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1890- Financial Return for Indian Expenditures for Province of Nova Scotia
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Financial Record showed funds allocated for relief and seed grain for Indians of Pictou County, delivered by Indian Agent R. McDonald., "Rev. R. McDonald... Grant for the purchase of relief for Indians in District 8 ...$135.00"
"Rev. R. McDonald...Grant for the purchase of seed and implements for Indians in District 8...Spring of 1890...$103.00"
"Rev. R. McDonald... Over-expended, seed grant, spring of 1889... $9.29", Annual Report of the Department of Indian Affairs for the Year Ended 31st December 1890 (Ottawa: Dominion of Canada, 1891), part 2, 25-26.
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1890- Indian Agent Rev. R. McDonald Report (Pictou County Indian District)
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Annual letter from Rev. R. McDonald, reporting on the Mi'kmaq in District No. 8, Pictou County. McDonald made several interesting comments regarding the falling use of wig wams, as well as the erection of a "glebe house" for the use of the priest on Indian Island., PICTOU, N.S., 3rd November, 1890.
The Honourable
The Superintendent General of Indian Affairs, Ottawa.
SIR, - I have the honour to submit my annual report, with tabular statement, of Indian affairs in this district.
I have much reason to be pleased with the progress shown by the Indians of my agency. It is true that a few among them show occasional signs of drunkenness when they frequent the towns and villages, but the general tendency is towards sobriety; and I am not aware that we have an habitual drunkard on the whole reserve, and they are also exceptionally moral in other respects.
The general appearance of their houses and,surroundings indicates a desire for ordinary comforts. The wigwams are fast being dispensed with, and comfortable houses taking their place.
It is difficult to instil into their minds the necessity for making provision for the future. They are sufficiently industrious, but lack economy. Comparing the present with the past, I feel confident that physically and morally there is a steady improvement going on.
There has been, no school among them for the last four years for want of a teacher.
We have erected this summer on Indian Island, Merigonish, a glebe house for the use of the priest while attending to the spiritual wants of the Indians, and also a very pretty and substantial wooden church with a stone foundation. The interior of the church is not yet finished, but the building must be used until more money shall have been collected. The buildings as they stand at present cost, apart from, labour given gratuitously by the Indians, about $1,800. A thousand dollars of this amount are the collective contributions among the Indians for some years past. The balance is the result of a successful pic-nic held this summer on Indian Island.
I have the honour 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 1890 (Ottawa: Dominion of Canada, 1891), 186.
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1890- Special Appendix -IMMOVABLE PROPERTY, LAND CULTIVATED AND FRESH LAND PLOUGHED AND PERSONAL PROPERTY
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Special Report on implements and agriculture on Pictou County reserves. Lists various categories relevant to built architecture, owned implements, and cleared land. Also lists populations., At the time of upload, only one page was visible on the Library and Archive website. All the information can be retrieved by going to the URL and opening the full PDF transcription in plain text., Annual Report of the Department of Indian Affairs for the Year Ended 31st December 1890 (Ottawa: Dominion of Canada, 1891), xl.
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1891- Report from Indian Agent Rev. R. McDonald, Pictou County
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Annual Report from Indian Agent Roderick McDonald. Referenced various aspects of life at Fishers Grant Reserve, including a lessening of amount of wigwams for housing, a reduction in "begging," wage labour, manufacturing, agriculture, and St. Anne's Day on Indian Island., PICTOU, N.S., 1st October, 1891.
The Honourable
The Superintendent General of Indian Affairs,
Ottawa.
SIR, - I have the honour to submit the following as my annual report upon the condition of the Indians and Indian affairs within my district.
I am happy to report an improvement among them in the way of adapting themselves to the methods of civilized life. The wigwams are fast disappearing, and houses comparatively comfortable taking their place. Other domestic comforts are also being introduced. The instinct of independence and self-respect is showing signs of life; for
they depend less for a livelihood on begging than in former years. The majority of the men are industrious, and look for work, as other labourers do, and command the same wages. Their indigence, as a rule, does not arise as much from not earning as from a lack of domestic economy. The Indian seems to take to a labour that shows immediate results; and I consider this a reason why he takes comparatively little interest in farming. Farming under present circumstances is necessarily unsatisfactory; they have no cattle to enrich the soil with manure, or to restore its exhausted strength, and they are too poor to invest in artificial fertilizers.
