Mi’kmaw Bands in Nova Scotia
Annapolis Valley | Bear River | Potlotek (Chapel Island) | Eskasoni | Glooscap | Membertou | Millbrook | Paq’tnkek | Pictou Landing | Sipekne’katik (Shubenacadie) | Wagmatcook |Wasoqopa’q| We’koqma’q
Wasoqopa’q – Nova Scotia
Wasoqopa’q is composed of Gold River, Hammonds Plains, Medway, Ponhook Lake, Wildcat, and Yarmouth.
- Gold River #21 is 270.2 hectares in size, located 60.8 km. west of Halifax, and was established May 8, 1820.
- Hammonds Plains is 4.9 hectares in size, located 32 km. north of Halifax, and was established Oct 20, 2017.
- Medway #11 is 4.7 hectares, located 108.8 km. southwest of Halifax, and was established May 8, 1865.
- Ponhook Lake #10 is 101.8 hectares, located 115.2 km. southwest of Halifax and was established June 8, 1843.
- Wildcat #12 is 465.4 hectares, located 111 km. southwest of Halifax, and was established June 8, 1820.
- Yarmouth #33 is 27.7 hectares, located 3.2 km. east of Yarmouth, and was established June 8, 1887.
As of December 2025 the total population was 2057:
- Registered Males on Own Reserve – 107
- Registered Females on Own Reserve – 122
- Registered Males on Other Reserves – 2
- Registered Females on Other Reserves – 0
- Registered Males on No Band Crown Land – 2
- Registered Females on No Band Crown Land – 2
- Registered Males Living Off-Reserve – 901
- Registered Females Living Off-Reserve – 921
As of June 17, 2025 – June 21, 2030, the chief of the community is Deborah Robinson . The band councillors are:
Natteal Battiste-Downey
Rachel Viola Falls
Andrew Francis
Crystal Jermey
Avis Johnson
Michael Paul
Jeffrey Joseph Cecil Purdy
Charmaine Stevens
Annapolis Valley – Nova Scotia
Annapolis Valley is composed of Annapolis Valley and St. Croix reserves.
- Annapolis Valley #32 is 59 hectares in size, located 88 km. northwest of Halifax, and was established March 3, 1880-1924.
- St. Croix #34 is 126.2 hectares, located 46.4 km. northwest of Halifax, and was established March 3, 1851.
As of December 2025 the population was 330:
- Registered Males on Own Reserve – 66
- Registered Females on Own Reserve – 55
- Registered Males Living Off-Reserve – 87
- Registered Females Living Off-Reserve – 122
From December 21, 2025 – December 20, 2027, the chief of the community is Rodney Peterson. The band councillors are:
Murray Copage Jr.
Shanika MacEachern
Daniel Lee Toney
Bear River – L’stikuk – Nova Scotia
Bear River is composed of:
- Bear River #6, 633.8 hectares in size, located 17.6 km. southeast of Digby and established in March 3, 1820
- Bear River #6A, 31.2 hectares, 9.6 km. southeast of Annapolis Royal, established March 3, 1938
- Bear River #6B, 24.3 hectares, 6.4 km. southeast of Annapolis Royal, and established October 1, 1962
As of December 2025 the population was 402:
- Registered Males on Own Reserve – 49
- Registered Females on Own Reserve – 68
- Registered Males on Other Reserves – 0
- Registered Females on Other Reserves – 1
- Registered Males Living Off-Reserve – 141
- registered Females Living Off-Reserve – 143
From November 20, 2025 – November 19, 2025 the chief of the community is Carol Dee Potter. The band councillors are:
Clara Harlow
Carol Ann Potter
Frederick Robar-Harlow
Potlotek – Nova Scotia
Potlotek is composed of Chapel Island and Malagawatch.
- Chapel Island #5 is 592.5 hectares in size, located 68.8 km. southwest of Sydney, and was established August 1,
1792-1834. - Malagawatch #4 is 661.3 hectares in size, with 20 per cent or 132.26 hectares held by each of the following
five communities: Potlotek, Sydney, Eskasoni, Wagmatcook, and Whycocomagh. Malagawatch was established August 2,
1833.
