The following Mi'kmaq grand chiefs have presided over the Mi'kmaq Grand Council, the traditional political structure of the Mi'kmaw in Atlantic Canada. Each of the seven Districts of Mi’kma’ki had a District Chief who was elected from the local chiefs from that district. One of the district chiefs was appointed Grand Chief. The Grand Council was reorganized in the 18th century in response to the collapse of French power in the region.Stephen Patterson. Indian-White Relations in Nova Scotia, 1749-61: A Study in Political Interaction. in Buckner, P.A, Campbell, Gail and Frank, David. The Acadiensis Reader: Vol. 1., 3rd Edition. Atlantic Canada Before Confederation. 1998. p. 81 Previously the Miꞌkmaq had operated in 14-15 independent bands in Miꞌkmaꞌki.
# Image Name Grand Chief from Grand Chief until1.Henri Membertou155016112.Louis Membertou161116813.Jean Neminaour/Nemilaour Quebec, Canada, Vital and Church Records (Drouin Collection), 1621-1968168117264.Jean Baptiste Cope172617595.Tomah Denys17591792 6. Francis Peck 1792 1818 7. Michael Tooma 1818 1842 8. Frank Tooma Jr. 1842 1869 9. John Denny 1869 1887 10. (CONTENDED) Jacques-Pierre Peminuit Paul 1856 1895 10.(CONTENDED) John Denny Jr. 1887 191811. Gabriel Sylliboy 1918 1964 12. Donald Marshall Sr. 1964 1991 13. Benjamin Sylliboy 1991 2017 14. Norman Sylliboy 2019Mi'kmaq select Norman Sylliboy of Eskasoni as new grand chief Present
Notes
References Official Miꞌkmaq history month Poster 2006 Miꞌkmaq Grand Chiefs - Profiles Janet E. Chute. Frank G. Speck's Contributions to the Understanding of Miꞌkmaq Land Use, Leadership, and Land Management. Ethnohistory. June 1, 1999 Miꞌkmaw Chiefs, 1760 The Maple Monarchists