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Annual Report from Pictou County Indian Agent Rev. J.D. McLeod. Report mentions the recent addition of 36 acres to the Reserve, making the total area 200 acres. Details on occupations, health, religion and education are also recorded.

1904-07-23
1904-07-23

John D. McLeod (Indian Agent) (Author)

Annual Report

MICMACS OF PICTOU COUNTY, NEW GLASGOW, July 23, 1904. 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, 1904. Reserves. - There are two reserves in this agency, the Indian Island reserve and the reserve at Fisher's Grant. A piece of land adjoining the Fisher's Grant reserve was bought by the department during the past year, enlarging the reserve by 36 acres. The Fisher's Grant reserve has now an area of 200 acres. This increased land property should prove a boon to the Indians here. Vital Statistics. - The combined population of the two reserves is 155. There were 5 deaths and 5 births during the year. A family of 5 moved to the Fisher's Grant reserve from Cape Breton. Health. - The health of the Indians has been good. A few deaths from consumption occurred during the year. Occupations. - Farming, fishing, coopering and the making of baskets and pick handles are the avocations in which the Indians are employed. Many of the Indians get work at Pictou Landing during the summer months, loading and unloading steamers. Buildings. - The houses of the Indians are fairly large and comfortable. The Indians are ever anxious to improve their houses and their village at Fisher's Grant presents a pretty appearance from the highway. Education. - The school at Fisher's Grant is keeping up the good record it has made. The attendance during the winter months was good, and the children under the tuition of Miss Carrie A. McDonald, have made much progress. The work done in this school has been lately most favourably commented upon by the public press. Religion. - All the Indians of this agency are Roman Catholics and much attached to their faith. Temperance and Morality. - With a few exceptions, the Indians of Pictou county are sober and industrious. In their simple unworldly minds, religion is deeply rooted and it is edifying to observe the honesty and purity of their secluded lives. I have, & c., J.D. McLEOD, Indian Agent.

eng

Annual Report of the Department of Indian Affairs for the Year Ended June 30, 1904 (Ottawa: Dominion of Canada, 1905), 75-76.