-
-
1901-05-07
-
Bell states that Pine Tree Gut Indians should be placed on reserve and Indian Agent should enforce boundaries.
-
-
1901-05-08
-
McLean instructs Indian Agent Mcdonald to report on the amount of timberland at Pictou Landing and surrounding Indian lands and to report back to the department with recommendations.
-
-
1901-05-10
-
Physical descriptions of reserve locations. Information about sales and changes to reserve in 19th century.
-
-
1901-06-02
-
JD Mcleod, the new Indian Agent for Pictou Landing (Fishers Grant) - stated that the Indians at Pictou Landing required more land for agriculture, firewood, and livestock. Also discussion of an Indian man who worked as a janitor at the school and was not paid. Two Indians ( Jasper Prosper and Sally Paul) were building houses and they needed assistance., "The indians under my charge need more land. They need land that can be cultivated. They need land that will supply them with wood, as it is pretty well used up now. With more land they might keep a few cows among them. At present there is not one. A tract of land could be acquired I think near their present property at Boat Harbour."
-
-
1901-10-24
-
Indian Agent Mcleod reported that the Indians at Pictou Landing had very little wood for the winter. A neighbour named Sproull "is offering sixty acres of well timbered land for sale" on a tract that adjoins the boat harbour reserve.
-
-
1901-11-05
-
In connection to purchasing more timber land for the reserve, George Chitty asked for more information on the quality of Sproull's land, and if there were funds to purchase.
-
-
1901-11-13
-
McLean stated that the department is favourable of the purchase of Sproull's land to add more timberland to the reserve, and asked Mcleod to approach Sproull to find out the lowest cash price so it could be voted upon in Parliament. Also asked him to look around the region to find out if there is cheaper land that could work.
-
-
1902- Annual Report Indian Agent John McLeod
-
Annual Report from Pictou County Indian Agent J.D. McLeod. McLeod reported on the various aspects of life at Fisher's Grant, including census data, health and morality, occupations, and location of families throughout the year., PROVINCE OF NOVA SCOTIA, MICMACS OF PICTOU COUNTY, NEW GLASGOW, July 11, 1902.
The Honourable
The Superintendent General of Indian Affairs, Ottawa.
SIR, - I have the honour to submit my annual report and statistical statement for the year ended June 30, 1902.
Reserves. - There are two reserves in this agency. The Fishers Grant reserve has an area of one hundred and sixty-four acres. The other reserve is a small island near Merigonish, on which the church stands. About thirty-seven Indians live on this island from June till October, when they migrate to the mainland at Pinetree, where they enjoy the convenient and hospitable neighbourhood of the dominant race during the winter months.
Vital Statistics. - The combined population of the two reserves is one hundred and thirty-nine. There were three births and three deaths during the year. A family of four came to Chapel Island from Cape Breton.
Resources and Occupations. - Basket-making, coopering and farming are the avocations in which the Indians are employed. Quite a number during the summer months get employment loading and unloading steamers at Pictou Landing.
Religion. - They are all Roman Catholics and much attached to their faith.
Education. - For the past four years a school has been in operation at Indian cove, Pictou Landing. The children have made excellent progress in that time in reading and arithmetic. These good results are due in great measure to their efficient and energetic teacher, Miss Nellie Connolly. Three pupils attended the manual training school at Pictou and made good use of their opportunities.
Health. - The health of the Indians during the past year has usually been good. The deaths occurring were from tuberculosis; a few are suffering from the same trouble at present. The government's efforts in educating the Indian's in hygienic laws, to be observed in cases of consumption will no doubt be beneficial.
Characteristics. - The Indians generally are honest, law-abiding and industrious. There are a few instances of the hereditary weakness of the race for 'fire-water'.
I have, & c.,
J. MCLEOD,
Indian Agent., Annual Report of the Department of Indian Affairs for the Year Ended June 30, 1902 (Ottawa: Dominion of Canada, 1903), 68., J.D. MacLeod, Indian Agent, to Clifford Sifton, July 11th 1902, Annual Report of the Department of Indian Affairs for the Year Ended June 30, 1902 (Ottawa: Dominion of Canada, 1903), 68.
-
-
1902-02-25
-
In connection to purchasing more timber land for reserve at Pictou Landing, Mcleod states that Sproull will not budge on price of proposed land for purchase.
-
-
1902-02-28
-
In connection to purchasing more timber land for reserve at Pictou Landing, Mclean asks for Mcleod to obtain a written offer for sale of Sproull's land.
