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1905-07-21
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In connection to purchasing more timber land for the Indians at Fishers Grant (Pictou Landing), Mclean reported to Macleod that there were no available funds. Mclean stated that the department would pay for a moderate quantity of firewood for those unable to attain it themselves.
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1905-08-31
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Complaint by settler Andrew Fraser over Indians from the Fishers Grant Reserve taking firewood from his land., A certain Andrew Fraser who owns wooded land near the Fisher's Grant Reserve is making a claim against the department of one hundred dollars as he says the indians have taken wood from his property the past two years with a value of $100.00. I told him I would acquiant you with the matter and find out what is to be done. Yours, J.D. Mcleod
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1905-09-06
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In connection to complaint from settler Andrew Fraser about Indians from Fishers Grant cutting wood on his land, Mclean states the department claims no responsbility for the actions of the indians.
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1906- Annual Report from Indian Agent J.D. McLeod
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Annual Report from Indian Agent Rev. McLeod. Report is somewhat more poetic than his usual form. Details on housing, health, sickness, migrations, occupations and work, and religion. Specific mention is made to a abstinence from alcohol pledge made at the annual St Anne's day Celebration at Malagomich., MICMACS OF PICTOU COUNTY, NEW GLASGOW, July 28, 1906.
FRANK PEDLEY, Esq.,
Deputy Supt. General of Indian Affairs, Ottawa.
Sir, - I have the honour to submit my annual report and statistical statement for the year ended June 30, 1906.
Reserves. - The Indians of Pictou county have two reserves. The larger reserve has a fine sea-board location, near the entrance of Pictou harbour, and contains 200, acres of land, a portion of which is cultivated and under crop. Over two- thirds of the Indians live on this reserve. The other reserve is an island in Merigomish harbour. This island is deserted during the winter months, and the Indians camp on the adjacent mainland.
Tribe. - The Indians of these parts belong to the historic Micmac tribe, the aboriginal settlers of the maritime provinces, giving picturesque, descriptive Indian names to many rivers, lakes, mountains and indentations of the sea.
"The memory of the red man, how can it pass away,
When his names of music linger on each mount, and stream and bay."
Vital Statistics. - The present population of the Indian reserves of the county of Pictou is 168. There were 4 births during the year, and 5 deaths, 4 of which were of infants. One left the reserve to settle in New Brunswick. The total population is thus 2 less than last year's. The infant mortality is thus very large among the Indians, and large it seems to be everywhere among the various multitudinous races of mankind. How will the infant life of the race be preserved is the universal problem.
Health and Sanitation. - The health of the Indians, in general, has been good during the year. There was one adult death from consumption. They have been immune from any epidemic or contagious disease.
Resources and Occupations. - These Indians make a living by farming, fishing, making baskets, pick-handles, and hiring out as labourers. They live from hand to mouth, are happy, and contented, and die with visions of blissful immortality - the happy Indians.
Buildings. - The greater number possess frame buildings for dwellings, which are, large and more comfortable than the camps of years gone by. There are a few barns on their land. There is a hall and a fine church on the Island reserve.
Education. - There is a good school in operation at the Fisher Grant reserve, which is well attended during the winter months, the children are intelligent.
Religion. - All the Indians are Roman Catholics and have clung with unalterable fidelity to the ancient faith preached to their pagan forefathers by zealous missionaries from France, the beloved and historic black-robes.
Temperance and Morality. - These Indians are on the whole, remarkably sober, honest and truthful. They take the pledge of total abstinence at their annual mission, on St. Ann's feast, and keep it, with very few exceptions, for the year.
I have, & c.,
J.D. MACLEOD,
Indian Agent.
NOVA SCOTIA,, Annual Report of the Department of Indian Affairs for the Year Ended June 30, 1906 (Ottawa: Dominion of Canada, 1907), 70-71.
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1906-04-02
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Mcleod states the he has been writing many letters to get firewood for the Pictou Landing Indians. Says the last winter was mild and the "Indians did not suffer much." Asks the department to purchase wooded land or to make a yearly allowance for buying feul. "During a severe winter the Indians might perish from cold, and their sad plight would be brought hence in an unpleasant way to all concerned. What are you going to do about it?"
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1906-04-07
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Chitty asks Pedley to review the case of firewood and timberland at fisher's grant.
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1906-04-10
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In connection with adding more timber land to Fishers Grant Reserves, Mclean restates that the department will not buy woodlot, but will supply wood to certain people if needed.
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1906-07-30
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Lawyers representing a settler request info on if the department will supply wooded land for Indians of Fishers Grant as his client has "suffered sufficiently at the hands of the Indians." Asks the department to let them know if they will pay for the wood taken from the property.
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1906-08-03
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Mclean informs the lawyers, who were inquiring about wood cut from their clients' land by Indians from Fishers Grant, that the department "disclaims all liability for the alleged acts of Indians in trespassing on private property. Says that they can ask Indian Agent Mcleod for more information.
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1907- Annual Report of Indian Agent John D. McLeod
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Annual Report from Indian Agent Rev. J.D. McLeod. Report contains the usual references to housing, health, occupations, and religion/morality, but also includes an interesting section on the circumstances of the "ambitious" members of the community. McLeod states that the band is limited by the natural limits of the land and by the lack of resources on reserve., MICMACS OF PICTOU COUNTY, NEW GLASGOW, April 30, 1907.
