People | Miꞌkmaq |
---|---|
Province | Nova Scotia |
Land [1] | |
Main reserve | Eskasoni 3 |
Other reserve(s) | |
Land area | 42.809 km2 |
Population (2021) [1] | |
On reserve | 3973 |
Off reserve | 700 |
Total population | 4673 |
Government [1] | |
Chief | Leroy Denny |
Council size | 12 |
Tribal Council [1] | |
Union of Nova Scotia Miꞌkmaq | |
Website | |
eskasoni.ca |
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. [2]
Year | Pop. | ±% |
---|---|---|
1871 | 125 | — |
1891 | 80 | −36.0% |
1900 | 140 | +75.0% |
1941 | 200 | +42.9% |
1991 | 2,206 | +1003.0% |
2001 | 2,741 | +24.3% |
2023 | 5,064 | +84.8% |
Source: Statistics Canada, [3] [4] |
The word 'Eskasoni' is derived from the Mi'kmaq word We'kwistoqnik, which means 'where the fir trees are plentiful'. [5]
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. [6] 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. [7] He also donated a building in Sydney to help house Eskasoni's growing population. [8]
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. [9]
The Eskasoni First Nation is composed of three parts:
Community | Area | Location | Population | Date established |
---|---|---|---|---|
Eskasoni 3 | 3,504.6 hectares (8,660 acres) | 40 km. southwest of Sydney | 3,973 | July 1, 1832 |
Eskasoni 3A | 28.5 hectares (70 acres) | 40 km. southwest of Sydney | 0 | July 20, 1948 |
Malagawatch 4 (1/5 share) | 661.3 hectares (1,634 acres) | 62 km. southwest of Sydney | 0 | August 2, 1833 |
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