By J Benwah

Mi'kmaq

Pjila'si (welcome)

Traditional Mi'kmaq weddings will vary from region to region. Some aspects will be similar.

Benoit First Nation Marriage ceremonies are as follows:

• The Honour Song will start the ceremony
• The bride will march from the south with father or proxy, which is considered as the women's door;
• The groom will march from the north with his best man - the men's door.
• guests and witnesses will sit or stand in an outer circle
• The marriage party will stand or sit on blankets in an inner circle with the Bride and Groom in the Centre.
• All participants will smudge sweetgrass.
• The Father or proxy of the Groom will gift a bowl of blueberries to the Sagmaw
• The groom and bride exchanged their vows pledging their love to each other;
• Bride and Groom will tie a feather to the side of each other's head;
• This is followed by a ring ceremony.
• The witnesses will wrap a blanket around the bride and groom,
• This may be followed by a dance with those in regalia.
• The marriage song
• Signing of the written marriage contract.
• Sagmaw's words of Marriage wisdom for the newly married Couple
• Feast and dancing will follow that would include blueberries.

  Wantaqo'ti, (peace).

   

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