FRANK PEDLEY, Esq.,
Deputy Supt. General of Indian Affairs, Ottawa.
SIR, - I have the honour to submit my annual report and statistical statement for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1907.
Reserve. - The Indians of Pictou county hold two reserves. The larger reserve, at Fisher's Grant, contains 200 acres. The greater portion is under wood. The other reserve is an island near Merigomish.
Population. - The present population of this agency is 170. This number includes a few Indians temporarily absent from the reserve.
Health and Sanitation. - These Indians have, during the past year, enjoyed immunity from any general epidemic. Small-pox, which has been spreading in different sections of this county, spared the Micmac tribe. Steps have been taken to have the Indians vaccinated. I regret to record the recent death of the kindly physician of the Indians for many years past, Dr. John MacMillan, Pictou.
Occupations. - The Indians are engaged in farming, fishing, coopering, basket-making, and some hire out as labourers.
Buildings. - During recent years, helped by the department, the Indians have improved their dwellings, sufficiently large frame buildings taking the place of small unsanitary shanties, greatly to the advantage, health and comfort of the tenants.
Stock. - Horses and a few cows are owned on the Fisher's Grant reserve.
Farm Implements. - Two or three Indians possess all the needful farm implements, which do service for all the others. Education. - There is one school located on the Fisher's Grant reserve, doing satisfactory work and fairly well attended.
Characteristics and Progress. - Most of these Indians are industrious; only a few make a comfortable living. They cannot obtain steady employment near the reserve. The land is not productive, the fishing is precarious, they lack the knowledge and equipment to till the soil or reap the harvest of the deep. The wood to be made into tubs, baskets and pick-handles is getting scarce and more remote. What outlook is there for the ambitious Indian? Their circumstances are not improving.
Temperance and Morality. - They are as a rule, sober and virtuous, and fear God, who is to judge the living and the dead.
I have, & co.,
J.D. MACLEOD,
Indian Agent.
NOVA SCOTIA,, Annual Report of the Department of Indian Affairs for the Year Ended March 31 1907 (Ottawa:S.E. Dawson, Printer to the King's Most Excellent Majesty, 1907), 65.
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1907-05-06
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Pedley states that $700 was provided to purchase timbered land for Pictou Landing (from Mr. Foster). Asks Mcleod to acquire title and transfer.
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1907-05-25
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Mclean asks for a plan and description of Foster's land that was purchased for firewood for Fishers Grant Indians.
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1907-08-12
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Settler interested in selling his land adjoining the Fishers Grant Indian Reserve. States the he has moved to Alberta, and the Indians have already been using this land to access boats at Moody Cove and also using the streams. States the the reserve is small so the government might want to add to it.
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1907-08-12
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Mclean responds to settler offer of land for Fishers Grant Reserve, saying the Department has no money to buy the land.
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1907-09-09
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$700 sent to purchase the Foster land for Pictou Landing Indians.
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1907-11-07
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In connection with recently purchased Foster land for Fishers Grant Reserve, Department asks for better description of land as they cannot identify the parcel by what Mcleod has provided.
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1908- Annual Report of Indian Agent J.D. McLeod
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Annual Report from Rev. J.D. McLeod. Report gave information on various aspects of life at Fisher's Grant, such as Census data, health, work, housing, and education., MICMACS OF PICTOU COUNTY, NEW GLASGOW, June 3, 1908.
FRANK PEDLEY, Esq.,
Deputy Supt. General of Indian Affairs, Ottawa.
SIR, - I have the honour to submit my annual report and statistical statement for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1908.
Reserve. - There are two reserves, Fisher's Grant reserve has an area of 200 acres. The other reserve is a small island near the settlement of Merigonish.
Population. - The present population is 172, being an increase of 2 since last year. There were 7 births during the year.
Health and Sanitation. - There has not been any epidemic disease. There has been one death from consumption, and one from pneumonia. Three infants died. These Indians understand how tuberculosis is communicated and are more careful their houses and yards are kept clean. Their dwellings are not as large as desirable. Several sick persons were sent for treatment to Aberdeen hospital, New Glasgow, where it was well-nigh impossible to do anything for them at home. Complete recoveries were made, except in one case, which is still under treatment. The humane generosity of the department in securing for these persons first-class medical treatment and nursing must make a profound impression.
Occupations. - The avocations of these Indians are farming, fishing, coopering, making baskets, pick-handles, and from time to time hiring out as labourers.
Stock. - They have several horses at Fisher's Grant reserve. They keep no cows or swine. Farm Implements. - They have a few ploughs and harrows, one cultivator and two carts.
Education. - There is a good school at Fisher's Grant reserve. A very competent teacher is employed. The attendance is fair and good progress is made.
Characteristics and Progress. - They are peaceful and law-abiding, scrupulously honest, and show great kindness towards the sick and destitute among them.
Temperance and Morality. - The Indians, with very few exceptions, are strictly temperate and profoundly religious.
I have, & c., J.D. McLEOD, Indian Agent., Annual Report of the Department of Indian Affairs for the Year Ended March 31 1908 (Ottawa:S.E. Dawson, Printer to the King's Most Excellent Majesty, 1908), 68.
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1908-10-17
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Mcleod inquired if land had been purchased for the Fishers Grant Indians for firewood (Foster land).
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1908-10-18
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Foster, who had recently sold a tract of land to the Fishers Grant Reserve, stated that "Mckay and Shaw" had all of the documents relating to land sale.