As of December 2025 the population was 867:
- Registered Males on Own Reserve – 326
- Registered Females on Own Reserve – 317
- Registered Males on Other Reserves – 19
- Registered Females on Other Reserves – 18
- Registered Males Living Off-Reserve – 90
- Registered Females Living Off-Reserve – 97
From August 6, 2022 – August 5, 2026 the chief of the community is Wilbert Marshall. The band councillors are:
Isiah Bernard
Tyrone Bernard
John Duncan Johnson
Mary Lee Ann Johnson
Mary Susan Lafford
Aaron L Marshall
Jocelyn Marshall
Johnathan Ashley Marshall
Eskasoni – Nova Scotia
Eskasoni is composed of:
- Eskasoni #3, 3,676.6 hectares in size, located 40 km. southwest of Sydney, and established August 1, 1832-1942
- Eskasoni #3A, 28.5 hectares, 40 km. southwest of Sydney, established August 20, 1948
- Malagawatch #4, 661.3 hectares in area, 132.36 hectares or twenty per cent of which are held by Eskasoni along
with four other reserves. It was established August 2, 1833.
As of December 2025 the population was 4830:
- Registered Males on Own Reserve – 2021
- Registered Females on Own Reserve – 2057
- Registered Males on Other Reserves – 17
- Registered Females on Other Reserves – 19
- Registered Males on Other Band Crown Land – 1
- Registered Females on Other Band Crown Land – 0
- Registered Males Living Off-Reserve – 339
- Registered Females Living Off-Reserve – 376
From May 28, 2025 – May 26, 2029, chief of the community is Leroy D.C. Denny. Band councillors are:
Sophia Basque
Bertram (Muin) Bernard
Leon C. Denny
Jerod Francis
Eldon Gould
Matthew Gould
Pierre Gould
Derek Robert Johnson
Tom Johnson Jr.
Starr Paul
Kateri (Sa’n)Stevens
John Frank Toney
Glooscap – Nova Scotia
Glooscap is 171.1 hectares in size, located 68.8 km. northwest of Halifax. It was established March 3, 1907.
Glooscap is composed of:
- Glooscap #35, 192.5 hectares in size, located 68.8 km. northwest of Halifax, and established March 3, 1907. Glooscap Landing, 8.3 hectares, 91.2 km. northeast of Halifax, established 2017.
As of December 2025 the population was 449:
- Registered Males on Own Reserve – 35
- Registered Females on Own Reserve – 69
- Registered Females on Other Reserves – 1
- Registered Males Living Off-Reserve – 171
- Registered Females Living Off-Reserve – 173
From April 1, 2022, to March 31, 2027, chief of the community is Sidney Peters. The band councillors are:
Amanda Francis
Gail Tupper
Charlotte Washington
Membertou – Maupeltuk – Nova Scotia
Membertou is composed of:
- Membertou #28B, 141.1 hectares in size, located 1.6 km. south of Sydney and established in August 31, 1925
- Caribou Marsh #29, 219.3 hectares, 8 km. southwest of Sydney, established April 28, 1882
- Sydney #28A, 5.1 hectares, 1.6 km. northeast of Sydney, established September 7, 1921
- Malagawatch #4, 62.4 km. southwest of Sydney, established August 2, 1833. 132.26 hectares of Malagawatch #4 are held by Membertou, while four other communities hold the remaining 80 per cent.
As of February 2020 the population was 1708:
- Registered Males on Own Reserve – 523
- Registered Females on Own Reserve – 478
- Registered Males on Other Reserves – 20
- Registered Females on Other Reserves – 25
- Registered Females on No Band Crown Land – 2
- Registered Males Living Off-Reserve – 337
- Registered Females Living Off-Reserve – 323
From December 16, 2025 – December 15, 2028 the chief of the community is Terrance J. Paul . The band councillors are:
Darrell Bernard
Craig Christmas
Dean Christmas
Gail Christmas
Paul Gould
Mary Joe
Johanna La Porte
Paul MacDonald
David Marshall
Allister “Buster” Matthews
Lawrence “Quism” Paul
Storm Sack
Millbrook – We’kopekwitk – Nova Scotia
Millbrook is composed of Millbrook, Beaver Lake, Tufts Cove and parts of Truro, Sheet Harbour and Cole Harbour.
