The Micmac way of life is very different today than it used to be. Some of the changes have been good ones. But some traditional skills have been lost. Today, few Micmacs know how to make a wigwam or a birchbark canoe. Still, some traditional skills have been kept over the years. For example, Red Bank and Eel Ground Indians can still make Indian footwear and baskets. The traditional Micmac beliefs in the spirit world are gone. Almost all Indians today are Christians. The traditional art of story telling is no more. This is a big loss because story telling was very important in the traditional way of life.
Traditionally older people were important on Micmac Band Councils. The older people were highly honored. Today, however, most Micmac chiefs are young men. The chief is the leader of an Indian band. In olden days, a man became chief if his father before him was chief. Today, the chief has to be elected. Elections are held every two years. Since 1951 Indian women have had the right to vote. Elections for chiefs and band councils are a white man’s idea.
Traditional Micmac life has been changed. Some Micmacs do a bit of farming. Unemployment is very high on all the reserves. Because of this the need for government help is ongoing. Other Micmacs work in the forests cutting wood for the mills. Still others act as guides for fishermen and hunters.
Many young Indians leave the reserve to find work. Some have become teachers. Some hold government jobs. Some have become famous in sports.
The number of Micmacs continues to grow. For example, in 1971, there were 207 people living on the Red Bank Reserve, and 330 at Eel Ground. In 1987, there were 276 people on the Red Bank reserve, with 323 Micmacs living on the reserve at Eel Ground. The number of Micmacs on reserves in New Brunswick was 5,266.