Terminology
Throughout this website the terms “Aboriginal” and “First Nations” are used interchangeably to denote any of the original inhabitants of New Brunswick. While terms such as “Indian” or “Amerindian” were once acceptable, they are now regarded as being inaccurate and culturally prejudiced. Where possible, we refer to the three First Nations who inhabit New Brunswick by the names they prefer for themselves: Mi’kmaq, Maliseet, and Peskotomuhkati.
Since the arrival of Europeans to the region in the seventeenth century, the Mi’kmaq, Maliseet, and Peskotomuhkati have been known by a variety of English and French names. Understanding historical documents about Aboriginal peoples in New Brunswick requires knowledge of these names.
Mi'kmaq
- Modern
- Mi'kmaq, meaning "people of the dawn."
- 19th century
- Micmac, English and French European name
- 18th century
- Micmaque, French European name
- Micmac or Cape Sables Indians, English European names
- 17th century
- Souriquois, French European name
Peskotomuhkati
- Modern
- Peskotomuhkati, meaning "those of the place where pollock are plentiful."
- 18th and 19th centuries
- Passamaquoddy, English and French European name
- 17th century
- Etchemin, French European name. See note 2.
Maliseet
- Modern
- Maliseet (English), Wolastoqiyik (Maliseet) meaning "people of the beautiful river."
- 19th century
-
Maliseet, English and French European name. See note 1.
- 18th century
- Malécite, French European name. See note 1.
- Maliseet or St. John’s River Indians, English European names. See note 1.
- 17th century
- Etchemin, French European name. See note 2.
Notes
- The word “Malécite” or “Maliseet” is actually a Mi’kmaq insult, meaning “lazy speakers” or “broken tongue.”
- Linguistically, the Peskotomuhkati and the Maliseet are related. It is thought that they had been one group before the Peskotomuhkati moved south towards Maine in the late-seventeenth century.
