

mimajuinu'k U'namakik na asukom te'sikl wtana. Toqo tlisip

people from Cape Breton six number reserves. So it was

weja'tekemk Kjipuktukewa'j saqmaw nekm ansema kaqi pejita'tiji

as far as Halifax's chief him exactly all they came



wji'nemum aqqq msit wnijanua. Toqo tujiw We'kapekitkewa'j lnui

his men and all their children. So at that time

saqmaw aqq wnijin aqq me'ji'nmuk; toqo Maliko'mijkewa'j saqmaw

Chief and his children and more men; so Merrigomish's chief

nekm pekisink aqq me'ji'nmuk; tujiw apj po'kemkekewa'j lnui saqmaw

him he came and more men; so again...Indian chief

elp nekm pekisink aqq pukwelkik ji'nmuk pejita'tij aqq elp wnijanuaq.

also him he came and many men came and also their children

Tujiw kaqi mawi pejita'titek mimajuinu'k; na pa nankmayiw

at that time together they came the people; so then right away



ji'nmuk mawi piskweta'pnik ta'n etli aknutmamk ekjikuo'mka,

the men together went in where it was to talk the great house,

mawa'tu'tip newkte'jk mawi wlite'taqan, aqq elp kisitu'tip mawi

they gathered one the best good idea, and also made the best

klusuaqan wsaqmawin Paksima Teni, Lnui saqamawaq wkwisl nutkwe'ka.

word to be chief Simon Denny, Indian chief (deceased) his son was young.

katu na ji'nm nutkwe'k moqwej kisi wksua'tuk nekm saqmawina,

but that man young could not take on him to be chief,

tela'lij wutja elmi kaqielitek teplekwi'tisna mu saqmawuti nekmowk

it was because his father on the way to being gone had decreed that thechieftainship they



wsua'tunewa. Katu me'kweji kikajiatipn kisiku'ka amuj

would not take. But more they tried the elders he has to

wsaqmawilina. Katu pa'tlia's pipanimutek ta'n teli mtue'k wen

to become chief. But the priest when he was asked on how difficult for one

sekwiska'toq kespaqnutmamkewey wjit wunki'kwil teluet mawi mtue'k

to be broken his last word for his parent's word most difficult

kisi suiska'tasin ta'n wen teli kespi tpelutekeja. Na nuku kisiku'k

for it to be broken that one how last he has decreed. So then the elders

kaqma'tu'tij elekemkeweya, aqq e'tasiw newkte'jit ji'nm weja'lut

put up the throwing game, and each man was chosen from



te's lnui wtana U'namakika, Potlotek Ekian Paul weji emknut,

each Indian reserve in Cape Breton, Chapel Island Steven Paul came to bechosen

Malikewetik S'ak Nuel Jo, We'koqma'q Kaplie'l Silipay, Waqmitkuk

Isaac Noel Joe, Whycocomagh Gabriel Sylliboy, Nyanza

Isato'l Pielaw, Kjikank Jo' Ma'sl, Eskisoqnik Plansue Ku'l.

Isadore Pierro, Sydney Joseph Marshall, Eskasoni Frank Gould.

Na'elekemkewey pemiaqip tapukunitek ni'soqo nesukunitek 11 ajietek

So the throwing game went from the second day till the fourth day 11 o'clock

wela'kw; tujiw ankaptemkl kiljaqana; We'koqma'qewa'j keptin

at night, then when it was looked at the counting; Whycocomagh's Captain

Kaplie'l nekm kespu'tuet, asukuom te'siskeksijik jel ukmuljin elia'ta'tji;



Gabriel him he won, 60 were in number and 7 were made;

na nekm nikej lnui saqmaw mi'kma'kika, kwlaman ninen

so him now Indian chief of Mi'kmaq land, so us

U'nama'kik tleyawiek kekunmek mawi wlita'simka nemi'kej na ji'nmCape Breton belong we had the best good thoughts when we saw this man

saqmawija, mita na kisiku mawi ulkmiksit aqq nilaje'k aqq mawikenat

become chief, because this elder the best character and prepared andstrongest

wjit na lukuaqana.

for this work.

