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 the 11th Grand Chief of the Mi'kmaq Nation. The Grand Chief is the main leader of the Mi'kmaq people. The Mi’kmaq traditional government is called the Sante' Mawio’mi, or Grand Council.
Sylliboy was chosen as Grand Chief in 2019. This was two years after the previous Grand Chief, Ben Sylliboy, passed away. Norman Sylliboy's grandfather, Gabriel Sylliboy, was also a Grand Chief, elected way back in 1918.
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Early Life and Work
Norman Sylliboy was born into a Mi'kmaq family on a reserve called Eskasoni First Nation. This reserve is located on Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia. His family was very proud of their Mi'kmaq culture and traditions.
His family even owned the first store on Mniku in Potlotek in over 40 years. Before becoming the Grand Chief, Norman Sylliboy 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 as 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 for Grand Chief happened at St. Anne's Mission. This special place is on Chapel Island in Nova Scotia, within the Potlotek First Nation. The Grand Council members went through several rounds of voting. In the end, they all agreed and chose Sylliboy as their leader.
After his selection, Norman Sylliboy shared his thanks. He said:
"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."
Protecting the Mi'kmaq Language
One important step for the Mi'kmaq people is the Mi'kmaq Language Act. This law makes the Mi'kmaq language an official language in Nova Scotia.
In October 2021, the government announced plans for this law. They want to do more to help people learn and use the Mi'kmaq language. This is important because fewer people are speaking it now.
Grand Chief Sylliboy spoke about the language, saying:
"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 means that even though there were challenges, the Mi'kmaq language and people are still strong.
Mi'kmaq Nation and New Members
In 2011, the Canadian government recognized a new group in Newfoundland and Labrador. This group was called the Qalipu First Nation. They did not have their own land, but they welcomed many new members.
At first, the Grand Council and other Mi'kmaq groups were unsure about these new members. However, by 2019, after checking everyone's background, the Qalipu First Nation was accepted as part of the larger Mi'kmaq Nation. By 2021, about 24,000 people were officially recognized as members.
Family Life
Norman Sylliboy married Arlene Sylliboy on May 22, 1982. They have seven children together. They are also proud grandparents to ten grandchildren.
