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- 1863- Report of Committee on Indian Affairs
- Report on Indian Affairs in Nova Scotia from a series of Commissioners. Letter reports on various Counties and Mi'kmaq lands. Commissioners emphasized that although Pictou County had one of the largest Mi'kmaq populations, they had no lands reserved for their use., "In the report of last year, the Committee on Indian Affairs noticed the fact that although Pictou contained the largest Indian population of any county in the province, there was no Indian reserves in the county. In order to provide a home, and encourage the settlement of the Indians, we recommend the purchase of a lot of land for their exclusive benefit, to be vested in the Commissioners as in other counties, the payment to be made from the general Indians fund, at their credit with the province. The appointment of a suitable person in the county to conduct the purchase, your committee think desirable, provided it can be done without expense.", William Ross, et. al, Indian Commissioners, April 1 1863, in Journal and Votes of the House of Assembly for the Province of Nova Scotia, 1863 Session, Appendix No. 37, pg. 1-2.
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- 1863- Series of Letters pertaining to land survey for Mi'kmaq of Pictou County
- A series of letters discussing the survey of land in Pictou County for the Mi'kmaq. The letters show that while the government had plans to survey lands for the Mi'kmaq in this region, they never did so, and the issue was left in limbo. These letters highlight the need for Mi'kmaq land and there seems to be a sense of urgency in pushing forward with surveys., “Truro 10 June 1863 W.H. Keating, Esq. My Dear Sir, Mr. R.P. Grant writes me that no commissioner has even been sent to Mr. J.D.B. Fraser appointing a commissioner to purchase the Indian lands at Pictou which by the report of a committee of the Assembly were directed to be bought out of the proceeds of sales of Indian Lands. [Pg.2] The matter was talked over in Council and I was under the impression the appointment had been made but cannot be sure. Please look into it and acquaint Mr. Grant with the results. If the matter was not decided on of course, that ends it, till there is somebody else to [pg.3] Advise. Yours Truly, A.J. Archibald [This writing appears on bottom of letter and perhaps is a response] The appointment was made but up to this date the Report has not secured any lands. What instructions are to be given to are to be given or is the purchase [] what locality – [] Report No. 37 Dear Sir, In consequence of a note received from the Attorney General, I write to inform you that the late Governor appointed Mr. J.B.B. Fraser to be the Commissioner for purchasing Indian lands at Pictou – but with a direction not of [gazette] the appointment – no commission has therefore [pg. 5] Opened, and it would be necessary that it should be accompanied by more definite instructions as to the extent and value of the purchase which if agreed upon have not been intimated to me. I presume therefore that the question will remain for the decision of the present Council. Yours respectfully, W.H. Keating 18 June 1863", Public Archives of Nova Scotia, Indian Commissioner Series, Vol. 431, File 137.
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- 1864- Letter containing details for purchase of land for Mi'kmaq at Fisher's Grant
- Letter from Indian Commissioner Fairbanks to the Provincial Secretary, reporting that land had been purchased for the Mi'kmaq of Pictou County. The letter reports that the Mi'kmaq had taken possession of the land and were highly satisfied with the 50 acre lot. Of course, this land would be seen as insufficient within a decade, with more land being added over the next 50 years., "The recommendation of the committee of the House during its last session, that a tract of land should be purchased for the Indians in the county of Pictou, has been carried out, and they are in possession of it. There were no reserves in that [pg.2] county, and hence the necessity of providing a home for them which I believe has afforded much satisfaction.", Samuel P. Fairbanks, Indian Commissioner, to the Provincial Secretary, February 1 1864, in Journal and Votes of the House of Assembly for the Province of Nova Scotia, 1864 Session, Appendix No. 37, pg. 1-2.