Toqo tujiw kutjinu pa'tlia's pekisink nesukunitek elmi wla'kwek,

So then our father the priest came on the fourth the following evening,



aqq eksitpu'k newkunij meski'k alame's elitoq, toqo piley lnui

and on the morning of the fifth big mass he make, and so the new chief

saqmaw metal naso'tluj metgelpukua'sit kikjiw patkwi elasutmaqaniktuk;

the chief's medal was put on him, he knelt down near the altar;

aqq kutjinu lnui pa'tlia's kekina'muajl aqq welimajl,

and our father the Indian priest taught him and said good things about him,

Matio Plansue aqq ktik saqmaw etui kaqamijik kekuna'tijl

Matthew Francis and other chiefs on either side they stood they had

kiwkto'qu a'papi'l aqq Matio elp kelulasnl saqmal, toqo nuji nto'q

the circle rope, and Matthew also spoke to the chief, so those who usuallysing



ketapekiejik alasutmaqan, Kjisaqmaw wsitawi'tui'n ntelekeminen.

they sang a prayer, God save our King.

Tujiw kaqia'q alame's ta'n te'sit wen teko'tk na msit

Then when it was over the mass all those who stayed so everybody

weskaqeltemi'tij saqmawi pesemkeweya, aqq muska'tua'tij ta'n

they kissed the chief's crucifix, and they showed how

telki'k ksaltimkewey iknmua'tij lnui saqmala. Toqo tujiw na

big their love they give to the new Indian chief. So then that

na'kwek pa'tlia's etli nsituapukuet aklasie'wi'sit Rev. D. Gillis,

day the priest who gives wise talk spoke English, Rev. D. Gillis,



wejietaq kjipa'tlia'sewa'kik nalikitkuniejka, mawi ntawi

he came from Bishop's in Antigonish, the best know how

nsituappukuet,na (kikna'mukuma) mawi wlimatka mi'kmaqa lnu'ka, aqq

to give wise talk, so (he taught them) the best he said of them Mi'kmaqIndians and

weskutkek ta'n teli sa'q weji pkutamkiaq saqmawuti U'nama'kika.

he talked about on how long it began from chieftainship in Cape Breton.

Toqo tapu ajietek na na'kwek tujiw tewa'ltimkip tewa'lut kukmijinu

So two o'clock that day when it was brought out she was taken ourgrandmother

Se'tana, na nuji ntu'ti'tijik weji pkuji ntu'tipenik lamikuomk

Saint Anne, those who usually sing from there started to sing from the inside



alasutmuokuoma mi'soqo na kunty mikwite'tmaqaney eteka,

of the prayerhouse until that stone to remember by is

tapusitki'k ki's sa'q aniapsuinukuik pa'tlia'skik pekisinkisenika,

two of them already longtime penitent preists came,

toqo elukomi'tis puksukl mawo'tun na na'te'l toqo nukwa'tuna, na pa

then ordered that logs be gathered there so they can be burned, so then

teliaqsep, aqq kis nukwaqek puksukl poqji alasutmamkis misoqo

it happened, and when they burned the logs they started to pray until

kaqoqtek elp kaqiaqsip ta'n teli alasutmamk na na'te'la. 1857 Anno

it burned out and it was over how to pray there. 1857 in the year



Domini eluiknek te'sipunkekek wtejk kisi saqmawitek Plansue Tuma

of Our Lord, 7 years behind when he became chief Frank Thomas

teluisisenaq lnui saqmawaq U'nama'kik na tujiw mikuaptiksip na t'an

was his name Indian chief of Cape Breton. It was then he noticed that

puktew ika'tu'tis nekla aniapsuinukuik kujinaqi'k tujiw nekla

fire they put those penitent our fathers ever since this

saqmawaq mikwite'kis aji espa'tun na na'te'la tujiw elukomis

chief could remember to make it more esteemed it was then he ordered

kwilasin kuntey ta'n sapukuan ekwitka aqq pekisutasikek elukomis

to search for the rock that in water it was submersed and when it was

brought he asked

klujiewey wskijipukwa'tasina aqq mawi piska'tasina aqq na'te'l tujiw



a cross be placed on top and together...and there then

la'tasin kukmijimu Se'ta'n te's tewa'lujela. Nike'j tujiw na'te'l

she will be brought our grandmother Saint Anne everytime she is taken out.Now then there

pejit'amkek kujinu lnui pa'tlia's eli nsetuapukuep aqq welutkip

when they came our father Indian priest went he preached and said goodthings about

ta'n koqoey tele'k te's kukmijinu Se'ta'n tewa'luja, aqq eltamkipthat thing happens each time our grandmother St. Anne is taken out, andthey went

Se'ta'n wplaqanek, wkwat weskaqeltemup, pkitnemasuti nespia'ti'tip

to St. Anne's lap, her foot was kissed, a share given out while it was going on



mimajuinu'k. Kaqi kiskajo'ltimkek, tujiw apj eli apajita'mkip

the people. Finished getting ready, then again went back again

alasutmuo'kuoma; nuji ntu'tijik alasutmaqan jipkelmulek apaji

to prayerhouse, those who usually sing prayer great worship back

nut'tip mi'soqo lamikuo'mk. Kaqi apaji piskweta'mkek tujiw

they sang until inside. Finished return going in until

elat'mkip patkwi alasutmaqaniktuk weska'qeltmeksip sape'wik

they went to the altar it was kissed the holy

waqantem kekmijinu A'na. Na teli kaqiaqsip tewa'ltimkeweya.

bone of grandmother St. Anne. That is how it was over going out.

