| Note |
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, |