The principal occupation of the Indians in this locality is in making butter tubs and pick handles for the coal mines, to provide material for which they seem to lay undisputed claims to the forest far and wide. In morals, I must say there lives are commendable - there are a few drunkards, but not so depraved that they do not make an effort to reform. They are essentially religious. They assemble annually on Indian Island, on the feast of St. Anne, their patron Saint, and remain there for about two weeks; on which occasion they attend specially to their religious duties, and also to temporal matters which concern the whole tribe. It is on this occasion that the influence of the Priest and Agent is most effective, and it is for this reason that I wish to offer all the inducements possible to have them assemble there.
We have no school on the reserve; because it is not remunerative enough for any teacher to open a school.
There has been no contagious disease among the Indians for some years. It may be remarked that the population given in the census of this year is in excess of last years. Some of those who were absent from the reserve for two or three years have returned, and young men getting married in other districts added in each case one more to the population of this reserve, and it is possible also that some, escaped being marked down.
The crop promises a fair yield. Fishing is, I may say, abandoned by them, for it is so uncertain on this coast.
I have the honour 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 1891 (Ottawa: Dominion of Canada, 1892), 41-42., Rev. Roderick MacDonald, Indian Agent, to Edgar Dewdney, Superintendent General of Indian Affairs, October 1st 1891, Annual Report of the Department of Indian Affairs for the Year Ended 31st December 1891 (Ottawa: Dominion of Canada, 1892), 41-42.
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1892- Report from Indian Agent Rev. Roderick McDonald
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PICTOU, N.S., 1st September, 1892,
The Honourable
The Superintendent-General of Indian Affairs, Ottawa.
SIR, - With the tabular statement I submit the following report on matters relative to Indian affairs in my district for the year ended 30th June, 1892.
The health of the Indians is comparatively good. There is no contagious disease among them. Up to the 31st August there were two deaths in excess of births. The prevailing sickness among them is lung disease contracted from ill- usage rather than from inheritance. This ill-usage arises frequently from deficiency of clothing during cold weather.
Sobriety is fast becoming a virtue with them. I believe there are fewer cases of drunkenness among them now than formerly. They seem to realize every day the injury and danger of the habit of drinking. They show a great deal of energy at times to make up a sum of money, but scatter it equally fast. They lack perseverance. Many of the young men of the tribe are very industrious and have adopted the methods of living of white people. Several of them are employed at the iron works of Eureka and Bridgeville; while others are engaged loading and unloading vessels. Farming is not congenial to them. It is difficult to impress them with the importance of farming. It Inquiries too much attention. The little attention they pay the crop when it is placed in the ground, shows necessarily poor results.
The whole tribe this year, as usual, gathered to the Indian Island to celebrate the festival of Ste. Anne their patron saint. They have shown a great deal of sincere piety. It is their great desire to have their beautiful little church entirely finished. They have already spent on it and the house for the priest, in the vicinity of two thousand dollars, the most of which was paid by themselves. The benefit of gathering to this island once every year is not to be viewed alone from a religious stand-point. The priest or agent can confer with them as a body on matters affecting their temporal welfare, and impress upon them the advantage of adopting the improved methods in their various avocations.
The gathering of the tribe this year on Indian Island was specially interesting on account of the election of a new chief to replace the late Paul Paul. The name of the new chief is Noel Paul, a near relative of the late chief. The Paul family have held the crown with few interruptions for many years. For the first three years the newly elected chief is only on trial, and if at the end of that time he proves himself worthy, he is confirmed in office for life. Noel Paul, the present chief, is of good disposition and of fair intelligence, and seems to have a great deal of influence among them.
I have the honour to be, sir, Your obedient servant,, Rev. Roderick MacDonald, Indian Agent, to Edgar Dewdney, Superintendent General of Indian Affairs, September 1st 1892, Annual Report of the Department of Indian Affairs for the Year Ended 31st December 1892 (Ottawa: Dominion of Canada, 1893), 112.
