Benjamin Kji Saqamaw Sylliboy (March 2, 1941 – November 30, 2017) was a
Grand Chief of the
Miꞌkmaq
The Mi'kmaq (also ''Mi'gmaq'', ''Lnu'', ''Mi'kmaw'' or ''Mi'gmaw''; ; , and formerly Micmac) are an Indigenous group of people of the Northeastern Woodlands, native to the areas of Canada's Atlantic Provinces, primarily Nova Scotia, New Bru ...
who lived at the
We’koqma’q First Nation in
Cape Breton
Cape Breton Island (, formerly '; or '; ) is a rugged and irregularly shaped island on the Atlantic coast of North America and part of the province of Nova Scotia, Canada.
The island accounts for 18.7% of Nova Scotia's total area. Although ...
,
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is a Provinces and territories of Canada, province of Canada, located on its east coast. It is one of the three Maritime Canada, Maritime provinces and Population of Canada by province and territory, most populous province in Atlan ...
,
Canada
Canada is a country in North America. Its Provinces and territories of Canada, ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, making it the world's List of coun ...
. He served as Grand Chief for 25 years from 1992 until his death in 2017.
Life
Sylliboy was born at the
Whycocomagh reserve
Reserve or reserves may refer to:
Places
* Reserve, Kansas, a US city
* Reserve, Louisiana, a census-designated place in St. John the Baptist Parish
* Reserve, Montana, a census-designated place in Sheridan County
* Reserve, New Mexico, a US v ...
on Cape Breton, Canada, on 2 March 1941. At the age of 6, Sylliboy's mother sent him to residential schools where he remained for 4 years. After returning to his community, he contracted tuberculosis and was near death for 18 months. After this bout of illness, he attended the Indian Day School and took on a variety of jobs while furthering his education through the Department of Indian affairs. In 1968, he was elected as an ambassador (Keptin) from his community and in 1970 an Indian Act Band Councillor. He served nine terms in this position until being asked by previous Grand Chief
Donald Marshall Sr.
Donald Joseph Marshall Sr. (May 28, 1925August 25, 1991) was a Grand Chief of the Mi'kmaq who lived at Membertou First Nation near Sydney, Nova Scotia. He served as Grand Chief for 27 years, from 1964 until his death in 1991. His son, Donald Mar ...
to take over the role of Grand Chief in 1992 due to his declining health.
Death
Sylliboy died on November 30, 2017, in Sydney, Cape Breton at age 76.
In 1993,
Nova Scotia Premier
The premier of Nova Scotia is the first minister to the lieutenant governor of the Canadian province of Nova Scotia and presides over the Executive Council of Nova Scotia. Following the Westminster system, the premier is normally the leader of t ...
John Savage and Mi’kmaw Grand Chief Ben Sylliboy declared October as the official month to recognize and celebrate Miꞌkmaq culture and heritage in Nova Scotia. He was also a key figure in the renewal of the Miꞌkmaq Grand Council role as a governing body within the Miꞌkmaq community that focuses on the recognition and implementation of Aboriginal and Treaty rights.
See also
*
List of grand chiefs (Mi'kmaq)
*
Grand Council (Mi'kmaq)
The Grand Council (Santé Mawiómi or Mi'kmawey Mawio'mi) is the normal senior level of government for the Mi'kmaq, based in present-day Canada, until passage of the Indian Act in 1876, requiring elected governments. After the Indian Act, the Gr ...
References
External links
* http://halifax.mediacoop.ca/fr/story/residential-school-survivors-share-their-stories/8706
* https://www.apcfnc.ca/images/uploads/HonouringTraditionalKnowledgeEldersBiographies.pdf
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sylliboy, Benjamin
1941 births
2017 deaths
20th-century First Nations people
21st-century First Nations people
Indigenous leaders in Atlantic Canada
Canadian Mi'kmaq people