Eskasoni First Nation

Eskasoni Mi'kmaw Nation
Band No. 23
PeopleMiꞌkmaq
ProvinceNova Scotia
Land[1]
Main reserveEskasoni 3
Other reserve(s)
Land area42.809 km2
Population (2021)[1]
On reserve3973
Off reserve700
Total population4673
Government[1]
ChiefLeroy Denny
Council size12
Tribal Council[1]
Union of Nova Scotia Miꞌkmaq
Website
eskasoni.ca

The Eskasoni Mi'kmaw Nation (Mi'kmaq: Eskissonqnik) is a band government of the Mi'kmaq First Nations, located in Unama'ki (Cape Breton), Nova Scotia, Canada. As of 2021, Eskasoni has a membership of 4,675. Of this population, 3,973 live on-Reserve, and 667 live off-Reserve.[2]

History

On-reserve populations
YearPop.±%
1871125—    
189180−36.0%
1900140+75.0%
1941200+42.9%
19912,206+1003.0%
20012,741+24.3%
20235,064+84.8%
Source: Statistics Canada,[3][4]

The word 'Eskasoni' is derived from the Mi'kmaq word We'kwistoqnik, which means 'where the fir trees are plentiful'.[5]

In 1942, the federal government enacted a centralization policy through Indian Affairs. This policy led to the forced relocation of hundreds of Mi’kmaq from the Digby, Nova Scotia area to two reserves – Eskasoni and Shubenacadie, known today as Sipekne’katik.[6] This led to rapid population growth in Eskasoni, which was previously home to less than 200 residents.

In 2016 Dr. Mohan Singh Virick, a Sikh doctor who served Eskasoni for 50 years, donated 140 hectares (335 acres) of land.[7] He also donated a building in Sydney to help house Eskasoni's growing population.[8]

Present day

Eskasoni is the most populous community of the Mi'kmaq Nation. It has its own community radio station, CICU-FM, broadcasting at 94.1 MHz. The Eskasoni First Nation is also home of the Unama'ki Institute of Natural Resources, a Mi'kmaq organization devoted to natural resources and the environment.

The community operates its own school board, providing services to children from kindergarten to grade 12.[9]

The Eskasoni First Nation is composed of three parts:

Community Area Location Population Date established
Eskasoni 3 3,504.6 hectares (8,660 acres) 40 km. southwest of Sydney 3,973 July 1, 1832
Eskasoni 3A 28.5 hectares (70 acres) 40 km. southwest of Sydney 0 July 20, 1948
Malagawatch 4 (1/5 share) 661.3 hectares (1,634 acres) 62 km. southwest of Sydney 0 August 2, 1833

References

  1. ^ "First Nation Detail". Crown–Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada. Government of Canada. Retrieved December 28, 2019.
  2. ^ Branch, Government of Canada; Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada; Communications (November 3, 2008). "Home". Crown–Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada. Government of Canada. Retrieved March 17, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  3. ^ "No need of a chief for this band" (PDF). UBC Press. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
  4. ^ Government of Canada (January 15, 2008). "2006 Aboriginal Population Profile". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Statistics Canada. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
  5. ^ "Eskasoni First Nation" (PDF). Dalhousie University. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
  6. ^ Roache, Trina (April 10, 2020). "Uprooted: The little known story about Mi'kmaw history of forced relocation". APTN News. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
  7. ^ Network, SaltWire. "Cape Breton doctor to be honoured". Cape Breton Post.
  8. ^ "Respected physician says First Nation needs the land 'more than I do'". www.mmnn.ca. Mi’kmaq-Maliseet Nations News. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
  9. ^ "History of Eskasoni". www.eskasoni.ca. Retrieved March 17, 2021.