- Millbrook #27 is 302.3 hectares, located 8 km. south of Truro, and was established March 3, 1886
- Beaver Lake #17 is 49.4 hectares in size, 78.4 km. southeast of Halifax, established March 3, 1867
- Truro #27A is 16.7 hectares and adjoins the southern limit of Truro, having been established March 3, 1904.
- Truro #27B and #27C are 9.5 and 18.6 hectares and were established March 3, 1907 and March 3, 1909, respectively
- Cole Harbour #30 is 18.6 hectares in size, 9.6 km. east of Halifax, established March 3, 1880
- Sheet Harbour #36 is 30.4 hectares, 91.2 km. northeast of Halifax, and was established March 3, 1915.
- Tufts Cove is 4 hectares, in the Halifax area.
As of December 2025 the population was 2477:
- Registered Males on Own Reserve – 480
- Registered Females on Own Reserve – 490
- Registered Males on Other Reserves – 21
- Registered Females on Other Reserves – 18
- Registered Females on Own Crown Land – 1
- Registered Males on Other Band Crown Land – 1
- Registered Females on Other Band Crown Land – 1
- Registered Males on No Band Crown Land – 1
- Registered Males Living Off-Reserve – 720
- Registered Females Living Off-Reserve – 744
From March 6, 2024 – March 5, 2026, chief of the community is Robert Gloade and band councillors are:
Colin Bernard
Natasha Bernard
Anissa Blackmore
Carley Gloade
Gerald Gloade
Chris Googoo
Zachary Julian
Ward Markie
Lisa Marshall
Dana Sylliboy
Paq’tnkek – Nova Scotia
Paq’tnkek is composed of Paq’tnkek-Niktuek, Franklin Manor, and Welnek.
- Paq’tnkek-Niktuek #23 is 266 hectares in size, located 24 km. east of Antigonish, and was established March
3, 1820 - Franklin Manor #22 is 212.5 hectares, located 32 km. southwest of Amherst, and was established March 3, 1865.
- Welnek #38 is 43.4 hectares, located 18 km. east of Antigonish, and was established August 28, 1990.
As of December 2025 the population was 613:
- Registered Males on Own Reserve – 200
- Registered Females on Own Reserve – 225
- Registered Males on Other Reserves – 11
- Registered Females on Other Reserves – 22
- Registered Males Living Off-Reserve – 66
- Registered Females Living Off-Reserve – 89
From November 27, 2025 – November 26, 2029 the chief of the community is Juliana Julian. The band councillors are:
Terena Francis
Anne Marie Paul
Noah Paul
Stacey Paul
Dustin Pictou
Kerry Gerard Prosper
Pictou Landing – Nova Scotia
Pictou Landing is composed of Fisher’s Grant, Boat Harbour, Merigomish Harbour, and Franklin Manor.
- Fisher’s Grant #24 is 124.7 hectares, located 9.6 km. north of New Glasgow, and was established March 3, 1866,
- Fisher’s Grant #24G is 60 hectares, 3.2 km. southeast of Pictou Landing, and was established March 3, 1927
- Boat Harbour #37 is 98.2 hectares, 8 km. north of New Glasgow, and was established May 18, 1961.
- Merigomish Harbour #31 is 14.2 hectares in size, 12.8 km. east of New Glasgow and was established March 3, 1865.
- Franklin Manor #22 is 212.5 hectares, 32 km. southeast of Amherst, and was established March 3, 1865.
As of December 2025 the population was 704:
- Registered Males on Own Reserve – 258
- Registered Females on Own Reserve – 258
- Registered Males on Other Reserves – 9
- Registered Females on Other Reserves – 13
- Registered Males Living Off-Reserve – 86
- Registered Females Living Off-Reserve – 80
As of November 30, 2025 – November 29, 2027, the chief of the community is Tamara Marie Young. The band councillors are:
Crystal Denny
Dominic Denny
Derek Francis
Marsha Mills
April Nicholas
Hubert Nicholas
Aaron Prosper
Sipekne’katik – Nova Scotia
Sipekne’katik (formerly Shubenacadie) is composed of Sipekne’katik, Indian Brook, Pennal, Wallace Hills and New Ross.
- Sipekne’katik #13 is 412 hectares in size, located 32 km. north of Halifax and was established March 3, 1820.
- Indian Brook #14 is 1,234.2 hectares, located 28.8 km. southwest of Truro and was established May 8, 1820.