-
-
1902-03-06
-
In connection to purchasing more timber land for reserve at Pictou Landing, Sproull offered the land for $21 an acre.
-
-
1902-04-03
-
In connection to purchasing more timber land for reserve at Pictou Landing, Mclean states department will not carry out purchase if land is not deemed advisable.
-
-
1903- Annual Report from Indian Agent Rev. John McLeod
-
Annual Report from Indian Agent Rev. J.D. McLeod, outlining several areas of life and work at Fisher's Grant Reserve., NOVA SCOTIA,
MICMACS OF PICTOU COUNTY, NEW GLASGOW, July 7, 1903.
The Honourable
The Superintendent General of Indian Affairs, Ottawa.
SIR, - I have the honour to submit my annual report for the year ended June 30, 1903.
Reserves. - There are two reserves in this agency: one at Fisher's Grant, having an area of one hundred and sixty-four acres; the other, an island in the harbour of Merigomish, known as Indian island. Twenty-eight Indians live on this island during the summer. Several Indians left the island during the past year to settle on the Fisher's Grant reserve.
Vital Statistics. - The population of this agency is one hundred and fifty, an increase of eleven. The number of births was seven and deaths six. Ten additional Indians settled on the reserves during the past year.
Health. - There has been no illness of an epidemic character. Consumption is the great cause of mortality among the Indians. Through the literature distributed among them by the department, the Indians are becoming convinced of its infectious character, and are taking precautions to prevent its further reckless dissemination.
Resources and Occupations. - Considerable farming is done by the Indians on the Fisher's Grant reserve. Fishing is prosecuted in the contiguous sea waters by a few. A large number fish for eels in the winter in the East river, and the harbour of Pictou. Many Indians find employment in the public works at Pictou Landing during the summer months, while at home the industrious squaws make dainty baskets and deftly ply the busy needle, making indoor footwear, which they sell at good prices in the neighbouring towns.
Buildings. - During the past few years the Indians, encouraged and assisted by the department, have been greatly
improving their dwellings. Frame houses have
been built, large and airy, in pleasant contrast to their former shanties, greatly promoting the health and comfort of the inmates.
Stock. - Horses and a few cows are to be found on the Fisher's Grant reserve.
Education. - The school at Fisher's Grant reserve continues to give great satisfaction. Miss Cassie A. McDonald taught here during the past year.
Religion end Morality. - Too much cannot be said of the honesty and purity of the lives of these Indians. They all profess the Roman Catholic religion.
I have, & c.,
JOHN D. MCLEOD,
Indian Agent., Annual Report of the Department of Indian Affairs for the Year Ended June 30, 1903 (Ottawa: Dominion of Canada, 1904), 75-76.
-
-
1903-03-17
-
In connection to purchasing more timber land for reserve at Pictou Landing, a settler named William Scott offered land of approx. 36 acres for $400. Land was adapted for crops. Sproull was selling land for 50 acres at $20 per. Both tracts adjoined the reserve., "The Indians at Fisher's Grant are asking urgently for more land. They want more land for cultivating and more wooded land for fuel."
-
-
1903-03-23
-
In connection to purchasing more timber land for reserve at Pictou Landing, Mclean asked if the Indians are using all of their cultivated land at present. Asks why sproull's land was considered again if it was deemed poor last time they looked into it. Asked Mcleod to gather specific info about the lands in question.
-
-
1903-04-23
-
In connection to purchasing more timber land for reserve at Pictou Landing, Mclean stated that there was a good quantity of softwood on the reserve for fuel. The Indians were Anxious to get more timber land, but Sproull did not have much hardwood on his land. Mclean argued that Sproull's price was too high for his land. Reported that there was a portion of land on reserve uncultivated but it required an "immense" amount of work to make it cultivatable. Advised purchase of Scott's 36 acres at $400. This land is ready for the plow.
-
-
1903-04-28
-
In connection to purchasing more timber land for reserve at Pictou Landing, author asked for $400 to be approved to buy Scott's land.
-
-
1903-10-28
-
In connection to purchasing more timber land for reserve at Pictou Landing, Pedley reported that the money had been allocated and steps should be taken to secure the land., "To the Land's Branch. The sum of $00.00 provided in the Estimates for the purchase of 36 acres of wooded land from Mr. Wm. Scott for the Indians of Fisher's Grant Reserve, Pictou Co., is now available. Steps to secure the land should be taken through the department of Justice."
-
-
1903-10-30
-
In connection to purchasing more timber land for reserve at Pictou Landing, the funds for purchase were available, and Pedley requested instructions to be forwarded to Indian Agent Mcleod to complete purchase.