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1908-10-21
Secretary Stewart stated that the department had asked for more information about the Foster land purchase but Mcleod never sent it and land sale never completed.
1908-11-06
CK Sproull stated that it was unfair for government to buy land for the Indians as his land was now 'hemmed in' by Indians on all sides. He stated that the Foster sale of land required Indians to cross a harbour and also cross his land for them to have access to their new timber lot. Stated that the wood lot purchase wass too far from main reserve and as a result the Indians would cut the wood on his land. Reported that the Indians had been taking wood from his land for 5 years and he had received no compensation. Sproull stated that talking to the Indian Agent was of no use. Sproull offered to exchange land, albeit hesistantly, and said that his land would have no value anyway if this continues.
1908-11-24
In connection to purchase of Foster land for Indians at Fishers Grant, Mcleod stated that he responded to DIA requests for more information and that he confirmed with Mr. Foster about sale.
1908-12-02
In connection to purchase of Foster land for Indians at Fishers Grant, Mclean asked for Mcleod to arrange a land survey and to get a plan made for land.
1909- Annual Report from Indian Agent J.D. McLeod
Annual Report from Indian Agent Rev. John D. McLeod, outlining various aspects of life at Fisher's Grant Indian Reserve. Noted that 80 acres of woodlands had been added to the Reserve that year, brining the total land at Fisher's Grant to 280 acres. A small pox epidemic was currently impacting the region, and had killed two people to date., MICMACS OF PICTOU COUNTY, NEW GLASGOW, April 15, 1909. 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, 1909. Reserve. - The Indians of this agency have two reserves. The larger reserve, situated near the entrance of Pictou harbour, has an area of 280 acres; 80 acres of wooded land were purchased during the year, which the Indians needed very much for fuel. The other reserve consists of a small island in Merigomish harbour, which the Indians leave during the winter months, when they live in shanties on the adjacent mainland until spring comes again. Population. - This agency has a population at present of 174. Health and Sanitation. - An epidemic of small-pox of a mild type prevailed throughout the agency for the past four or five months. The settlements of Indians, at Pictou Landing, Pine Tree and Loch Broom were quarantined from the beginning of January to the middle of April. All the Indians bad the disease except three or four families. Two deaths resulted from it. They have all now fully recovered. There was one death from tuberculosis during the year. After the necessary measures of disinfection, quarantine was raised about the middle of April. Occupations. - These Indians are engaged in farming, fishing, making baskets, moccasins, tubs, pick-handles, and some from time to time hire out as labourers. Buildings. - Most of the Indians have frame buildings for dwellings. Some of these houses, however, are too small to be sanitary or comfortable. There is a good school-house and a fine church. Stock. - There are a few horses owned on the larger reserve at Fisher's Grant. This, with a few hens, is the only stock kept. Farm Implements. - A few of the Indians possess ploughs and harrows, but most of the work of preparing the ground for seeding is done by hired teams. Education. - The school at Fisher's Grant reserve was fairly well attended during the fall months and good progress made by the pupils. On account of small-pox, school was closed a week or two before the Christmas holidays. It will re-open on April 19. Characteristics and Progress. - The Indians, as a rule, are industrious and law-abiding. As they have been idle now for the past few months, owing to the prolonged quarantine, I cannot report much improvement in their circumstances. Temperance and Morality. - These Indians are, with very few exceptions, temperate. The great majority do not even taste intoxicating drinks. They are to be considered, on the whole, a religious and moral community. I have, & c., J.D. MACLEOD, Indian Agent. NOVA SCOTIA,, Annual Report of the Department of Indian Affairs for the Year Ended March 31 1909 (Ottawa: C.H. Parmelee, Printer to the King's Most Excellent Majesty, 1909), 72-73.
1909-05-12
Chief Matthew Francis reported that a white man was taking sand from the foreshore of the Indian Reserve. Chief Fracnis wished to know how far their rights extended into the foreshore, and also requested a copy of the Indian Act., Dear Sir, I am here to inquire how is this reserve is running to the sea shore and I want to know how far it is out from the high water mark. The whiteman is taking away some of the sand for his own advantages from the high water mark to the low water mark in the reserve shore. The man who takes the sand away that is Mr. Charlie Gillies Sprowld [Sproull]. Please to let me know if I can stop from doing or not. Please send me also the following books of Indian Act of indian Affairs. Matthew Francis, Indian Chief Pictou Landing.
1909-05-19
In connection to Chief Matthew Francis reporting that a white man was removing sand from the reserve, McLean stated that he has contacted Indian Agent Mcleod to follow up. Mclean stated that in future Francis should always go to Agent. No mention of the requested documents.
1909-05-19
In connection to Chief Matthew Francis reporting that a white man was removing sand from the reserve, Mclean asked Mcleod to stop white man from taking sand from reserve. Mclean stated that no white man is allowed to trespass on the reserve.
1909-05-25
Mclean asked Boyd to inspect proposed Foster land purchase, and also look into the Sproull matter. Reports that JD Mcleod was supposed to do so on December of 1908 but has not replied.
1909-05-25
Pedley reports that Boyd will look into Sproull complaint - Sproull complained that Indians from Fishers Grant were trespassing on his land as they had to pass through it to get to their new timber lot - and that Mcdonald will be informed of result.
1909-07-20
In connection to purchasing the Foster land for more timbered land for Fisher Grant Indians, and into the complaints of CK Sproull, this letter summarizes Boyd's report on these issues and asks for the department to make a decision into the Foster purchase.