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1892-04-28
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A group of Mi'kmaq approached Agent Mcdonald to ask again to purchase land at Roy's farm at Pine Tree for their use. Agent explains that Roy either wants the Indians removed from his land or the government buy it from him. Explains that "the place is very formally situated for the Indians - it is well sheltered for their houses in winter, it is near a market for their work, it is adjoining the head of Merigomish Harbour where at all times of the winter they can get eels and smelt, both for their use and market." Says 20 families winter there., Rev. Roderick MacDonald, Indian Agent, to Lawrence Vankoughnet, Deputy Superintendent General of Indian Affairs, April 28th 1892, Library Archives Canada, RG10, Vol. 7761, File 27058.
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1892-05-12
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Vankoughnet replies to request to purchase more land for Pictou Landing Reserve that they still have no funds for this purchase., Lawrence Vankoughnet, Deputy Superintendent General of Indian Affairs, to Rev. Roderick MacDonald, Indian Agent, March 12 1892, Library Archives Canada, RG10, Vol. 7761, File 27058.
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1893- Agricultural and Industrial Statistics- Nova Scotia- Pictou County
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Agricultural and Industrial Statistics, showing census data for Pictou County Mi'kmaq. Document lists various items, such as property, resources, implements, and agricultural capacity., Digital version of the second page was unavailable via LAC (broken link), but a screenshot of the transcript has been provided. The URL should lead to a proper copy of the original, once LAC has fixed the broken link., Annual Report of the Department of Indian Affairs for the Year Ended 31st December 1893 (Ottawa: Dominion of Canada, 1894), 256.
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1893- Report from Indian Agent Rev. Roderick McDonald
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Annual report from Indian Agent McDonald. Commented on various aspects of Mi'kmaq life in Pictou County, including references to wage labour, religion, agriculture, and domestic life and sanitation., EUREKA, PICTOU Co., N.S., 18th November, 1893.
The Honourable
The Superintendent General of Indian Affairs, Ottawa.
SIR, - I herewith submit my tabular statement on Indian affairs in my agency for the past year ended 30th June.
I am pleased to state that no contagious disease appeared among the Indians of this reserve; they seem to realize the necessity of cleanliness in their houses, and this, no doubt, will aid materially in warding off contagious diseases, and add to the general health of the community. For the past Several years they have associated in the way of work and otherwise with the white people, and have, as a consequence, although slowly, copied some of their improvements.
I regret to have to state that there is no school on this reserve. The land is divided up into four small settlements, therefore rendering it impossible to establish a school. A few children attend the public schools.
The avocations of the Indians are various: some take up as a trade, coopering, basket-making, carpenter work, making axe and pick handles for the mines; others are at the Iron Works of Ferrona. They are fairly industrious, but change often from one work to another. They are indifferent about farming. They prefer other employment which gives immediate results.
They gathered this year as usual to the Indian Island to celebrate the Festival of St. Ann. It is the only time of the year when they are all assembled.
They take a lively interest in their new church, which is not yet finished inside.
I have the honour to be, sir,
Your obedient servant,
RODERICK McDONALD,
Agent District No 8., Annual Report of the Department of Indian Affairs for the Year Ended 31st December 1893 (Ottawa: Dominion of Canada, 1894), 240.
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1894- Annual Report from Indian Agent Rev. Roderick McDonald
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Annual report from Indian Agent Rev. R. McDonald to Department of Indian Affairs. Referenced the "industriousness" of the Pictou Mi'kmaq, a decline in the cod fishery, eel and smelt fishing, the lack of a school due to families living in smaller camps in the district for most of the year, and St. Anne's Day celebrations., EUREKA, N.S., 19th November, 1894.
The Honourable
The Superintendent General of Indian Affairs, Ottawa.
SIR, - I have the, honour to submit my annual report and tabular statement for the year ended 30th June, 1894.
Beyond the information contained in the tabular statement, very little can be said. The Indians in this district are gradually becoming more industrious, and every year falling into line with white people in earning a livelihood. They are abandoning hunting and sea fishing, for game is scarce in the forest, and cod-fishing around the coast uncertain. They occupy themselves in the winter season principally with basket-making, and providing material for butter tubs, also in smelt and eel fishing in the harbour. A few families are employed at the iron works at Ferrona. In the summer season there is very little appearance of want, unless among the old and sick, for it is then less expensive to live and they have more opportunities of obtaining work.
The general health of the band is fairly good. I have not known for the last year or more of any contagious disease among these Indians. The principal disease is of a pulmonary character.
