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Annual Report from Indian Agent John McLeod. McLeod reported that there was not enough land for a single white family to grow crops, let alone a whole Mi'kmaq community. Details given on education, morality, and labour.

1901-08-20
1901-08-20

John D. McLeod (Indian Agent) (Author)

Annual Report

NOVA SCOTIA, MICMACS OF PICTOU COUNTY, NEW GLASGOW, August 20, 1901. The Honourable The Superintendent General of Indian Affairs, Ottawa. SIR, - I beg to submit my annual report for the year ended June 30, 1901. Reserve. - The Fisher's Grant reserve, the larger of the two reserves committed to my charge, contains an area of one hundred and sixty-four acres. About thirty-five acres of this is cleared; the rest is under wood. The land is strewn with rocks and boulders and a great amount of labour is required to make it fruitful. A white could hardly wrest a living from the entire reserve for his individual family. Here dwell the greater number by far of the Micmacs in this county. They imperatively need more land. The smaller reserve at Indian Island, Merigomish, has at present a population of thirty-three persons. The amount of land cultivated here is insignificant. The Indians have no means to cultivate or fertilize the land. It is their place of pilgrimage in the summer. This island is abandoned during the winter. Vital Statistics. - The population of this agency is one hundred and thirty-four. The number of births was three and deaths three. Health. - Poorly fed, housed and clad, the Indians are not very robust. Consumption finds them easy victims and here is the proper environment for its deadly work. Precautions have been taken to prevent its spread as far as circumstances permit. Resources and Occupations. - The Indians in this agency are very industrious. They make baskets and pick-handles and fish for eels when the rivers are frozen over, and occasionally they work at loading and unloading ships at Pictou Landing. Farming for the reasons given above is not remunerative. Stock. - The Indians have a few horses but no cows. Education. - Mr. John Martin, a competent teacher, holding a 'B' license, taught school during the past year with great success, and endeared himself to all by his kindness and assiduity. The children attended well and made gratifying progress. At figures they are particularly apt. Religion and Morality. - All the Indians of this agency are Roman Catholics. With very few exceptions they are sober, honest and industrious. I have, & c., JOHN D. MCLEOD, Indian Agent.

eng

Annual Report of the Department of Indian Affairs for the Year Ended June 30, 1901 (Ottawa: Dominion of Canada, 1902), 68.