The Paq'tnkek Mi'kmaq and Ka't (American Eel): A Case Study of Cultural relations, Meanings and Prospects

Abstract

The Mi’kmaq have a deep and rich relationship with Ka’t (American eelAnguilla rostrata). While the Mi’kmaq continue to harvest Ka’t for food, their relations with and use of eel also embody important cultural meanings and practices. Ka’t occupies a notable place within many ceremonial settings, is used for medicinal purposes and, as a consequence of the ways in which Ka’t is shared, is central to traditional relations of reciprocity. Over recent decades, however, the commercialisation of eel fishing in Atlantic Canada has led to a decline in their numbers and has contributed to a significant reduction in eel fishing and eel use among the Mi’kmaq. Loss of access to eel may well translate into a much broader process of cultural loss, as the ceremonial and sharing practices centred on the fishing and consumption of eel disappear. However, legal precedents affirming treaty entitlements are positioning the Mi’kmaq to assume a more proactive role in managing both commercial and food fisheries. This paper reviews recent trends and discusses these issues with reference to the results of research carried out with Paq’tnkek (Afton), a Mi’kmaq community in northeastern Nova Scotia. The Paq’tnkek Mi’kmaq relations with Ka’t are described and discussed with respect to their cultural meanings and prospects. Implications for the revitalisation and empowerment of indigenous cultures are drawn from the lessons evident in this case study.