- Pennal #19 is 43.5 hectares, located 67.2 km. northwest of Halifax, and was established March 3, 1858.
- New Ross #20 is 408.3 hectares, 64 km. northwest of Halifax, and was established March 3, 1820.
- Wallace Hills #14a is 408.3 hectares, and was established March 10, 2011.
As of December 2025 the population was 3116:
- Registered Males on Own Reserve – 652
- Registered Females on Own Reserve – 731
- Registered Males on Other Reserves – 31
- Registered Females on Other Reserves – 33
- Registered Males on Other Band Crown Land – 2
- Registered Females on Other Band Crown Land – 1
- Registered Males on No Band Crown Land – 8
- Registered Females on No Band Crown Land – 6
- Registered Males Living Off-Reserve – 770
- Registered Females Living Off-Reserve – 882
As of November 3, 2024 – November 2, 2026, the chief of the community is Michelle Glasgow. The band councillors are:
Gerry Augustine
Rufus Copage
Logan Gehue
Thomas J. Howe
Justin William Johnson
Keith Julian
Brian Knockwood
Lena Knockwood
Ron Knockwood
Brandon Maloney
Deanne Sack
Brooke Willis
Wagmatcook – Waqmitkuk – Nova Scotia
Wagmatcook is composed of Wagmatcook, Margaree and Malagawatch.
- Wagmatcook #1 is 388.6 hectares in size, 51 km. west of Sydney, and was established August 1, 1833
- Margaree #25 is .8 hectares, 68.8 km. northwest of Sydney, and was established August 1, 1834
- Malagawatch #4 is divided among five reserves, each of which hold 20 per cent of the total, or 132.6 hectares.
It is located 62.4 km. southwest of Sydney and was established August 2, 1833.
As of December 2025 the population was 941:
- Registered Males on Own Reserve – 347
- Registered Females on Own Reserve – 346
- Registered Males on Other Reserves – 10
- Registered Females on Other Reserves – 20
- Registered Males Living Off-Reserve – 90
- Registered Females Living Off-Reserve – 118
As of July 5, 2022 – July 4, 2026, the chief of the community is Norman Francis Bernard . The band councillors
are:
Kimberly Denny
Evan Googoo
Travis Isadore
Cornelia Peck
Thomas Peck
Richard Pierro
Peter Pierro
Waycobah – We’koqma’q – Nova Scotia
We’koqma’q is composed of Whycocomagh #2 and Malagawatch #4.
- Whycocomagh #2 is 908 hectares, located 70.4 km. west of Sydney, and was established January 31, 1833.
- We’koqma’q also holds 20 per cent of Malagawatch #4, or 132.6 hectares, located 62.4 km. southwest of Sydney,
and established August 2, 1833.
As of December 2025 the population was 1142:
- Registered Males on Own Reserve – 484
- Registered Females on Own Reserve – 527
- Registered Males on Other Reserves – 16
- Registered Females on Other Reserves – 19
- Registered Males on Own Band Crown Land – 1
- Registered Females on Own Band Crown Land – 1
- Registered Males Living Off-Reserve – 40
- Registered Females Living Off-Reserve – 54
From October 19, 2024 to October 16, 2028, the chief of the community is John Leonard Bernard. Band councillors are:
Katerina Basque
Stuart Basque
Jason Bernard
John William Cremo
Dalen Googoo
Gordon C. Googoo
Matilda Googoo
Emma Lewis
Stewart Brennan Peters Jr.
Stewart Peters Sr.
Brandon Poulette
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The information regarding band representatives and Mi’kmaw communities in the Maritimes was provided by the Indigenous & Northern Affairs website, First Nation Community Profiles “Governance”.
The socio-economic indicators presented on this page are derived from special tabulations prepared for INAC by Statistics Canada. All of the information provided here is believed to be accurate and valid in the context of Statistics Canada’s mandate to collect and disseminate census information on all Canadians as specified in the Statistics Act. INAC does not warrant these data or accept responsibility for any omissions or inaccuracies inadvertently contained in this presentation. For further information about the limitations of census data and in
particular, data collected by reserves, the user is directed to the following weblink: http://www.statcan.ca For further information about the data posted here, please contact the First Nations and Northern Statistics Section at (819) 953-9999.
