People of the Dawn

Pjila'sioq. The Benoit Lnu'k/Mi'kmaw Community traces its history back to the Chego/Shegone family, to Francois Benoit and Anne L'Official, and to a number of other Lnu'k/Mi'kmaw families who are the ancestors to most of the Benoit family of Lnu'k/Mi'kmaw in Taqamkuk. We are proud Benoit (eagle) clan. Other prominent family names in our community include Benoit, Young, Jesso, and Marche. Our band includes Non-status Lnu'k and Status Lnu'k under the provincial Qalipu Mi'kmaw First Nation Band.

Lnu'k/Mi'kmaq have always had a prominent presence in St. George's Bay (Baie St-George) and on Payun Aqq Payunji'j (the Port au Port Peninsula). Many of our Lnu'k/Mi'kmaq ancestors came from around Pitu'pa'q (Bras d'Or lakes) in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. We also have Beothuk connections.

Benoit 1st Nation recognizes the Qalipu Mi'kmaq First Nation Saqamaw as our Taqamkuk Chief of the Taqamkukewa'q (Newfoundland Mi'kmaq) outside of Miawpukek First Nation (Conne River). However Saqamaw Misel Joe remains as our trational Chief of all of Ktaqamkuk (Newfoundland).

History

In 1972 the Cape St. George Indian Band was formed and under the umbrella of NANL, Elder Edna Benoit was the seceretary of the band at that time. Josehine Simon was a Councillor. Adolph Benoit from Marches Point was the Chief/Saqamaw.

NANL later changed its name to the Federation of NL Indians (FNI) in 1976 after its Inuit & Innu members left the group to form the Labrador Inuit Association and Naskapi Montagnais Innu Association (today the Innu Nation). Conne River also left.

Recent History

After Chief Adolph Benoit left the Cape St. George Indian Band, the band ceased to be active. The FNI then became an exclusive organization for exclusive areas and the Port au port Peninsula was shut out (west of Abrahams Cove) until pressured by Mi'kmaw activists including Benoit 1st Nation Chief Jasen Benwah to include them.

The FNI did so only after being ordered to do so by Aboriginal Affairs - as was promised to us by the Feds.

Our Mission

Penwa Mawi-Amskwesewey L'nue'kati was re-established in 2005 to fill this void in our hearts and in our community.

We accepted the FNI brokered AIP With ANAC and are made up of status & non-status Mi'kmaq]w. We will work to build our community and educate our children exposing them to our true history. We will seek services and programs that will help revitalize and maintain our heritage, language and culture.