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- 1901-05-02
- Bell (MP) reports that the Indians at Pine Tree, Indian Harbour, and Pictou Landing are "impovershed" of lands where they can cut firewood and as a consequence are trespassing on white lands to cut firewood. Says firewood is a necesity of life for Indians and more land should be given for firewood.
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- 1901-05-03
- Smart relays Bell's concerns about firewood land for Pictou County Indians, asks him what can be done
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- 1901-05-04
- Bray responds and states that he does not know of any request to expand timber lands at Pictou Landing. States that it was agricutural land, not timber, that was requested.
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- 1901-05-06
- MP Ball disagrees that timber land should be provided for the Indians. Says they still have ample timber at Pictou Landing even if is denuded at places like Pine Tree.
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- 1901-05-07
- Bell states that Pine Tree Gut Indians should be placed on reserve and Indian Agent should enforce boundaries.
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- 1901-05-08
- McLean instructs Indian Agent Mcdonald to report on the amount of timberland at Pictou Landing and surrounding Indian lands and to report back to the department with recommendations.
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- 1901-05-10
- Physical descriptions of reserve locations. Information about sales and changes to reserve in 19th century.
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- 1901-06-02
- JD Mcleod, the new Indian Agent for Pictou Landing (Fishers Grant) - stated that the Indians at Pictou Landing required more land for agriculture, firewood, and livestock. Also discussion of an Indian man who worked as a janitor at the school and was not paid. Two Indians ( Jasper Prosper and Sally Paul) were building houses and they needed assistance., "The indians under my charge need more land. They need land that can be cultivated. They need land that will supply them with wood, as it is pretty well used up now. With more land they might keep a few cows among them. At present there is not one. A tract of land could be acquired I think near their present property at Boat Harbour."
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- 1901-10-24
- Indian Agent Mcleod reported that the Indians at Pictou Landing had very little wood for the winter. A neighbour named Sproull "is offering sixty acres of well timbered land for sale" on a tract that adjoins the boat harbour reserve.
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- 1901-11-05
- In connection to purchasing more timber land for the reserve, George Chitty asked for more information on the quality of Sproull's land, and if there were funds to purchase.
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- 1901-11-13
- McLean stated that the department is favourable of the purchase of Sproull's land to add more timberland to the reserve, and asked Mcleod to approach Sproull to find out the lowest cash price so it could be voted upon in Parliament. Also asked him to look around the region to find out if there is cheaper land that could work.
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- 1902- Annual Report Indian Agent John McLeod
- Annual Report from Pictou County Indian Agent J.D. McLeod. McLeod reported on the various aspects of life at Fisher's Grant, including census data, health and morality, occupations, and location of families throughout the year., PROVINCE OF NOVA SCOTIA, MICMACS OF PICTOU COUNTY, NEW GLASGOW, July 11, 1902. The Honourable The Superintendent General of Indian Affairs, Ottawa. SIR, - I have the honour to submit my annual report and statistical statement for the year ended June 30, 1902. Reserves. - There are two reserves in this agency. The Fishers Grant reserve has an area of one hundred and sixty-four acres. The other reserve is a small island near Merigonish, on which the church stands. About thirty-seven Indians live on this island from June till October, when they migrate to the mainland at Pinetree, where they enjoy the convenient and hospitable neighbourhood of the dominant race during the winter months. Vital Statistics. - The combined population of the two reserves is one hundred and thirty-nine. There were three births and three deaths during the year. A family of four came to Chapel Island from Cape Breton. Resources and Occupations. - Basket-making, coopering and farming are the avocations in which the Indians are employed. Quite a number during the summer months get employment loading and unloading steamers at Pictou Landing. Religion. - They are all Roman Catholics and much attached to their faith. Education. - For the past four years a school has been in operation at Indian cove, Pictou Landing. The children have made excellent progress in that time in reading and arithmetic. These good results are due in great measure to their efficient and energetic teacher, Miss Nellie Connolly. Three pupils attended the manual training school at Pictou and made good use of their opportunities. Health. - The health of the Indians during the past year has usually been good. The deaths occurring were from tuberculosis; a few are suffering from the same trouble at present. The government's efforts in educating the Indian's in hygienic laws, to be observed in cases of consumption will no doubt be beneficial. Characteristics. - The Indians generally are honest, law-abiding and industrious. There are a few instances of the hereditary weakness of the race for 'fire-water'. I have, & c., J. MCLEOD, Indian Agent., Annual Report of the Department of Indian Affairs for the Year Ended June 30, 1902 (Ottawa: Dominion of Canada, 1903), 68., J.D. MacLeod, Indian Agent, to Clifford Sifton, July 11th 1902, Annual Report of the Department of Indian Affairs for the Year Ended June 30, 1902 (Ottawa: Dominion of Canada, 1903), 68.