Three Mi’kmaw communities live in the Gaspésie region: Listuguj, Gesgapegiag and Gespeg. The Mi’kmaw language is taught at school and is still spoken in the communities of Listuguj and Gesgapegiag. Most Mi’kmaq of Gespeg speak French, but several speak English as a second language.
One of the characteristics of Mi’kmaw culture is its adaptation to activities related to off-shore fishing. In particular, the Mi’kmaq developed the art of building boats for this style of fishing. At the end of the 18th century, following major socioeconomic changes in Gaspésie, many Mi’kmaq became lumberjacks, labourers and construction workers. However, fishing is still part of Mi’kmaw social and economic life.
In 2001, the three Mi’kmaw communities joined forces to form a political and administrative organization, the Mi’gmawei Mawiomi Secretariat, so as to offer common services, forge ties with non-Indigenous partners in the fishing and forestry sectors in particular, and prepare negotiations on territorial land claims. The Mi’kmaq have also introduced various services to improve living conditions in their communities. The Mi’kmaw Nation has approximately 5,000 members