Eskasoni First Nation

The Eskasoni Mi'kmaw Nation (Miꞌkmaq: Eskissonqnik) is a band government of the Mi'kmaq First Nations, located in Unama'ki (Cape Breton), Nova Scotia, Canada. As of 2021, Eskasoni has a membership of 4,675. Of this population, 3,973 live on-Reserve, and 667 live off-Reserve.[5]

Eskasoni Mi'kmaw Nation
Band No. 23
PeopleMiꞌkmaq
ProvinceNova Scotia
Land[1]
Main reserveEskasoni 3
Other reserve(s)
Land area42.809 km2
Population (2021)[2]
On reserve3973
Off reserve700
Total population4673
Government[3]
ChiefLeroy Denny
Council size12
Tribal Council[4]
Union of Nova Scotia Miꞌkmaq
Website
eskasoni.ca

History
On-reserve populations
YearPop.±%
1871125—    
189180−36.0%
1900140+75.0%
1941200+42.9%
19912,206+1003.0%
20012,741+24.3%
20235,064+84.8%
Source: Statistics Canada,[6][7]

The word 'Eskasoni' is derived from the Mi'kmaq word We'kwistoqnik, which means 'where the fir trees are plentiful'.[8]

In 1942, the federal government enacted a centralization policy through Indian Affairs. This policy led to the forced relocation of hundreds of Mi’kmaq from to two reserves – Eskasoni and Shubenacadie, known today as Sipekne’katik.[9] This led to rapid population growth in Eskasoni, which was previously home to less than 200 residents.

In 2016 Dr. Mohan Singh Virick, a Sikh doctor who served Eskasoni for 50 years, donated 140 hectares (335 acres) of land.[10] He also donated several buildings in Sydney to help house Eskasoni's growing population.[11]

Present day

Eskasoni is the most populous community of the Mi'kmaq Nation. It has its own community radio station, CICU-FM, broadcasting at 94.1 MHz. The Eskasoni First Nation is also home of the Unama'ki Institute of Natural Resources, a Mi'kmaq organization devoted to natural resources and the environment.

The community operates its own school board, providing services to children from kindergarten to grade 12.[12]

The Eskasoni First Nation is composed of three parts:

CommunityAreaLocationPopulationDate established
Eskasoni 33,504.6 hectares (8,660 acres)40 km. southwest of Sydney3,973July 1, 1832
Eskasoni 3A28.5 hectares (70 acres)40 km. southwest of Sydney0July 20, 1948
Malagawatch 4 (1/5 share)661.3 hectares (1,634 acres)62 km. southwest of Sydney0August 2, 1833

References
  1. "First Nation Detail". Crown–Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada. Government of Canada. Retrieved December 28, 2019.
  2. "First Nation Detail". Crown–Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada. Government of Canada. Retrieved December 28, 2019.
  3. "First Nation Detail". Crown–Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada. Government of Canada. Retrieved December 28, 2019.
  4. "First Nation Detail". Crown–Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada. Government of Canada. Retrieved December 28, 2019.
  5. Branch, Government of Canada; Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada; Communications (November 3, 2008). "Home". Crown–Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada. Government of Canada. Retrieved March 17, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  6. "No need of a chief for this band" (PDF). UBC Press. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
  7. Government of Canada (January 15, 2008). "2006 Aboriginal Population Profile". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Statistics Canada. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
  8. "Eskasoni First Nation" (PDF). Dalhousie University. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
  9. Roache, Trina (April 10, 2020). "Uprooted: The little known story about Mi'kmaw history of forced relocation". APTN News. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
  10. Network, SaltWire. "Cape Breton doctor to be honoured". Cape Breton Post.
  11. "Respected physician says First Nation needs the land 'more than I do'". www.mmnn.ca. Mi’kmaq-Maliseet Nations News. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
  12. "History of Eskasoni". www.eskasoni.ca. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
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