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- 1864- Report of Committee on Indian Affairs
- Report on Indian Land Commission that eventually purchased land at Fisher's Grant for the Pictou County Mi'kmaq. This report discussed the use of money from the sale of Mi'kmaq lands in Cape Breton to purchase Mi'kmaq land in Pictou County to create the reserve at Fisher's Grant., "We cannot agree to the 4th clause on the grounds that we conceive the Indian lands were originally granted for the benefit of Indians throughout the Province, and not for any particular section of them. In the county of Pictou the Indian population is larger than that of any county, except perhaps that of Cape Breton; and we are of opinion that the Indians of Pictou are entitled to a fair proportion of the provision afforded by the funds arising from the sale of any portion of the large quantity of lands set apart for Indians in the Island of Cape Breton.", Donald Fraser, and Robert Robertson, Indian Commissioners, to Provincial Secretary, in Journal and Votes of the House of Assembly for the Province of Nova Scotia, 1864 Session, Appendix No. 37, pg. 5-7.
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- 1865- Letter Pertaining to Payment for House built by Mi'kmaq man in Pictou County
- Letter written by Indian Commissioner Samuel Fairbanks asking about a request for payment from a Mi'kmaq man in Pictou County. Fairbanks stated that the House of Assembly in Halifax granted permission for four Mi'kmaq (one in Pictou, three in Antigonish) to be repaid $20 for building houses, which would come from the Indian Fund (which was an account where all monies from land sales were placed). Fairbanks was unsure if this was the correct way to fund house building, as the fund was supposed to be used to clothe and feed "distressed" Mi'kmaq people., 27 [October] 1865 Sir During the last sitting of the House of Assembly the Committee on Indian Affairs recommended that the sum of twenty dollars each should be paid to four Indians viz one in Pictou and three in Antigonish Counties towards building their houses- and to be paid out of the funds granted for the supply of clothing for the Indians generally. I am now called upon by the Indian at Pictou, to pay the amount allotted to him – and have a satisfactory Certificate that the house was erected. I have doubts however whether I am justified in paying these sums – for the report is at variance with the law which restricts all allowances to the supply of clothing – and if sanctioned, it will no doubt be followed by other applications – and the charitable intention be obfuscated. At various times by order of the Government and to mark an immediate cause of distress – small sums have been awarded – but in making my purchases – it is to be very [] if I cannot be certain of the amount [pg. 2] At my disposal. The proceeds of the Indian Reserves, which in accordance with the act are paid into the fund should in my opinion contribute to the fund from which these allowances ought to be made – The representations from [C, J?] Barton have influenced our opinions, that the portion [] from the sales of the Islands ought to be appropriated exclusively to the Indians residing there. I may observe in annum to this, that they got their fair share of the annual appropriation for clothing, that they often change their abode to this province – and that it would be in every way more convenient to regard the proceeds as a common fund for the benefit of the whole tribe. I have no doubt there will be sufficient to meet the provisions of the act, for I dear but few of them will be disposed to settle on the land. I am anxious to have all [] amount as to my course in these matters, and have therefore been more particular in my remarks on the subject. If the government approves of these sums being paid from the Indian fund in the Treasury, I have respectfully to request an [Pg. 3] Order to that effect – and the necessary Certificates will be obtained, before payments are made. I am Sir, Your Obedient Servant, Samuel Fairbanks Indian Commissioner, Public Archives of Nova Scotia, Indian Commissioner Series, Vol. 431.
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- 1865- Report of Indian Commissioner Fairbanks
- Indian Commissioner Samuel P. Fairbanks annual report. Lists a "Rev. Thos. Sears" at Pictou as receiving 62 blankets and 10 great coats for Indians in Pictou County in 1864. Also reported that $401.25 was spent to purchase Fisher's Grant IR no. 24 in 1864., "Less- Amount Paid, purchase land, Pictou....$401.25", Samuel P. Fairbanks, Indian Commissioner, to Provincial Secretary, in Journal and Votes of the House of Assembly for the Province of Nova Scotia, 1865 Session, Appendix No. 19, pg. 1-4.
