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1897- Agricultural and Industrial Statistics- Full Census
Complete census for Pictou Landing Indians is included in this comprehensive report. Contains information on religion, agriculture, buildings on reserve, population, financial income, property, and other elements., Dominion of Canada, Annual Report of the Department of Indian Affairs for the year ended 30th June 1897 (Ottawa: Government of Canada, 1898), 412., Dominion of Canada, Annual Report of the Department of Indian Affairs for the year ended 30th June 1897 (Ottawa: Government of Canada, 1898), 412-423.
1897- Indian Agent Report- Rev. Roderick McDonald, Pictou County
Annual report from Indian Agent McDonald. McDonald reported that wage labour was becoming increasingly important to the Pictou Landing Mi'kmaq economy, as well as agriculture. Also stated that the new church on Indian Island was completed after the previous one had been destroyed in a storm., NOVA SCOTIA, MICMACS OF PICTOU COUNTY, EUREKA, 28th September, 1897. The Honourable The Superintendent General of Indian Affairs, Ottawa. SIR, - With the statistical statement inclosed I submit my report of matters concerning the Indians within my district for the year ended 30th June last. Occupation. - The progress of the age acts slowly upon Indian character, yet it is plainly perceptible. They are beginning to realize the independence of white people, and are making an effort to imitate them. For the last two summers many of them have been employed at Pictou Landing, discharging ore for the iron works of Ferrona. They prove themselves faithful workers, and earn wages ranging from $1.25 to $2 per day. Others of them are employed principally making pick-handles and butter tubs. To procure suitable material for these they locate themselves where wood is most plentiful, and claim the right of taking whatever the require. It is pleasing to observe the lively interest taken by the Indians of Indian Cove this summer in farming. This is the first year they put in the crop with their own teams, and without the aid of white people, and they seem to have taken great pride in accomplishing such a feat. The crop is very promising but as it is not yet harvested, I am not able to report as to the yield. Health and Sanitary Condition. - There has been no contagious disease among the Indians of this district for several years past. They are cleanly in their habits, and their houses and camps are sufficiently ventilated to give them all the pure air they require. The surroundings of their houses are kept clean and their water supply is, as a rule, too far away from their dwelling to be contaminated by any impurities. Religion. - I am pleased to report that they are very moral in their conduct, and imbued with the spirit of religion. They feel proud of the beautiful church erected for them on Indian Island this summer, through the generosity of the department. This church is 60 x 36 feet and 15 foot post. It is a very substantial building, finished both outside and inside. It was dedicated to divine service on the 24th July last by His Lordship the Right Reverend J. Cameron, Bishop of Antigonish. I have, & c., RODERICK McDONALD, Indian Agent., Dominion of Canada, Annual Report of the Department of Indian Affairs for the year ended 30th June 1897 (Ottawa: Government of Canada, 1898), 64., Roderick MacDonald to Clifford Sifton, September 28th 1897, Dominion of Canada, Annual Report of the Department of Indian Affairs for the year ended 30th June 1897 (Ottawa: Government of Canada, 1898), 64.
1898- Census of Various Reserves in each District- Pictou County
This census gave information about the various places that Mi'kmaq people lived in Pictou County. It contains population figures for Indian Cove (Boat Harbour/Fishers Grant), and Pine Tree. No population is listed as living on Chapel/Indian Island., Dominion of Canada, Annual Report of the Department of Indian Affairs for the year ended 30th June 1898 (Ottawa: Government of Canada, 1899), 411.
1898- Tabular Statement on Reserves in Canada- Pictou County
Table from Annual Report listing each of the surveyed reserves in Pictou County, including history of purchases and alterations., Dominion of Canada, Annual Report of the Department of Indian Affairs for the year ended 30th June 1898 (Ottawa: Government of Canada, 1899), 395.
1898- Tabular Statement- Agricultural and Industrial Statistics- Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, PEI
General census of agricultural and industrial statistics for different Indigenous populations in eastern Canada. Contains information for Pictou County Mi'kmaq, including stats on plowed land, implements, value of land, buildings, property, population, and profits from manufacture and wage labour., Dominion of Canada, Annual Report of the Department of Indian Affairs for the year ended 30th June 1898 (Ottawa: Government of Canada, 1899), 452-470.
1899- Agricultural and Industrial Statistics- Indian Districts in Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and PEI
Annual census of agricultural and industrial statistics for districts in eastern provinces. Includes information on Pictou County reserves, such as land value, amount of land cleared, types of crops planted, population, income from wage labour, property owned, buildings, and other elements., Dominion of Canada, Annual Report of the Department of Indian Affairs for the year ended 30th June 1899 (Ottawa: S.E. Dawson Printer to the Queen’s Most Excellent Majesty, 1900), 524-545.
1899- Department of Indian Affairs Population Census- Pictou County
Population census for reserves in Pictou County. Listed 132 people living at Fishers Grant Reserve, and 30 at Indian Island., "Micmacs of Pictou County at...Fisher's Grant...132....Indian Island...30.", Dominion of Canada, Annual Report of the Department of Indian Affairs for the year ended 30th June 1899 (Ottawa: S.E. Dawson Printer to the Queen’s Most Excellent Majesty, 1900), 481.
