Explore the Collection

Pages

1905-02-21
1905-02-21
In connection to purchasing more timber land for reserve at Pictou Landing, Chitty summed Mcleod's letter and reminded the department that the recently purchased land was not wooded land but for agriculture. Chitty stated that the cost wass so low that it was advisible to provide the Indians with more wooded land. He recommended the land be purchased as soon as possible.
1905-02-24
1905-02-24
In connection to purchasing more timber land for reserve at Pictou Landing, DIA accountant said that they should purchase land but would require a statement of timber quality before doing so. Recommended that as this was a "relief of distress" the money should be charged to the relief vote of NS .
1905-02-25
1905-02-25
In connection to purchasing more timber land for reserve at Pictou Landing, Mclean asked Mcleod to submit an estimate of the quality/quantity of wood on 10 acre plot for purchase for Fishers Grant Indians.
1905-04-01
1905-04-01
MP E.A. McDonald states that Mr. Sproull also has land that could be disposed to the "Mic macs" of Pictou landing. "There is quite a colony of Micmacs and who are very enthusiastic people and who have given up their old ways absolutely and I should be gald [sic] if it were possible, for you to do anything in the way of arranging for the purchase of this land."
1905-04-04
1905-04-04
Unclear author (likely someone from DIA) states that the land that Sproull wants to sell was proposed several years ago and was rejected as it was priced too high. Says that the department will not entertain buying it at this time.
1905-04-05
1905-04-05
Unclear author (likely someone from DIA) states that the land that Sproull wants to sell was proposed several years ago and was rejected as it was priced too high. Says that the department will not entertain buying it at this time.Land will not be purchased from Sproull as land is too highly priced and contains little hardwood.
1905-06-14
1905-06-14
Mcleod states that he has written the department several times asking for more wood for Pictou Landing. Mcleod reported that they have great difficulty in the winter and have to steal wood which makes relations with neighbours stressed. The land sale from 1903-1904 did not work out because the man who offered timber turned out to not have proper title. Another man (Captain Joseph) has tract of land with farm and timber but won't sell timber alone. Mcleod argued that this is the best available option (not joined to reserve but close). Mcleod "hopes the department will consider favourably. The situation and the immediate necessity of procuring for the Indians wooded land before the snows of another winter hit the ground."
1905-06-20
1905-06-20
In connection to purchasing more timber land for the Indians at Fishers Grant (Pictou Landing), Mclean presented the new plan and asked the department to consider it.
1905-07-21
1905-07-21
In connection to purchasing more timber land for the Indians at Fishers Grant (Pictou Landing), Mclean reported to Macleod that there were no available funds. Mclean stated that the department would pay for a moderate quantity of firewood for those unable to attain it themselves.
1905-08-31
1905-08-31
Complaint by settler Andrew Fraser over Indians from the Fishers Grant Reserve taking firewood from his land., A certain Andrew Fraser who owns wooded land near the Fisher's Grant Reserve is making a claim against the department of one hundred dollars as he says the indians have taken wood from his property the past two years with a value of $100.00. I told him I would acquiant you with the matter and find out what is to be done. Yours, J.D. Mcleod
1905-09-06
1905-09-06
In connection to complaint from settler Andrew Fraser about Indians from Fishers Grant cutting wood on his land, Mclean states the department claims no responsbility for the actions of the indians.
1906- Annual Report from Indian Agent J.D. McLeod
1906- Annual Report from Indian Agent J.D. McLeod
Annual Report from Indian Agent Rev. McLeod. Report is somewhat more poetic than his usual form. Details on housing, health, sickness, migrations, occupations and work, and religion. Specific mention is made to a abstinence from alcohol pledge made at the annual St Anne's day Celebration at Malagomich., 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,, Annual Report of the Department of Indian Affairs for the Year Ended June 30, 1906 (Ottawa: Dominion of Canada, 1907), 70-71.

Pages