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- 1866- Letter from James Lang discussing Mi'kmaq land in Pictou
- An interesting letter from a man named James Lang, from River John. The letter discussed various subjects, including the abolishment of slavery in Great Britain, but mostly focused on the need for Mi'kmaq reserves in Pictou County. The letter pointed to several acts passed in Parliament and in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly that legislated various land rights to the Mi'kmaq in Nova Scotia. It is unclear whether James Lang is a Mi'kmaq man or a settler, but the prose of the letter suggests he may have been Mi'kmaq., My Lord, God stirred up the Spirit of Cyrus who gave the Jews their own land with gold, silver, cattle amd goods to settle it that was god’s plan, tho [sic] the wicked opposed it. Ezra, Chapter 6 verse. Great Britain gave [pounds] 20,000,000 to free the Negros 3 days in the week for three years, when the money was paid Daniel O. Bond carried a resolution in Parliament that they be set free, government obeyed and sent an order to free them, it gave him an immortal name in History. Great Britain gave the Indians of this Province thousands of acres of land to settle on in 1859, the [humble?] took it all from them, and the Act distinctly states when they pay there [late?], it is to be left to the government weather [sic] they get it or not. In 1860 Joseph Howe carried a resolution that said an Indian was to receive a deed of a hundred acres to be sold only to Indians only. Forever the government has failed to give deeds according to that resolution. In 1862 I offered the dividends and interest of $100 in Pictou [] [] yearly to Rev. McDonald, Priest, if it was in his power to get a lot of land (as I had failed with the M.P. who had for the Law of 1859 who excluded them except at the option of the Government) he got 50 acres immediately. Two Indians settled on it. He applyed [sic] to the Committee of the Assembly of 1865 for Deeds butt [sic] failed. [] the same committee reported that two Indians had settled in Cape Breton but did not say they were to get Deeds nor any of the Infians of these over $1000 did they recommend for there [sic] encouragement, butt [sic] recommended to sell a part of the lands. $5000 is granted to help the foreigners who immigrate to help him to settle, butt [sic] not a cent is for Natives. Yours Truly, James Lang River John 27 January 1866, Public Archives of Nova Scotia, Indian Commissioner Series, Vol. 431, file 144.
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- 1869-Colony of Canada,Annual Report of the Secretary of State for the Year 1868 (Ottawa: Hunter. Rose & Co., 1869), 30.
- Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) and Library Archives Canada (LAC) maintains the published annual reports from various Indian agencies in Canada from 1864 to 1990. Each report collected information from Department employees, such as Indian Agents, and compiled them into a comprehensive bound book. The reports contain census data, health and 'morality' reports, discussion of events and happenings in specific communities and districts, and financial information about the Department. Many of the letters printed in the reports may also appear in the correspondence files, which might result in duplication in this database., Census information reported that the "Indians of Pictou County numbered 195" (30).
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- 1871- REPORT OF THE INDIAN BRANCH OF THE DEPARTMENT OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE PROVINCE, 1871
- Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) maintains the published annual reports from various Indian agencies in Canada from 1864 to 1990. Each report collected information from Department employees, such as Indian Agents, and compiled them into a comprehensive bound book. The reports contain census data, health and 'morality' reports, discussion of events and happenings in specific communities and districts, and financial information about the Department. Many of the letters printed in the reports may also appear in the correspondence files, which might result in duplication in this database., “Indians of Picton [sic]” reported as 125 in 1871., There had been little reported for Nova Scotia in terms of census data is surrounding years. And, the census takers expressed the difficulty of taking population numbers as people often moved around at different times of the year.
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- 1873-11-03
- General census of the Pictou Landing Indian Reserve. Census data was incomplete as many families were not present when the census taker collected data., "Sir, I send you enclosed the Indian Census of my district. It may not be strictly correct but it is the nearest proximate I can make with the means at present within my reach. I regret that I am under the necessity of returning to your office a Blank School Report. We have no schools and no means of building school houses. I am Sincerely Rev. Macdonald"
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- 1873-11-03
- General census of the Pictou Landing Indian Reserve. Census data was incomplete as many families were not present when the census taker collected data., "Census Return of the Micmac Indians of district no. 4 Pictou N.S. made on the 3rd Day of November 1873. Adults: Men 40, women 45; Youths: Males 20, Females 17; Children: Males 22, females 42. Total 192. Decrease from last census 18. Remarks: The decrease can be explained by taking into account that several famalies have for the present removed from this district."
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- 1873-11-03
- Forward of Mcdonald's info about Pictou Reserve, states that there is no fund for school house.