Norman Sylliboy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Norman Sylliboy
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| 11th Grand Chief of the Mi'kmaq | |
| In office 1 August 2019 – present |
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| Preceded by | Benjamin Kji Saqmaw Sylliboy |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Cape Breton Island,  Nova Scotia |
| Nationality | Canadian  |
| Height | 175 cm (5 ft 9 in) |
| Spouse |
Arlene Sylliboy
(m. 1982) |
| Children |
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| Parents |
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| Relatives | Gabriel Sylliboy (grandfather) |
| Occupation | Social worker |
Norman Sylliboy is an important leader for the Mi'kmaq Nation. He is the 11th Grand Chief, also known as Kji-Saqmaw. The Mi'kmaq have a traditional government called the Sante' Mawio’mi, or Grand Council.
Norman Sylliboy was chosen as Grand Chief in 2019. This happened two years after the passing of the previous Grand Chief, Ben Sylliboy. Interestingly, Norman Sylliboy's grandfather, Gabriel Sylliboy, was also a Grand Chief, elected way back in 1918.
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Early Life and Background
Norman Sylliboy was born on a Mi'kmaq reserve called Eskasoni First Nation. This reserve is located in Unamaꞌki, which is Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia. He grew up in a family rich with Mi'kmaq culture and traditions. His family even owned the first store on the island Mniku in Potlotek in over forty years. Before becoming Grand Chief, he worked as a social worker. He helped families and children through Mi’kmaw Family and Children Services of Nova Scotia.
Becoming Grand Chief
Norman Sylliboy was chosen to be the Grand Chief of the Mi’kmaq on August 1, 2019. He took over from his father, Ben, who had passed away two years earlier. The selection process for Grand Chief happened at St. Anne's Mission. This mission is located in Potlotek First Nation, on Chapel Island, Nova Scotia. The Grand Council members went through several rounds of voting. In the end, they all agreed and chose Sylliboy as their new leader.
"I want to thank Niskkam (God-Creator). Thank the Grand Council for having faith in me and I want to thank all my family and their family in me. I want to thank Mi’kmaq Nation, from the bottom of my heart I want to thank each and everyone one of you."
Leading During COVID-19
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Grand Chief Sylliboy played a key role. He worked with other leaders, like then-Chief Paul Prosper of the Paqꞌtnkek First Nation. He also worked with then-Premier Stephen McNeil. Together, they strongly encouraged everyone to stay home. Their main goal was to protect the health of elders and other people who were more at risk in the community.
Supporting the Mi'kmaq Language
Grand Chief Sylliboy has been a strong supporter of the Mi'kmaq language. The Mi'kmaq Language Act is a special law that makes Mi'kmaq an official language in Nova Scotia. This law was first announced in October 2021 by then-Minister of L’nu Affairs Karla MacFarlane. There are plans to do even more to help promote the language. This is important because fewer people are speaking Mi'kmaq today.
Grand Chief Sylliboy shared his thoughts on this:
"The governments of the past attacked us through our language when our children were punished for speaking it, but despite all of the efforts to destroy it, our language is still here and we are still here, and that shows our resilience as a people."
This quote shows how important the language is to the Mi'kmaq people's strength and history.
Personal Life
Norman Sylliboy married Arlene Sylliboy on May 22, 1982. They have seven children together. They are also proud grandparents to ten grandchildren.
