Noel Jeddore facts for kids

Noel Joseph Jeddore, also known as We’jitu, was an important leader of the Mi'kmaq people. He was born on December 18, 1865, in Indian Point, Newfoundland. He became a Saqamaw, or grand chief, of the Mi'kmaq at Miawpukek. This community is located in Bay d'Espoir, on the south coast of Newfoundland. Noel Jeddore served as chief from 1919 until 1924. He passed away on May 14, 1944, in Eskasoni, Cape Breton.

Who Was Saqamaw Noel Jeddore?

The name "Jeddore" comes from We’jitu Isidore. He was a Kji-Saqamaw, or grand chief, of the Mi’kmaq. His leadership covered areas like New Brunswick, Newfoundland, and Nova Scotia.

Before the 1876 Indian Act, the Mi'kmaq people were led by the Grand Council. This council was called Santé Mawiómi. It had representatives from seven different districts in Mi'kma'ki.

Noel Jeddore became chief after Reuben Lewis. Reuben Lewis was elected chief in 1900. As chief, Noel Jeddore was given a special gold medal. This medal was a symbol of his important role. It had been passed down from earlier chiefs.

A priest named St. Croix later removed Chief Noel Jeddore from his position in 1924. This priest also changed some of the traditional ways the community was governed.

The Role of a Mi'kmaq Chief

Chiefs like Noel Jeddore helped settle disagreements. For example, they made decisions about hunting areas. Their decisions were final and respected by the community.

Noel Jeddore was known as Saqamaw Jeddore or Geodol. People in Miawpukek, also called Conne River, knew him well.

A writer named John Guille Millais visited Newfoundland in 1905-1906. He wrote about the Jeddore family and other Mi'kmaq people. Millais noted that Joe Jeddore acted as a "high priest" during Christmas. This happened when a Catholic priest was not available in Conne River.

Life at Miawpukek First Nation

Miawpukek was first used as a summer camp. In the 1760s, Jeannot Pequidalouet helped create a permanent settlement there. This allowed the Mi'kmaq to live in one place year-round.

Under Chief Jeddore's leadership, the Mi’kmaq in Bay D’Espoir lived quite separately. This helped them keep their language strong. They also continued their traditional ways of life. They were hunter-gatherers and trappers. This meant they hunted animals and gathered plants for food. They also trapped animals for their fur to trade.

The wild areas of southern Newfoundland had many small animals. These included fox, muskrat, and beaver. Thousands of caribou also lived in the forests and open lands.

Moving to Permanent Communities

Before the 1800s, the Mi'kmaq often moved between Newfoundland and Cape Breton. They followed the seasons and animal movements. Later, they started to live in permanent communities. These included St. George's Bay and Miawpukek in Bay d'Espoir.

In 1907, John Guille Millais wrote about his visits to Newfoundland. He shared positive observations about the Jeddore family. He also wrote about other Mi'kmaq people in Conne River.

Another explorer, William Cormack, traveled through Newfoundland in 1822. He had a Mi'kmaq guide named Joseph Sylvester from Miawpukek. These accounts helped people learn about the lives of the Newfoundland Mi'kmaq.

Challenges for the Community

In 1908, Newfoundland Governor William MacGregor visited Bay d'Espoir. He reported that life was becoming harder for the Mi'kmaq. Railways, mills, and new settlers were moving into their lands. This caused natural resources to become scarce.

MacGregor noted that the Mi'kmaq were mainly hunters and trappers. They did not farm, fish, or work on boats. They had to pay high prices for supplies like tobacco, gunpowder, and shot. They sold their furs locally to buy other goods.

The governor observed that the Mi'kmaq were healthy and resourceful. They were also self-sufficient and rarely argued. They did not use alcohol often. However, he worried about their future on the reserve. He noted that the role of chief was not passed down through families. Instead, the community chose the person they preferred.