Mawi pikwelkaq mimajuinuaq peji teko'tkaq, newitki'k pa'tlia'ski'ka



Most many people came to stay with, four priests

skemtuk etuk mimajuinukuik na'tami teluemk etuk suel ta'pu pitui

so it was maybe people somewhere it can be said almost near two thousand

mtlnaqannitki'k maw wapo'ltitka. Aqq mawi wantaqtekek mawio'mia,including the white ones. And most quiet gathering

moquej etuk wenaq ketkiekaq ktuteminua, aqq mawi pkwelki'k

not even maybe someone was drunk of our friends, and most many

ko'qmanaki'k peji seta'newultitki'k, 477 te'sitki'k

of our relatives came to St. Anne's, 477 in number

kemnie'wultitki'k, maw mijua'ji'jk piltui ila'lujika nekmow 40 te'sijika.

received Communion, including children getting First Communion them 40 innumber.



Na'nukunitek tepknuset, amskwes elukutimkek, teliaqip kisalme'sikek

On the 5th day of the month, on Monday, it happened there after Mass

tujiw mimajuinu'k wenaqa'tu'tip salitey lnui Sa'n Tenio'q

then people put up an auction for Indian John Denny

wtapoqnemasutim telawtikek ika'qek $11. Skemtuk e'pitaq eli

his help was amounted came to $11.00 And for that woman

npekenaq Potlotek Sa'npatist Pla'spe'l wikmaja nekm wtapoqonmasutim

who died in Chapel Island John Battiste Prosper's partner her help was

telawtik ika'q $7.50. Skemtuk mijua'ji'jaq etli npkaq na'te'la

amount came to $7.50 and for that child who died there



kisiku Lu't Pa'l wnijana jipuktuk tleya telawtik nekm wsaliteyim

elder Ruth Paul's child in Halifax belonged amount of his auction

$10.00 Aqq kisiku nekemewey ika'tu'tip kiknaqSe'ta'n Potloteka na sumalkia.

$10.00 and the Elder him he put in our chouse St. Anne in chapel Island that

Asukuom te'sukunitek tujiw apj kisiku'k mawi piskueta'pni'k

On the seventh day then again the elders together went in

Kjikuomk ta'n etlaknutmamka eltu'tip mawi kelusuaqan wjit ta'n teli

The Great House where there are discussions they made together word onhow

Kisi pukua'laten keptina, ta'ni piley lnu saqamaw apoqonmajia, aqq

They can be stood the captains, those the new Indian chief will be helped by,and



kisa'tasik mawi wlite'taqan wjit mawi klusuaqaniktuk Antle Elek

It was made the best thought for all in words Andrew Alex

Putu's apaji msenk Potolek tley; skemtuk Paksima Pask kjikeptin

Speaker return he caught it from Chapel Island he belongs, Simon BasqueGrand Captain

We'koqma'q tley, So'sep Ekian keptin Potolek tley, Sa'n Nuel Teni

From Whycocomagh, Joseph Stevens captain Chapel Island he belongs, JohnNoel Denny

Keptin Malikewe'jk, Plansue Pielaw keptin Waqmatkuk, Plansue Ku'l

Captain Maligowatch, Frank Pierro Nyanza, Frank Gould

Keptin Eskisoqnik; skemtuk kjikan kunteyiktuk alsusuti nekte

Captian Eskasoni; simply from the town of the rock of authority



Telipukuik. Kaqikisipukueta'titek keptina tujiw lnui saqamaw Matio

It remains the same. When they finished standing the captains then IndianChief Matthew

