Saqamaw Geodol
| Noel Joseph Jeddore | |
|---|---|
| We’jitu | |
| Mi’kmaq leader | |
|
In office July 26, 1919 – 1924 |
|
| Preceded by | Saqamaw Lupe'n Reuben Lewis, Olibia Chief of the Newfoundland Mi'kmaq from 1900 - 1919 |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 18, 1865 Indian Point, Bay d'Espoir |
| Died | May 14, 1944 Eskasoni, Cape Breton |
| Spouse(s) | Dinah Morris Geodol (Jeddore) |
| Children | Peter (Piet) Francis Jeddore (May 9, 1892 – May 18, 1970), 6 other children |
| Parents | Nicholas Jeddore and Ann Benoit |
| Religion | Christian |
| Mother tongue | Lnu’isimk |
Noel Joseph Jeddore We’jitu also Newell Jeddore Gietol, Geodol (December 18, 1865 – May 14, 1944) was Saqamaw "grand chief" of the Mi'kmaq at Miawpukek in Bay d'Espoir on the south coast of Newfoundland in the Coast of Islands region. Jeddore served as chief from July 26, 1919 until he was forced into exile to Eskasoni, Nova Scotia, in 1924. He was born at Indian Point, Bay d'Espoir and he died at Eskasoni, Cape Breton.
The name "Jeddore" can be traced back to We’jitu Isidore, (ca. 1656 – ca. 1769) who "was a Kji-Saqamaw or grand chief of the Mi’kmaq of the provinces of New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia and Quebec." Prior to the passage of the 1876 Indian Act, the Mi'kmaq were governed by the Grand Council - Santé Mawiómi - made up of representatives from the seven district councils in Mi'kma'ki. The chief of the Newfoundland Mi'kmak was Reuben Lewis, who was elected as probationary chief in 1900 following the death of Joe Bernard. In June 1907 Reuben Lewis was to "go in state with the principal men of Conn River to Sydney to be invested with the full right of chieftainship and the possession of the gold medal which is the badge ot office." As chief, Noel Jeddore was given guardianship of the gold medal first given to the previous district Chief Maurice Lewis by the Grand Council. Maurice Lewis came to Miawipukek originally from Cape Breton in 1815. When he left Miawpukek Jerrold hung the medal on the statue of St. Anne near the Catholic Church. The priest, St. Croix, who deposed Chief Noel Jeddore in 1924 "was also responsible for dismantling traditional governing structures in the community."
Lewis as chief made settled disputes about territorial trapping areas and his decisions were final. Noel Jeddore was known as Saqamaw Jeddore or Geodol to the Mi'kmaq of Miawpukek/Conne River. In a 1907 publication Newfoundland and It's Untrodden Ways by Millais (1865 – 1931) the author included his favourable observations of the Jeddore family and other Conne River Mi'kmaq during his visits to Newfoundland in "two short hunting seasons in 1905-1906." Millais observed that in the absence of a Catholic priest Conne River at Christmas time, Joe Jeddore was "high priest."
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