There is no school taught in this district, for the reason that the Indians are scattered all over the country in small encampments of about five or six families each. Were they all settled in one place, a school could be kept up. The only time they are all brought together is on the festival of St. Anne, 26th July.
I have the honour to be, sir, Your obedient servant, RODERICK McDONALD, Agent District 8., Annual Report of the Department of Indian Affairs for the Year Ended 31st December 1894 (Ottawa: Dominion of Canada, 1895), 186.
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1894- Tabular Statement No. 2 - Agricultural and Industrial Statistics- Pictou County
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Tabular statement showing property and implement ownership for various Mi'kmaq populations, including Pictou County., Only first page of original version was available on the LAC website. Linked URL will provide access once the broken link is fixed. Second page is a transcription of original source., Annual Report of the Department of Indian Affairs for the Year Ended 31st December 1894 (Ottawa: Dominion of Canada, 1895), 242-243.
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1895- Annual Report- Rev. Roderick McDonald, Pictou County Indian Agent
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Annual letter from Pictou Landing Indian Agent Roderick McDonald. Reported that the church on Indian Island had been destroyed in a storm, a temporary chapel erected to take its place. Also mentioned potato farming and lack of manure for general farming., DISTRICT No. 8,
EUREKA, N.S., 1st October, 1895.
The Honourable
The Superintendent General of Indian Affairs, Ottawa.
SIR, - I have the honour to present my annual report and tabular statement for the year ended 30th June, 1895. The condition of things in this agency has not changed very much since my last report.
The loss, by storm last fall, of the church on Indian Island has been a serious blow to the poor Indians of this district. They have erected a temporary chapel near the old site which will have to do until such time as with outside assistance they are able to rebuild.
There is at present very little sickness here among the Indians. The lack of sufficient clothing during the cold winter is largely the cause of sickness and brings on consumption, to which they are predisposed.
The potato crop looks very well, and will be of great benefit to those who have planted. It is difficult to induce them to take an interest in farming unless they get assistance from the government. There are, however, a few families who realize the benefit derived from it. The great drawback in farming among them is the want of manure. They have no money to invest in chemical fertilizers, which are expensive.
I have the honour to be, sir, Your obedient servant, RODERICK McDONALD, Agent., Dominion of Canada, Annual Report of the Department of Indian Affairs for the year ended 30th June 1895 (Ottawa: Government of Canada, 1896), 207., Rev. Roderick MacDonald, Indian Agent, to Thomas Mayne Daly, Superintendent General of Indian Affairs, October 1st 1895, Dominion of Canada, Annual Report of the Department of Indian Affairs for the year ended 30th June 1895 (Ottawa: Government of Canada, 1896), 207.
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1896- Annual Report from Indian Agent Rev. Roderick McDonald
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Annual report from Indian Agent Roderick McDonald, Pictou County. Reported that many men from the reserve worked at the iron ore docks at Pictou Landing, and that the potato crop was successful., MICMACS OF PICTOU COUNTY, EUREKA, 28th September, 1896.
The Honourable
The Superintendent General of Indian Affairs, Ottawa.
SIR, - I have the honour to transmit my yearly report and tabular statement for the year ended 30th June, 1896.
General Progress. - As these reports are given annually, general information can well be dispensed with. It is difficult to judge of the change taking place in the Indian character from year to year; but taking a period of ten years I can easily discern a transformation towards a more useful life.
Occupation. - The Indians do not take as readily to farming as they do to the other avocations. Many of them are engaged this summer in discharging iron ore at Pictou Landing, and are considered excellent workmen.
Education. - There are no schools in this district.
Crops. - They derived a marked benefit from last year's potato crop, which was very good. Health. - The tribe was free from contagious disease during last year.
Characteristics. - I am pleased to state that they are moral in character and cleanly in their habits.
I have, & c.,
RODERICK McDONALD,
Indian Agent.
NOVA SCOTIA,, Dominion of Canada, Annual Report of the Department of Indian Affairs for the year ended 30th June 1896 (Ottawa: Government of Canada, 1897), 63-64.
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1896- Tabular Statement- Agricultural and Industrial Statistics
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Annual census of agricultural and industrial statistics. Reported on land cleared and planted, and also on implements and manufactures for various reserves., Dominion of Canada, Annual Report of the Department of Indian Affairs for the year ended 30th June 1896 (Ottawa: Government of Canada, 1897), 422-423.