| 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 (Mi'kmaq: 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 the Digby, Nova Scotia area 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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| Regional municipalities |  | |
|---|---|---|
| First Nations | ||
| Indian reserves | ||
| Former municipalities | ||
