Harry Piers: Museum Maker

Notes from Piers Accession Book:

Scientific Name:  / Common Name:  Photo. Of front & side of a "Mootsh´kole" or gorget (originally an army officer's "Duty Gorget"), the insigna or badge of the Second (to Fourth) Captain of the Micmac Tribe of Indians near Shubenacadie, Hants. Co., N.S. (Photos. full size). 

It now belongs to Joseph Saac, one of the Captains of the section of the Micmac Tribe at Spring Brook Indian Reservation, near Shubenacadie, Hants. Co., N.S.  He is a son of Lewie  Saac.  It will have to be passed on to the man who succeeds him as Captain.

It is a crescent-shaped object, worn suspended on the chest by a (blue silk) ribbon around the neck.  It is made of copper, and is gold-plated on the front.  It has the Royal Cypher "G.R." in script letters, 1.20 inch high; above which is a crown, .70 inch high, and there is a laruel branch on each side.  All these are engraved into the metal.  No other marks or maker's name.  Such "duty gorgets" were worn at the neck by army officers in the 18th (and possibly was part of the 19th?) century.

Locality and When Collected:  From original now in the possession of Joseph Saac, Spring Brook, near Shubenacadie, Hants Co., N.S.  Lent, for purposes, by the present chief, William Paul.

Collector (c) Donor (d):  Photo. by Gauven & Gentzell, Halifax

Received:  1930 Oct. 10

Quantity:  2 prints (1 of front, 1 of side) 2 negatives

Remarks:  Chiefs at Shubenacadie (according to Chief Wm. Paul.). 
John Noel 
Isaac Sac 
William Paul, present chief, made chief on 26 June 1921.  Born 19 July 1921 at South Cambridge, Boston, Mass., son of Joseph Paul of the Beminwit Family.

This interesting badge of rank, was no doubt given by King George III to the Indians in or about 1814, when their chiefs received silver medals.  The Chief has a large silver medal of 1814 (see acc. No. 3219); the First Captain a smaller medal of 1814 (see acc. no. 6749), but no "mootshkole"; and the  three other Captains each have a "Mootshkole" exactly like the present one.  That is, there are three "Mootshkoles" in this part of the Tribe.

As to the meaning of the word Mootshkole or Mootshkoal, Chief Wm. Paul explains it is "a sort of truth example," or as one might say, a badge.  However I do not place much dependance  on this explanation.

Date Accessioned: September 1930

Photographer: Gauvin and Gentzel

Reference: Harry Piers number 6748  Nova Scotia Archives Photograph Collection, Nova Scotia Museum Collection Mi'kmaq: Insignia of Micmac Captain /  negative: N-4658