Plansue Malikuomijkewa'j etlewistoqop Kjikuomk weskutkip ankaptmn

Francis of Merrigomish talked in the Big House he talked about seeing

Mi'kmawaji ta'n te'sit weji wkutkepisit na mawi pukteminu kte'k

All the Mi'kmaq however many…..so all our fire when cold

Potlotek Una'maki mawa'tasin suliewey wjit ta'n teli kisi

Chapel Island Cape Breton be collected the money on how it can be

Pkwateltisnu wklujiem mikuite'temaqaney Ksaqamaminuaq, Sa'n Teni

We can buy his cross to be remembered by Our Grand Chief John Denny





Ke'kwe'k kmtniktuk ta'n teli wisunkasik Kalpe'l; kujinu lnui

On top of mountain that which is named Calvary, our father Indian

Pa'tlia's eli wije'wep. Poqtamkita'mkek lamikuomk alasutmuo'kuomk

Priest he also went with them. When they started out inside the prayerhouse

Weji pkuji alasutmamkip aqq nuji alasumat nekm kujinal iknmatip

From there started to pray and usual he prays him our father had given him

Wnikani alasutman e'wmn elasutmaqan ta'n teley klujiewey awtiktuk

To be first to pray he can use the prayer that belongs to the cross road

Teleya; aqq teliaqip, te'sek klujiewe'jl te's nenkita'mk mi'soqo

Belongs; and it happened, all of the crosses each time to stop at until



Ta'n tett meski'k klujiewey kaqmik ke'kwe'k kmtniktuka. Na'te'l

That where the big cross stands on top of the mountain. There

Pejita'mkek, tujiw kujinu lnui pa'tlia's etli nsituapukuet kikjiw

When they came, then our father the Indian priest there he preached near

Klujieweyiktuka paqinestmn ta'n tele'ksip klujiewey awtia aqq

The cross he understood everything on what happened at the cross road and

Teplutkip ta'n koqoey ela'luek elue'wutiktuka na na'te'l teli

He decreed on what will take you into sin that there how

Puna'tuna, jel wekaw puktewijk elui'tmasultinew winuik aqq

You stop doing, even including fire water they will swear by and

Tela'taktitki'k wskwijinu'kuik elita'mkip klujiewey weskaqeltmkip

They did this the people when to go to the cross to be kissed





Wsutukuni wsekewita'suti teli msaqmasik mekwayik wtininewaqa.

....to smile about how it laid down in the midst of their bodies.

Na etliaqsip mawio'mi Potlotek U'nama'kik.

This happened at the gathering at Chapel Island.

Nike'j pasik aknimkik ta'n te'sijik kis malie'wultijika.

Now only I will tell about how many were able to get married.

Kaplie'l Klimu kisi malie'wit aqq e'pite's Matle'n Jo skemtuk Pie'l Patist

Gabriel Cremo was able he marry and young girl Madeline Joe simply PeterBattiste

Aqq Plsit Mise'l, skemtuk Plansue Kapo aqq Anije'n Plaspe'l.

And Bridget Michael, simply Frank Cabot and Annie Jane Prosper.



Na'namset. Ni'n mawio'mi nuji wi'kiket.

That was it. Me gathering usually the one who writes.

Pikwelkl alame'sl wikmutemeksepenl. Ke'j eta Plansue Tumaoq

Many were the masses we asked for. Even the late Frank Thomas

Tapuakikewey winijin iknmaji, Mise'l Plansueo'q $6.50 elp winijn

The second of his children gave to him. Late Michael Francis $6.50 hischildren

Iknmaji, Ja'li, Po'leto'q $3. Antle Elikal iknmajl nujo'limitek

Gave to him, late Charles Poulette $3.00. For Andrew Alex it was given to himto handle

Wmakimek Potlotek, Mise'l Jo $2. iknmajl wte'piteml, Pelin Pa'loq ap

His ground Chapel Island. Michael Joe $2.00 was given to him by his wife, lateBella Paul



$2. iknmajl wtusl Mali A'nal Nuel Pa'loq app $2. wtusl iknmajl elp

$2.00 was given by her daughter Mary Ann. Late Noel Paul his daughter gaveto him also

Eta Sa'n Pla'spe'l wte'pitema mesnik $4. wjit apje'jkl alame'sl aqq

John Prosper's late wife she got $4.00 for a small mass and

Silipay Jo wikutk newte meski'k nekm wtapoqonmasutim. App ktekl

Levi Joe asked for one mass him to be of help to him. And other

Apje'jkl alame'sl kaqaiskl aqq alasutmaqaniktuk ika'lut Sala

Small masses many times and into prayer he be put late Charles

Na'kuto'q ta'naq nepknaq Maine 29 tes set tepk aqq wutkutalutaq

Knockwood who had died in Maine 29 of the month and was buried on





Wkwisl iknmasnl Plansueal aqq Ja'li Poleto'q Pasamayal iknmasnl:

Son was given to him by Frank and late Charlie Poulette Benajamin gave forhim.

