Elsipogtog First Nation

“ E L S I P O G T O G ”

December 18th 2006

By:Cindy Augustine

Location : Location :

Early History

The Mi'kmaqs of New Brunswick were Kent County's first inhabitants. The main body of the tribe stayed at what is now called Richibucto, but it was originally Melsigpogtog, meaning "Strong Point". Their right to the land was eroded in 1725.

While the Mi'kmaqs lowered, the white settlers grew. From 2000 originally, the population dropped to 12 families randomly around Richibucto and another 12 families up the river.

In 1802, the Mi’kmaqs had about 40,000 acres for the Big Cove community. But the settlers reclaimed over 3000 acres in 1866, and by the 1900’s the Big Cove community only had about 4000 acres left for the community.

The first school was built in 1855, and the first church was built in 1897. In 1919, the outbreak of the Spanish Flu lowered the 40 families of Big Cove, to only half its size. It was only after World War 2 that it started to rebuild the community population all over again.

Old & New Jobs

The jobs back then seem like small jobs, but it helped everyone a lot. The jobs were, hunting, logging, and the people that find the medicine.

But jobs today are way different. We now have a Health Centre, a Youth Centre, an Arena, Take-Out’s, Stores, Crisis Centre, a school, and a much more. That’s a BIG difference isn’t it?

Information On Elsipogtog

From Big Cove to Elsipogtog First Nation

Location – Richibucto River – 60miles North of Moncton

Population is 2760 (as of Dec. 2006) 57% of the population is under the age of 30

Total land base – 4,165 acres This is less than 10% of its size before Confederation

Largest Indian Reserve in N.B Second largest in Atlantic Canada

130 131261

410 320

730626 675

1301

33 54 87

11991180

2760

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0-<5 05-<20 20-<65 65 + Total

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~ELSIPOGTOG~~ELSIPOGTOG~

*This is an aerial view of our community*

This is my house. =]

Elsipogtog Flag

To celebrate the people of Elsipogtog reclaiming the original name of its community, the Chief and Council adopts “A Flag” for Elsipogtog.

“The word “Elsipogtog” which is the original name for the Big Cove First Nation, and it means "Great Fire". It is said that Elsipogtog was once the gathering place for the seven districts (the sun and it's rays), of the Migmag Nation. The flag also depicts the four elements represented by the colors –WHITE for air, YELLOW for fire, BLUE for water and GREEN for earth. The color RED represents the PEOPLE. The flag for the Elsipogtog First Nation represents the Migmag people. The Elsipogtog flag was designed by Brian J. Augustine.

The Elsipogtog Band The Elsipogtog Band

- One Chief

- 12 Councilors

- Election comes around every 2

years

GovernmeGovernment nt

The most important job would have to be at the Big Cove band office. The

Chief&Council make most of the decisions of what happens in the community. Like, housing, cheques and other major things.

Community BuildingsCommunity BuildingsServicesServices

Health Center Youth Center

Lone Eagle Treatment Center School

HousingHousingHousing; old & newHousing; old & new

#1: Older house, back in 1950’s #2: Another house back in the 70’s

#3: Houses today. 2006

[In Elsipogtog, there are about 750 houses with a population of

about 2800 people.]

[ The End ][ The End ]

Presentation created for:

Mrs.Cosman

7D