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: 1887- Indian Agent Report; Annual letter of Report from Pictou County Indian Agent Roderick McDonald. McDonald reported that the school was still closed due to want of a teacher, and that many families lived at Fishers Grant but many others lived at Pine Tree Gut. References markets for labour and the sale of manufactures at Pictou, New Glasgow, and local coal mines., DISTRICT NO 8, PICTOU, N.S., 17th October, 1887. The Honorable The Superintendent-General of Indian Affairs, Ottawa. SIR, - In submitting my annual report I have, apart from what will appear in, the tabular statement, only a few remarks to make. The Indians of my district begin to appreciate the advantage of raising a crop, particularly a potato crop, because they feel it relieves them to a large extent of necessity of begging. It will, however, take years, and perhaps another generation, before farming is adopted by them as their principal mode of livelihood. file:///C|/marc-houle/2015-2016/Indian%20Affairs%20Reports/1887/1887/1887-0156.htm[2015-04-23 2:23:09 PM] About one-half the number of Indian families in Pictou County live permanently at Indian Cove, while the other half roam all over the country, making a quasi domicilium at Pine Tree Gut, a place within two miles of their own Indian Island. Here they are sheltered by the nature of the place from the cold blasts of winter weather, and in close proximity to the waters of Merigonish harbor, where they find abundant supply of eels and smelts, and are also among a generous and hospitable people, who will always have an eye to their wants. At the coal mines and at the towns of Pictou and New Glasgow, they all find a fair market for their goods. Their occasional destitute circumstances are caused more by their improvidence and want of economy than by idleness. The school at Indian Cove is still closed for want of a teacher. I have the honor to be, Sir, Your obedient servant, RODERICK McDONALD, Indian Agent, District No. 8, Annual Report of the Department of Indian Affairs for the Year Ended 31st December 1887 (Ottawa: Dominion of Canada, 1888), 40-41., Rev. Roderick MacDonald, Indian Agent, to Thomas White, Superintendent General of Indian Affairs, October 17th 1887, Annual Report of the Department of Indian Affairs for the Year Ended 31st December 1887 (Ottawa: Dominion of Canada, 1888), 40-41.

: 1887- Report of the Superintendent General; Reference to Mi'kmaq of Pictou County in the Superintendent General of Indian Affair's Annual Report. Reported that the school had not been in operation as they could not hire a teacher, and also that while many lived at Fishers Grant, many others lived at various other places in Pictou County., The Indians of the County of Pictou possess a reserve at Fisher's Grant, otherwise known as Indian Cove. Only one- half of them, however, occupy it, the residue camp at various points. "There is a school building on the reserve, but owing to a difficulty in obtaining the services of a teacher, the school has not been in operation for over two years. These Indians follow agriculture but to a very limited extent. They depend for a subsistence mainly upon the sale of their manufactures and on fishing. No census of these Indians nor other statistics, for the year 1887, were received from the agent. The Indian population of the county was 192 in 1886" (xxxvii)., Annual Report of the Department of Indian Affairs for the Year Ended 31st December 1887 (Ottawa: Dominion of Canada, 1888), xxvii.

: 1887- Special Appendix- Immovable and Personal Property; Special Census collected by Indian Affairs in 1887. Pictou Landing is District No. 8.

: 1888- Excerpt from Superintendent General's Annual Report; Excerpt from Annual Report discussing a purchase of land (30 acres) for the reserve at Fishers Grant. Discussed that the land was needed for agriculture and fire wood., The Indians of the County of Pictou number 178 souls, being a decrease of 14 since the year 1886. The Department recently purchased 30 acres of land adjoining their small reserve at Fisher's Grant opposite the town of Pictou. They had not sufficient land on the reserve for agricultural purposes, nor was there wood for fuel, fencing or building purposes on the reserve. The Indians consequently often trespassed on their neighbors' properties. For these reasons it was deemed advisable to secure for them the parcel of land referred to., Annual Report of the Department of Indian Affairs for the Year Ended 31st December 1888 (Ottawa: Dominion of Canada, 1889), xxvii.

: 1888- Financial Record- Relief and Seed Grain for Indians of Pictou County; Report of food relief and seed grain purchases for Mi'kmaq of Pictou County., "Expended by Agents in the purchase of supplies of food and seed grain, in the following proportions: Rev. R. McDonald...In District No. 8...Food etc. 182.36...Seed Grain 103.00.", Annual Report of the Department of Indian Affairs for the Year Ended 31st December 1888 (Ottawa: Dominion of Canada, 1889), part 2, 136.

