CURATORIAL REPORT 103 The Mi’kmaw Bestiary A Compendium of documented Mi’kmaw terms and phrases relating to animals by Andrew J Hebda Crown Copyright 2014 Province of Nova Scotia Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History Nova Scotia Museum Nova Scotia Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage CURATORIAL REPORTS The Reports of the Nova Scotia Museum make technical information on museum collections, programs, procedures, and research accessible to interested readers. This report contains the preliminary results of an on-going research program of the Museum. It may be cited in publications but its manuscript status should be noted. _________________________________________________________________ © Crown Copyright 2014 Province of Nova Scotia Information in this report has been provided with the intent that it be readily available for research, personal and public non- commercial use and may be reproduced in part or in whole and by any means, without charge or further permission so long as credit is given to the Nova Scotia Museum. ISBN# 978-1-55457-641-8 The correct citation for this publication is: Hebda, A.J., 2014, The Mi’kmaw Bestiary, A Compendium of documented Mi’kmaw terms and phrases relating to animals Curatorial Report Number 103, Nova Scotia Museum, Halifax Cover image adapted from Petroglyph tracing from Queen’s County, George Creed Collection (1910.23.157-21544.tif). Image modified to highlight Bear and Moose tracings. Page 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgements:...................................................................................................................................... 8 Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 9 List of Animal Names by Animal Group ...................................................................................................... 11 Mammals (general terms) ........................................................................................................................... 11 Mammals (Specific Terms) .......................................................................................................................... 12 Bat......................................................................................................................................................... 12 Bear ...................................................................................................................................................... 12 Beaver ................................................................................................................................................... 13 Canids (Dog Family) .............................................................................................................................. 15 Dog ................................................................................................................................................. 15 Fox .................................................................................................................................................. 16 Wolf ................................................................................................................................................ 17 Cloven-hoofed Animals ........................................................................................................................ 17 Caribou ........................................................................................................................................... 17 Deer ................................................................................................................................................ 18 Moose ............................................................................................................................................ 18 Felids (Cat Family) ................................................................................................................................ 20 Lynx ................................................................................................................................................ 20 Bobcat ............................................................................................................................................ 20 Cougar ............................................................................................................................................ 20 Mice, Rats and Moles ........................................................................................................................... 20 Rat .................................................................................................................................................. 21 Mole ............................................................................................................................................... 21 Mustelids (Weasel Family) ................................................................................................................... 22 Fisher .............................................................................................................................................. 22 Marten ........................................................................................................................................... 22 Mink ............................................................................................................................................... 22 Otter ............................................................................................................................................... 23 Skunk .............................................................................................................................................. 23 Weasel ........................................................................................................................................... 23 Wolverine ....................................................................................................................................... 24 Muskrat ................................................................................................................................................ 24 Porcupine ............................................................................................................................................. 24 Raccoon ................................................................................................................................................ 25 Seals ...................................................................................................................................................... 25 Squirrels (Squirrel Family) .................................................................................................................... 27 Chipmunk ....................................................................................................................................... 27 Flying Squirrel ................................................................................................................................ 27 Page 3 Gray Squirrel .................................................................................................................................. 28 Red Squirrel .................................................................................................................................... 28 Rabbit / Hare ........................................................................................................................................ 28 Whales .................................................................................................................................................. 29 Woodchuck ........................................................................................................................................... 30 Domestic animals ................................................................................................................................. 30 Cat .................................................................................................................................................. 30 Cow ................................................................................................................................................ 31 Goat................................................................................................................................................ 32 Horse .............................................................................................................................................. 32 Mules, Donkeys and their kin ........................................................................................................ 32 Pig................................................................................................................................................... 33 Sheep ............................................................................................................................................. 33 Exotic Animals ................................................................................................................................ 33 Fish .............................................................................................................................................................. 34 Skates and Rays ...................................................................................................................................