1899- Report from Rev. Roderick McDonald (Indian Agent)
Annual Letter from Indian Agent McDonald. Discussed the re-opening of the school at Indian Cove after it had been closed for several years due to the lack of a teacher. Also highlighted the role of agricultural and of wage labour at local docks., MICMACS OF PICTOU COUNTY, EUREKA, October 5, 1899. The Honourable The Superintendent General of Indian Affairs, Ottawa. SIR, - I have the honour to submit my annual report of Indian affairs in this county for the year ended June 30, 1899. Reserves. - I may briefly state, in the beginning, that there are two reserves in Pictou County - one at Fisher's Grant, with an area of one hundred and sixty-four acres; the other consisting of two islands in Merigonish Harbour, Indian Island and Moolie's Island, or Island A and Island B, so-called, having a combined area of about sixty-five acres. No more than one-third of the land on these islands is under cultivation. The soil is very fertile. The Indians seem to regard Indian Island as a resort where they meet several times a year for various purposes. There they have their church and burial ground. Occupation. - The Indians reside principally on the Fisher's Grant Reserve, and are awakening to the benefits of growing crops, especially a potato crop, for which the land there seems to be particularly adapted. On this reserve they are near public works, such as loading and unloading vessels, at which they earn good wages. They are still very conservative of their language and customs, notwithstanding their daily associations with their more civilized neighbours. Education. - The old school-house on the Fisher's Grant Reserve had been thoroughly renovated last fall, and school opened on October 18, under the efficient management of Miss Nelly E. Connoly. Although the attendance was fairly good during the term, the teacher had to contend with several disadvantages. The children, at the commencement of the term, scarcely understood a word of English, and explanations from the teacher were, therefore, largely lost upon them. With perseverance she overcame these difficulties, and I am pleased to state that Mr. McLellan, the inspector of schools for the county, having examined school, paid a high compliment to the efficiency of the teacher in the progress made by the children. I have, & c., RODERICK McDONALD, Indian Agent., Dominion of Canada, Annual Report of the Department of Indian Affairs for the year ended 30th June 1899 (Ottawa: S.E. Dawson Printer to the Queen’s Most Excellent Majesty, 1900), 70.
1899-02-16
Secretary McLean requests confirmation that small piece of land transferred to Fisher's Grant Indians at confederation is the same as the one marked "Res. No. 24" on official plans.
1899-04-24
In response to inquiry about Reserve No. 24, Agent confirms that these are the same piece of land that was trasnferred at Confederation.
1899-04-29
Agent writes to tell dept that he thinks that all of the Pictou County indians should be placed on one large reserve and not scattered about. He says that there reserve now numbers about 164 acres, but only about 25 of those are arable. He also states that it is difficult to get more than half of the children to attend the Indian School at Pictou Landing. Recommends a parcel of land nearby that could be purchased.
1899-04-29b
1899-05-04
Bray explains that Agent Macdonald requests purchase of more land at Pictou landing and then placing all the Indians in Pictou County at this large reserve. States that there are no funds available for this purchase. Bray also states that the only Indian land that the department knows about in Pictou County is the land already reserved for the Pictou landing band, hints that there could be some that they are not aware of.
1899-05-05
Mclean reports to Agent Macdonald that there is no funds, and also seeks to understand where the other Indian land in Pictou County is as the department is not aware of other lands. Mentions Pine Tree and Indian Cove as places where Indians reside but are not reserved.
1899-05-17
Indian Agent concerned that settlers on lands bordering reserves are illegally cutting timber, but the land hadn't been surveyed yet so agent was not sure how to proceed.
1899-05-17
Agent Mcdonald explains that there are no other Indian Reserves in Pictou County other than the ones that are known. Indian Cove is Fishers Grant, and Pine Tree is a village of Indian squatters who seek government approval for ownership of that land. Mcdonald states he thinks that all reserves should be one block, not scattered. Pine Tree is good for fishing and it is near the market at New Glasgow. Says that those at Fisher's Grant are making better use of land for farming. Gives a list of names of people who do not have any cleared land. Most of them are men who married women in Pictou Landing and moved there but do not have land.
1899-05-22
Mclean responded to Mcdonald's concerns about white men cutting timber on the reserve at Pictou Landing by requesting that the land be surveyed and asked for expected costs. He also notes that is is the responsibility of those cutting timber to understand the boundaries.
1899-05-23
Mclean states that the department has no means of purchasing more land, and that the Indians should focus on clearing all the lands they already have.
1899-06-08
McLean responds with costs of survey ($3 a day for three days). The land, where white men were suspected of cutting timber on Pictou Landing reserves, was between the Fishers Grant Reserve and the land of G. Sproul (sp). Gives geographic info about what land is disputed.
1899-06-22
S. Bray (likely from government accounting office) says that survey of land between Sproull and Pictou Landing should be done. Notes in the ledger say that the survey will take place as soon as "supplies" for 1899-1900 are available.