1909-07-27
In connection to Sproull's offer to sell land to the Fishers Grant Indians, Mclean stated that no funds are available to make the exchange with Sproull. Mclean reported that the department should not provide timbered lands for the use of the Indians, and said that if the Indians believed the department will constantly buy them lands they will never learn how to conserve the wood.
1909-08-06
Reports that he gave the Indians at Pictou Landing no "intimation" that the land would be purchased for them, just provided the department with the info it requested.
1909-11-05
Request from the DIA to survey the new alloted land for the Fishers grant Indians.
1909-11-19
Dept. approves surveyor McKeen to do the work to survey the new addition to the Fishers Grant reserve.
1910- Annual Report of Indian Agent J.D. McLeod
annual Report from Indian Agent Rev. J.D. McLeod, outlining various aspects of living and working for the Mi’kmaq of Pictou County., MICMACS OF PICTOU COUNTY, NEW GLASGOW, April 16, 1910. FRANK PEDLEY, Esq., Deputy Supt. General of Indian Affairs, Ottawa. SIR, - I have the honour to submit my annual report for the year ended March 31, 1910. Tribe or Nation. - All the Indians of this agency belong to the Micmac tribe. Reserve. - The Indians of this agency have two reserves. The larger reserve, known as the Fisher Grant reserve, is situated near the entrance of Pictou harbour. It has an area of 280 acres. It is mostly dry, sandy upland, with no dearth of stones. After being properly prepared, it yields fairly well in grain and root crops. The other reserve consists of a small island, near Merigomish, which the Indians leave during the winter months. Population. - This agency has a population of 174. Health and Sanitation. - The health of the Indians has been good on the whole. As a rule, consumption is the cause of death in persons of adult age. They are duly instructed in the methods of preventing infection, which they carry out as far as their means permit. Occupations. - The Indians of this agency are engaged in making baskets, butter-tubs, pick-handles and moccasins, in farming, fishing, and from time to time hire out as labourers, when opportunity occurs. Buildings. - The Indians possess a commodious church and a fairly good school-house. The private dwellings are mostly frame buildings. Stock. - A few horses and some hens are the only stock kept on the reserve. Farm Implements. - A few ploughs, harrows and wagons are owned by the Indians. Characteristics and Progress. - These Indians are a peaceful and law-abiding community. Their opportunities for advancement are few. They live for the day, contented with their lot. They are religious and God-fearing, and are not known to steal or be dishonest. Temperance and Morality. - The Indians of this agency are nearly all temperate and the great majority total abstainers. I have, & c., J.D. MACLEOD, Indian Agent. NOVA SCOTIA, Annual Report of the Department of Indian Affairs for the Year Ended March 31 1910 (Ottawa: C.H. Parmelee, Printer to the King's Most Excellent Majesty, 1910), 70-71.
1910- Report on School at Indian Cove, Pictou County
Report discussing the Day School at Indian Cove. Details on attendance and overall success of school are outlined., NOVA SCOTIA. Although the province of Nova Scotia has been settled and cultivated for very many years, the condition of the Indians in many districts is that of nomads. They have failed after all the years of their association with white people to reside permanently upon their reserves and make their living by agriculture. They are prone to waner about from place to place, selling their baskets or squatting in the vicinity of towns and doing odd jobs for the residents. These habits render it somewhat difficult to give all their children the benefits of day school education, but on several of the reserves successful day schools have been established, and the new methods adopted to increase the attendance and render it stable have had gratifying results at several of the schools. These methods will be further extended as time goes on, and where active and interested teachers are in control there is no doubt that many of the difficulties which now appear unsurmountable may be overcome. The actual poverty of the Indians is also a detrimental factor. The children are often without proper clothing to protect them from the inclemency of the winter weather, and in the future in deserving cases a quantity of clothing will be given sufficient to enable the children to attend school regularly. INDIAN COVE, PICTOU COUNTY. The Indian Cove school is at present conducted by Miss Gertrude McGirr. This band is quite civilized and a number of the older people on the reserve are able to ESKASONI, CAPE BRETON COUNTY. ... Number of children of school age 21 Number of pupils enrolled 20 Average attendance 8 Number of pupils enrolled 29 Number of pupils enrolled 29 Average attendance 17 read and write. The cause of education is advancing, but the circumstances which operate against a regular attendance also obtain on this reserve. The school-house on the reserve is used for divine worship on Sundays, and there is every reason to believe that the influence of the school is for good., Annual Report of the Department of Indian Affairs for the Year Ended March 31 1910 (Ottawa: C.H. Parmelee, Printer to the King's Most Excellent Majesty, 1910), 276-277
1910-03-17
In connection to Boyd's report on the purchase of land for the Fishers Grant reserve, Mclean asks AJ boyd to inquire about the Sproull land size that would be exchanged with the Fishers Grant Indians.
1910-03-26
Boyd stated that the department was well advised to purchase Sproull's land, but argued that the department should not "hand over the property, which is a valuable one, to be indiscreminately exploited by the Indians." Stated that the land should be divided into lots and each Indian be given a lot for indivudal use. References that this is what they did at Millbrook, Colchester Co., and said that it had worked well there.
1910-04-06
In connection to the purchase of land for the Fishers Grant reserve, Boyd reported that the Sproull land is approx. 70 acres.