J.CAC VOLUME 25 (2000)
Conservation Treatment of The Mi’kmaq Prayer Book
This paper describes the treatment of a rare Mi’kmaq prayer book, written in a hieroglyphic script, that belongs to the Conne River Miawpukek Band (Miawpukek Mi’kamawey Mawi’omi, Council of the Conne River Micmacs) in Newfoundland. The manuscript was in an extremely vulnerable and deteriorated state. The leather cover was badly damaged and completely separated from the grey cover boards. The pages of the text block were dirty and water stained. In addition, there were tears and missing areas of paper. Several pages were detached from the text block and required the assistance of Mi’kmaq educator Helen Sylliboy to position them correctly in the manuscript. During the examination, Ms. Sylliboy intimated that due to the spirituality of the Mi’kmaq prayer book, it would be more respectful to leave it untouched. This led to a meeting in Conne River to discuss the treatment options, including that of not treating the prayer book. The Conne River Miawpukek Band Council Members opted for full conservation treatment. Treatment consisted of surface cleaning, washing and leaf-casting the folios, and rebinding the text block in a limp parchment cover. A padded book jacket, solander boxes to house the newly bound volume and original cover and binding materials, and a Plexiglas display stand were also constructed.
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