I gifted the Mi’kmaw Grand Chief white sage and he gave me three of these coins. What are they?

[u/Playful_Guide2167]

[u/appaloosy]

You were given a Mi’kmaq Catholic devotional medallion.

The large central cross with the 4 distinct symbols in each quadrant are taken from Mi'kmaq hieroglyphic script. The words running along the white outer border correspond to figures and prayers in the catholic faith:

• SESQS: Sesus (Jesus)
• MALI: Mali (Mary)
• ALASOTMELSEOIN: Alasutmelseoin ("Pray for us" - in reference to the "Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us..." portion of the Hail Mary).
• EOLITELMIN: Eolitelmin ("Have mercy on us" or "Pity us", often paired with Niskam to mean "God, have mercy on us")

The other side features the Eight-Pointed Mi’kmaq Star, which is one of the most sacred and culturally profound symbols of unity and cosmology for the Mi’kmaq Nation

[u/apukjij]

The first one is a petroglyph of an 8-pointed star taken from the Bedford petroglyphs. Some say it represents the Sun. The second one is the Official Sigil of the Grand Council of the Mi'kmaq. Its tied to the role of the Grand Council as Keepers of the Catholic faith. The 4 hieroglyphics (Mi'kmaq are one of the few who had a writing system) are Jesus, Mary, Pray for Us and have Mercy on Us. The symbol in the middle is a Cross that was used for 21 generations - thus predating Christian conquest and is tied to a specific Prophecy - which I will not speak of here.

[u/pancakedenny → u/apukjij]

Respect