: 1888- Indian Agent Report- Pictou County; Annual letter from Indian Agent R. McDonald reporting on the Pictou County Mi'kmaq., PICTOU, N.S., 17th November, 1888. The Honorable Superintendent General of Indian Affairs, Ottawa. SIR, - I have the honor to transmit for your information the tabular statement for the year with the Allowing remarks. I am pleased to observe that the Indians of this district attach due importance to farming, and fully realize the substantial benefits arising from this industry. The crop, consisted principally of potatoes and wheat, and I am happy to state that the yield was very good. Their other industries were fishing, coopering, basket making, putting back and bottom in chairs, making pick handles for the mines, working at the wharves loading and unloading vessels. During the winter season many Indians make a profitable business of fishing eels and selling at from 4 to 7 cents per pound to local buyers for shipment to foreign markets. Although contagious diseases are not known among them for years past, yet as main as twelve deaths have occurred within the last year. The school at Indian Cove is yet vacant for want of a teacher. The fund for the payment of a teacher is so limited that none can be found to undertake the charge. It is not a recognized school section like the other schools of the province, and consequently receives no government nor county aid. The Indians of this district are exemplary in their honesty, and in their morals; and when speaking of them as a body, they are also sober. There are always a few individuals who will drink when they have an opportunity. I have the honor to be, Sir, Your obedient servant, RODERICK MCDONALD, Indian Agent, District No. 8., Annual Report of the Department of Indian Affairs for the Year Ended 31st December 1888 (Ottawa: Dominion of Canada, 1889), 186.

: 1888- Special Appendix - Property and Crops for Indians of Nova Scotia; Special report reporting the "Immovable Property and Land cultivated and Fresh land ploughed." Also gives population and number of implements owned by the Mi'kmaq of Pictou County., Annual Report of the Department of Indian Affairs for the Year Ended 31st December 1888 (Ottawa: Dominion of Canada, 1889), xcviii.

: 1888-03-14; Author (Copeland) states that the land that the Indians have tried to purchase has been taken over by the indians from Pictou Landing. Indians have cut the wood and "otherwise destroyed the property." Copeland wants compensation for the land from the government.

: 1888-04-11; MP Charles Tupper writes to Dept. of Interior to ask that they purchase the Copeland land at Pictou Landing, as the Indians have "destroyed" it.

: 1888-04-18; Hard to read, but seems to state that $300 or $350 would do to purchase the land from Copeland in connection with request to purchase more timber land for the reserve at Pictou Landing.

: 1888-04-18; Series of memos that states that the Indians of Nova Scotia have $410 in their account, a balance from sale of lands.

: 1888-04-20; Letter, in connection with request to purchase more timber land for the reserve at Pictou Landing, suggests that there was enough money to buy the land from Indian funds without having to ger permission from Parliament.

: 1888-05-02; If the land in connection with request to purchase more timber land for the reserve at Pictou Landing is to be purchased, Copeland needs to provide proof of title and also detailed plans and sketches.

: 1888-05-10; Letter states that the Copeland land is held in common, and that someone will provide more detail but at present they are in Halifax. This letter is in connection with request to purchase more timber land for the reserve at Pictou Landing.

: 1888-05-12; In response to request to purchase the Copeland land for additional timber land for the Mi'kmaq at Pictou Landing, this letter explains that a settler named "Fraser" holds the land in trust for Mrs. Copeland.

: 1888-05-15; Tupper forwards Vankoughnet a letter from Ms. Copeland in concern of the land she wants to sell to Pictou Landing band. This is part of correspondence linked to purchasing more timber lands for the Mi'kmaq at Pictou Landing.

: 1888-05-25; In response to request to purchase the Copeland land for additional timber land for the Mi'kmaq at Pictou Landing, this letter reports the transfer of title to Ms. Copeland, which originates in 1855. Explains the progression of the land from original pre-emption to Copeland.

: 1888-07-26; In response to request to purchase the Copeland land for additional timber land for the Mi'kmaq at Pictou Landing, Tupper reaches out to Vankoughnet to ask if there has been any decisions made on Pictou Landing land purchase.

: 1888-07-30; In response to request to purchase the Copeland land for additional timber land for the Mi'kmaq at Pictou Landing, it appeared that the land purchase deal was stalled because no 'Release of property' was supplied to the DIA.

: 1888-09-03; In response to request to purchase the Copeland land for additional timber land for the Mi'kmaq at Pictou Landing, Tupper explains that the land title should be attained but it might take time. He states that he has spoken with Fraser (Copeland's brother) and that he said if the DIA goes ahead with the purchase they will provide the title.