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- 1908- Annual Report of Indian Agent J.D. McLeod
- Annual Report from Rev. J.D. McLeod. Report gave information on various aspects of life at Fisher's Grant, such as Census data, health, work, housing, and education., MICMACS OF PICTOU COUNTY, NEW GLASGOW, June 3, 1908. 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 fiscal year ended March 31, 1908. Reserve. - There are two reserves, Fisher's Grant reserve has an area of 200 acres. The other reserve is a small island near the settlement of Merigonish. Population. - The present population is 172, being an increase of 2 since last year. There were 7 births during the year. Health and Sanitation. - There has not been any epidemic disease. There has been one death from consumption, and one from pneumonia. Three infants died. These Indians understand how tuberculosis is communicated and are more careful their houses and yards are kept clean. Their dwellings are not as large as desirable. Several sick persons were sent for treatment to Aberdeen hospital, New Glasgow, where it was well-nigh impossible to do anything for them at home. Complete recoveries were made, except in one case, which is still under treatment. The humane generosity of the department in securing for these persons first-class medical treatment and nursing must make a profound impression. Occupations. - The avocations of these Indians are farming, fishing, coopering, making baskets, pick-handles, and from time to time hiring out as labourers. Stock. - They have several horses at Fisher's Grant reserve. They keep no cows or swine. Farm Implements. - They have a few ploughs and harrows, one cultivator and two carts. Education. - There is a good school at Fisher's Grant reserve. A very competent teacher is employed. The attendance is fair and good progress is made. Characteristics and Progress. - They are peaceful and law-abiding, scrupulously honest, and show great kindness towards the sick and destitute among them. Temperance and Morality. - The Indians, with very few exceptions, are strictly temperate and profoundly religious. I have, & c., J.D. McLEOD, Indian Agent., Annual Report of the Department of Indian Affairs for the Year Ended March 31 1908 (Ottawa:S.E. Dawson, Printer to the King's Most Excellent Majesty, 1908), 68.
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- 1908- Expenditure on Wooded Land for Pictou County Indian District
- Expenditure account noted "Purchase of wooded land in Colchester and Pictou Cos. ($1300)...Joseph Foster, 80 Acres, $700", Annual Report of the Department of Indian Affairs for the Year Ended June 30, 1903 (Ottawa: Dominion of Canada, 1904), I-14.
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- 1908-10-17
- Mcleod inquired if land had been purchased for the Fishers Grant Indians for firewood (Foster land).
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- 1908-10-18
- Foster, who had recently sold a tract of land to the Fishers Grant Reserve, stated that "Mckay and Shaw" had all of the documents relating to land sale.
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- 1908-10-21
- Secretary Stewart stated that the department had asked for more information about the Foster land purchase but Mcleod never sent it and land sale never completed.
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- 1908-11-06
- CK Sproull stated that it was unfair for government to buy land for the Indians as his land was now 'hemmed in' by Indians on all sides. He stated that the Foster sale of land required Indians to cross a harbour and also cross his land for them to have access to their new timber lot. Stated that the wood lot purchase wass too far from main reserve and as a result the Indians would cut the wood on his land. Reported that the Indians had been taking wood from his land for 5 years and he had received no compensation. Sproull stated that talking to the Indian Agent was of no use. Sproull offered to exchange land, albeit hesistantly, and said that his land would have no value anyway if this continues.
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- 1908-11-24
- In connection to purchase of Foster land for Indians at Fishers Grant, Mcleod stated that he responded to DIA requests for more information and that he confirmed with Mr. Foster about sale.
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- 1908-12-02
- In connection to purchase of Foster land for Indians at Fishers Grant, Mclean asked for Mcleod to arrange a land survey and to get a plan made for land.
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- 1909- Annual Report from Indian Agent J.D. McLeod
- Annual Report from Indian Agent Rev. John D. McLeod, outlining various aspects of life at Fisher's Grant Indian Reserve. Noted that 80 acres of woodlands had been added to the Reserve that year, brining the total land at Fisher's Grant to 280 acres. A small pox epidemic was currently impacting the region, and had killed two people to date., MICMACS OF PICTOU COUNTY, NEW GLASGOW, April 15, 1909. 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 fiscal year ended March 31, 1909. Reserve. - The Indians of this agency have two reserves. The larger reserve, situated near the entrance of Pictou harbour, has an area of 280 acres; 80 acres of wooded land were purchased during the year, which the Indians needed very much for fuel. The other reserve consists of a small island in Merigomish harbour, which the Indians leave during the winter months, when they live in shanties on the adjacent mainland until spring comes again. Population. - This agency has a population at present of 174. Health and Sanitation. - An epidemic of small-pox of a mild type prevailed throughout the agency for the past four or five months. The settlements of Indians, at Pictou Landing, Pine Tree and Loch Broom were quarantined from the beginning of January to the middle of April. All the Indians bad the disease except three or four families. Two deaths resulted from it. They have all now fully recovered. There was one death from tuberculosis during the year. After the necessary measures of disinfection, quarantine was raised about the middle of April. Occupations. - These Indians are engaged in farming, fishing, making baskets, moccasins, tubs, pick-handles, and some from time to time hire out as labourers. Buildings. - Most of the Indians have frame buildings for dwellings. Some of these houses, however, are too small to be sanitary or comfortable. There is a good school-house and a fine church. Stock. - There are a few horses owned on the larger reserve at Fisher's Grant. This, with a few hens, is the only stock kept. Farm Implements. - A few of the Indians possess ploughs and harrows, but most of the work of preparing the ground for seeding is done by hired teams. Education. - The school at Fisher's Grant reserve was fairly well attended during the fall months and good progress made by the pupils. On account of small-pox, school was closed a week or two before the Christmas holidays. It will re-open on April 19. Characteristics and Progress. - The Indians, as a rule, are industrious and law-abiding. As they have been idle now for the past few months, owing to the prolonged quarantine, I cannot report much improvement in their circumstances. Temperance and Morality. - These Indians are, with very few exceptions, temperate. The great majority do not even taste intoxicating drinks. They are to be considered, on the whole, a religious and moral community. I have, & c., J.D. MACLEOD, Indian Agent. NOVA SCOTIA,, Annual Report of the Department of Indian Affairs for the Year Ended March 31 1909 (Ottawa: C.H. Parmelee, Printer to the King's Most Excellent Majesty, 1909), 72-73.
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- 1909-05-12
- Chief Matthew Francis reported that a white man was taking sand from the foreshore of the Indian Reserve. Chief Fracnis wished to know how far their rights extended into the foreshore, and also requested a copy of the Indian Act., Dear Sir, I am here to inquire how is this reserve is running to the sea shore and I want to know how far it is out from the high water mark. The whiteman is taking away some of the sand for his own advantages from the high water mark to the low water mark in the reserve shore. The man who takes the sand away that is Mr. Charlie Gillies Sprowld [Sproull]. Please to let me know if I can stop from doing or not. Please send me also the following books of Indian Act of indian Affairs. Matthew Francis, Indian Chief Pictou Landing.
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- 1909-05-19
- In connection to Chief Matthew Francis reporting that a white man was removing sand from the reserve, McLean stated that he has contacted Indian Agent Mcleod to follow up. Mclean stated that in future Francis should always go to Agent. No mention of the requested documents.
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- 1909-05-19
- In connection to Chief Matthew Francis reporting that a white man was removing sand from the reserve, Mclean asked Mcleod to stop white man from taking sand from reserve. Mclean stated that no white man is allowed to trespass on the reserve.