At the time Marie was his only wife, possibly taken from another tribe as a trophy of war, or presented to him as prelude to peace. Though belonging to the Mi'kmaq Nation, Membertou was not like most of their men. For one thing, he was over a century old, and after many inquiries about the French explorer, Jacques Cartier, he claimed to have met him when he visited the area in 1534.
It was also believed that he was actually the offspring of a European fisherman and a Mi'kmaq girl, and his overall appearance would certainly attest to the lineage. Unusually tall and slim, with a long beard; he looked more French than Mi'kmaq, though by now his skin had leathered and his features had diminished with age. However, he was still both respected and feared throughout the entire region.
His domain was one of seven districts in the region; headed by a Grand Council, and the Grand Council fell under the leadership of the Wapn'ki Confederacy. In spring and summer, the bands would gather at fixed locations on the water, for planting and fishing. At times these summer villages were fortified, if the need arose, but in winter, the group would move further inland, where hunting was necessary to stay alive.
As for Marie's extended family, or clan, they lived more like outlaws. They never planted and rarely hunted, preferring instead to take what they needed; usually by force; from other villages. They prided themselves on being able to conduct business directly with the Europeans, and what they referred to as the “French Trade”, became their mainstay. Since her husband was also a Shaman, or medicine-man, he was able to control his people both spiritually and physically.
Everyone in the community would gather together and first all of the women would be showered with praise. Then the men would light their pipes from the magical flames, and in turn, blow the smoke from the pipe into the face of the woman who lit the last spark. They would then dance around the fire, singing and giving thanks to the “Father of Light...The Sun”.
If it was Marie, or any other Chief's wife, she was given the honour of preparing a feast (hmm?) for the men, which she would be allowed to attend, with whatever other women she chose. She would also be the first allowed to speak at the end of the feast; then light her husband's pipe and present it to him. She would also lead the song and dance which would begin the moment he took the first puff.
So the young girls did their duty by encouraging relationships, though the final approval for any formal union would have to come from Membertou. Not that many were offically presented to him. The young men enjoyed the company of the free spirited girls, but few, if any, considered a long term commitment.
According to Champlain: “two Indians arrived (at what is now Saco Maine)...one a Maliseet named Chkoudun, the chief of the River St. John ...the other a micmac Messamouet...they had much merchandise...kettles, hatchets, knives, dresses, capes, red jackets, peas, beans, biscuits...Messamouet (made a speech) pointing out how of past time they had friendly intercourse...”
This speech was to encourage the Maliseet of the St. John to join forces with the Mi'kmaq and the French to fight common enemies...”Make use of the friendship of the French, whom they saw there present exploring their country, in order in future to bring merchandise to them and to aid them with their resources”... He went on to tell them that he had visited France and stayed at the home of the Governor of Bayonne, Philibert De Gramont. He spoke for about an hour...”with much vehemence and earnestness and with such gestures of body and of arm as befit a good orator.”
As a gesture of good will, he then threw all of his merchadise into the canoe of Olmechin as a gift. Maybe he envied Marie's family for their closeness with these allies, and wanted to be sure that the men of Port Royal shared the wealth, or it may have been in reponse to the request made to Champlain on an earlier expedition to the natives of Maine, to negotiate peace with Abenaki. Regardless, it would cost them dearly.
When the body of Panoniac was brought on shore, his relatives and friends began to wail and moan. They painted their bodies all over in black and after a great deal of weeping, took a quantity of tobacco, a few dogs and other personal possessions of the deceased and set fire to it all. The next day the body was wrapped in a large red blanket (obtained from Champlain on the encouragement of Membertou)...when bound up tight they decorated it with beads, colourful bracelets...they also painted his face and placed several large feathers on his head. They then placed the body on it’s knees between two stakes, with another supporting it’s arms and about the body was his mother, his wife and other relatives and friends, both women and girls, who howled like dogs. (from Samuel De Champlain)
The body was kept in the cabin of his parents until spring when it was taken to a desolate island off the coast of Cape Sable for burial. These small isles were known only to the local people, since they didn’t want their enemies raiding the graves. It was then a common problem that the Europeans were digging up graves to steal the beaver robes. And yet the Natives were called Savages?
Once the funeral arrangements were complete, they met with Membertou to discuss revenge.
But he really missed his new allies. The Order of Good Cheer, and impromptu parties and games, helped to pass away the long winters, and since he always held a place of honor, as head of the local government, at their functions; he felt every bit the grand statesman. Now, with them gone, and his enemies breathing down his neck, he felt abandoned and had all but given up on ever seeing them again.
Finally, on a warm day in May, three years after their departure, Membertou and some of his people caught sight of a ship approaching the Bay. Not sure if they were friend or foe, he rallied his men, but his apprehension would turn to joy, when he saw the French Flag, and the chief got into a canoe with his daughter, to greet his old friends.
This time Poitrincourt had along not only his son, Charles, but also his wife; Madame Claudia Pajot de Poitrincourt; several members of the de Salazar family and his nephew; Charles De La Tour; a man who would play a very important role in the history of French-Acadia. Introductions were made all round, and everyone was caught up on the latest news. Poutrincourt informed the natives that Champlain was now looking to colonize Kebec and Marc Lescarbot had returned to the practice of law. After examining the fort, he was pleased to see that nothing had been taken or damaged, and thanked his old friend for his diligence.
“Membertou had come from Baye Sainte Marie to have himself treated for a disease which had overtaken him. Father Enemonde Masse had put him in a little cabin, in Father Biard’s bed, and was there taking care of him like a father and servant...one of their greatest hardships was to carry all the wood that was needed for day and night, since it was quite chilly and the fire had to be kept going to eliminate the odour of dysentary, from which Membertou was suffering.
At the end of five or six days of service, Membertou’s wife and daughter came to stay with him...Father Biard begged Sieur de Biencourt to have the invalid moved to one of the empty cabins in the settlement...his cabin was so small that when 3 or 4 persons were in it they could not turn around. Biencourt had one put up where the invalid was taken, but the move seemed to have made him worse....he died a few days later. Membertou told Biencourt that he wished to be buried with his fathers and ancestors, but Father Briard opposed since Membertou was now a Christian and the others in the graves pagans. Membertou relented.”