111 pa'qapukua'tisni'k.

111 had gone to Confession.

Piktuk elp mawi alasutmamkis weja'tekemk kweltamultimkl 16 te's.

In Pictou also all there was prayer from as far as Friday the 16th date.

Mi'soqo 19 te's. 132 pa'qapukua'tisni'k. Kolipie Pa'loq nepkaq 16

Until the 19 date. 132 went to Confession. Late Albert Paul died on 16

Te's aq wutkutalutaq ketui ekntie'wimkek 17 te's; salitey

Date and was buried going to be Sunday 17 date, the auction

Elukwatasiksip aq lnui pa'tlia's iknmus $5, aqq ktik alame's



Was made and the Indian priest was given $5.00 and the other mass

Elitoqsip amskwes elukutimkek. Ekintie'wimk mawi msiki'ksip

He made first work day. Sunday the most biggest

Alasutmaqan, pikwelkik aklasie'wk teko'tmi'tis, maw ta'n nujo'tkPrayer, many white men stayed with it, even those serving

Kasawo'qey lukuaqan, jel aklasie'w ministl; 6 te's. patlia'sk

Steel work, even white man minister; 6 date the priests

Teko'tmi'tis aqq ne'sijik maw kaqmisnik patkwi alasutmaqaniktuk

They stayed with and three of them also stood by the altar prayer

Wjit kmnie'wuksimk; R.K. McIntyre eta aqq H.J. Mac Donald

For giving communion; R. K. McIntyre and H.J. Mac Donald





Shubenacadie, August 5, 1918 -

Lo'q welaptmekl mtawekenji'jl wejiaql lnui pa'tlia'sewiktuk, msit

Overall we liked the look of little flags which came from the Indian priest'splace, all

Wen walaptikl, kiaskiw ika'ql ta'n tujiw menuekemkl. Meski'kek

Everybody liked the looks, slowly they came in when they were wanted. Itwas big

Alasutmamkek ekntie'wimkek alasme'sek eskitpukewaka, etuk 75 The praying on Sunday mass in the morning, maybe 75

Te'sijik ta'nik kisi kmnie'wultijika aqq kisi miawla'kwek tujiw

In number who received Communion and after the midday meal then

Pesmkewewey tewa'lut Se't Ana aqq pikwelkik mimajuinu'ka aqq ne'kaw



The statue was taken of St. Anne and many people and all along

Nujinen pa'tlia's tekweyinamek. Aqq meski'k suliewey mawa'tasiksip

Our father priest stayed with us. And big money was gathered.

Wjit alasutmuo'kuom, kisi mawkitemeksip telawtik $599.37. Ni'n N.M.For the prayerhouse, it was gathered it cost $599.37. Me...

Amlamkuk, kwesawe'k - luiewimkewy tepkenuset 23-26 tlisip mawi

..., on the point...on the moon 23-26 all

Alasutmamkek, kukmijinu tews'lus ekntie'wimkek 25 te'sukna'q meski'k

Were in prayer 130 went to Confession. Big mass was made

Wjit Saqamaw Teni wkwisji'ja aqq wo'kmaa.



for Chief Denny's sons and his relatives.

Suzanne Patles

March 30 at 10:43pm · Like · Report

B.D.> This was the saddest day of Lnu history 1918.. Alex MacDonald andfather Paccifique Lnuwisitew with the Indain agents divised this Election of the Grandchief..The six Candidiates where: Joe C Marshall Membertou..FrankGould ESkasoni..Stephen Paul Samuel Joe Malagawatch aq Isadore PierroWa'kopaq aq Gaberial Sylliboy Whycocomagh..he was 44 yrs old .. Father

Pacifique did the spiritual induction by the church..I can see why they didn'tchoose Frank Gould he was very good reader of the Lnapskul aq wapnaqknn?he also was there when he did the neskawet for our traditional mawiomil..Icant believe this 400 yrs of Alliance with tthe church..the only time we hadpriest do mass was Chapel Island.. most of our Grandparents we're marriedoff in Chapel Island..all of them werent married from the church.. they weretoqpukuwalujik (Married) from John Denny GrandChief..the first mass everdone by a priest in Eskasoni was 1949 for lnu'k.. there was a small churchnear consebok river in 1800's .. this had few houses and it was PaptistChurch..remember folks!! all the Lnu songs we sing today are paptist.. thanksto Rand and Peter Christmas in Eskasoni.. he also did the bible in Lnu..

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Priest and Indian Agent Elect Mi'Kmaq Grand Chief