Atikamekwia (The Kalmar Union)

The Republic of Atikamekwia, Atikamekwia, is a large republic in Northern Leifia. It is bordered by Keewatin Territory and Ojibwe to the West, Vinland to the South and Algonquinland to the East. The capital is Manawan and the population is around 520,000.

The official language is Atikamekw though Vinlandic is also widely spoken.

The Head of State is Piso Nikikw.

It uses the Vinlandic Krona (VIK).

History
The Atikamekw tribe first appears in the records as the Vinlanders explored the Fraeburt Votnum in the 12th century. Trading furs and pelts they were often used as mercenary troops by Vinlandic armies when campaigning in the Hafsvaedaland.

The Atikamekw chiefs were recognized as ruling a vast area of land North of Vinland after the Great Northern War. They were handed a considerable slice of defeated Algonquinland in 1501. This was sold back to Algonquinland in 1655 after it was offered 40,000 VIK.

For centuries its population was engaged chiefly in subsistence farming but it is gradually becoming clear that it is blessed with considerable mineral wealth. Gold has been discovered near Manawan and diamonds on the northern coast joining vast copper and nickel deposits. Before this bounty came to be appreciated the Kâting had twice offered to hand the country to Vinland as a protectorate like Keewatin, or as a full-blown Fylkír. Vinland rejected the offer on both occasions, preferring to nurture its Leifian neighbours rather than annex them.

Almost its entire population lives near the borders with Vinland or on the northern shore of the massive lake Gichigamí. It is heavily reliant on its neighbour for trade - mostly foodstuffs such as reindeer or maple and metal ores.

Since the 1980s however it has been approaching other states to try and broaden its economy. Currently Hordaland is helping develop a port and railway on the Issjo which should help access the country's considerable nickel deposits.

Government
The government is run by a single chambered Kâting elected every 3 years. There is no election for the position of Speaker. It is simply taken by the leader of the party with the majority.

The current Speaker is Piso Nikikw.