Mi’kmaw Bands in Nova Scotia
Acadia | Annapolis Valley | Bear River | Potlotek (Chapel Island) | Eskasoni | Glooscap | Membertou | Millbrook | Paq’tnkek | Pictou Landing | Sipekne’katik (Shubenacadie) | Wagmatcook | We’koqma’q
Acadia – Malikiaq – Nova Scotia
Acadia is composed of Gold River, 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.
- Medway #11 is 4.3 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 27.57 hectares, located 3.2 km. east of Yarmouth, and was established June 8, 1887.
As of February 2020 the total population was 1664:
- Registered Males on Own Reserve – 112
- Registered Females on Own Reserve – 127
- Registered Males on Other Reserves – 2
- Registered Females on Other Reserves – 0
- Registered Males on No Band Crown Land – 1
- Registered Females on No Band Crown Land – 2
- Registered Males Living Off-Reserve – 697
- Registered Females Living Off-Reserve – 723
As of June 18, 2015 – June 17, 2020, the chief of the community is Diana Deborah Robinson . The band councillors
are:
Darlene Mae Coulton
Rachel Viola Falls
Andrew Francis
Avis Marie Johnson
Michael Paul
Thomas Pictou
Jeffrey Joseph Cecil Purdy
Charmaine (Boutilier) Stevens
Visit the Acadia website.
Annapolis Valley – Kampalijek – Nova Scotia
Annapolis Valley is composed of Cambridge and St. Croix reserves. Cambridge #32 is 18.7 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 February 2020 the population was 302:
- Registered Males on Own Reserve – 68
- Registered Females on Own Reserve – 55
- Registered Males Living Off-Reserve – 73
- Registered Females Living Off-Reserve – 106
From December 21, 2019 – December 20, 2021, the chief of the community is Gerald Toney Jr.. The band councillors
are:
Murray Anthony Copage Sr.
Nastasya “Tassa” Kennedy
Bear River – L’setkuk – Nova Scotia
Bear River, also known as Muin Sipi 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 February 2020 the population was 357:
- Registered Males on Own Reserve – 50
- Registered Females on Own Reserve – 63
- Registered Males on Other Reserves – 0
- Registered Females on Other Reserves – 1
- Registered Males Living Off-Reserve – 119
- registered Females Living Off-Reserve – 124
From December 8, 2019 – December 7, 2021 the chief of the community is Carol Potter. The band councillors are:
Robert McEwan
Carol 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 February 2020 the population was 773:
- Registered Males on Own Reserve – 297
- Registered Females on Own Reserve – 290
- Registered Males on Other Reserves – 19
- Registered Females on Other Reserves – 19
- Registered Males Living Off-Reserve – 66
- Registered Females Living Off-Reserve – 82
From August 6, 2018 – August 5, 2022 the chief of the community is Wilbert Marshall. The band councillors are:
Anita Basque
Jeremy Basque
Quentin Doucette
Basil Johnson
Wayne Johnson
James Marshall
Blayne Murray
Visit the Potlotek website.
Eskasoni – Eskisoqnik – Nova Scotia
Eskasoni is composed of:
- Eskasoni #3, 3,504.6 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 February 2020 the population was 4642:
- Registered Males on Own Reserve – 1953
- Registered Females on Own Reserve – 1998
- Registered Males on Other Reserves – 16
- Registered Females on Other Reserves – 18
- Registered Males on Other Band Crown Land – 1
- Registered Females on Other Band Crown Land – 0
- Registered Males Living Off-Reserve – 303
- Registered Females Living Off-Reserve – 353
From October 16, 2016 – October 15, 2020, chief of the community is Leroy D.C. Denny. Band councillors are:
Bertram (Muin) Bernard
Dion Denny
Leon Denny Sr.
Barry Francis
Gerald R. Francis
Eldon Gould
Allan Jeddore
Derek Robert Johnson
Tom Johnson Jr.
Brendon Poulette
Chris Stevens
John Frank Toney
Visit the Eskasoni website.
Glooscap – Pesikitk – Nova Scotia
Glooscap is 171.1 hectares in size, located 68.8 km. northwest of Halifax. It was established March 3, 1907.
As of February 2020 the population was 393:
- Registered Males on Own Reserve – 32
- Registered Females on Own Reserve – 65
- Registered Females on Other Reserves – 1
- Registered Males Living Off-Reserve – 143
- Registered Females Living Off-Reserve – 152
From February 25, 2017, to February 24, 2022, chief of the community is Sidney Peters. The band councillors are:
Jean Labradore-Powers
Lynnwood James “Woody” Peters
Leonard David Peters
Visit the Glooscap website.
Membertou – Maupeltuk – Nova Scotia
Membertou is composed of:
- Membertou #28B, 45.2 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 1573:
- Registered Males on Own Reserve – 482
- Registered Females on Own Reserve – 454
- Registered Males on Other Reserves – 19
- Registered Females on Other Reserves – 25
- Registered Males on No Band Crown Land – 1
- Registered Females on No Band Crown Land – 2
- Registered Males Living Off-Reserve – 299
- Registered Females Living Off-Reserve – 291
From June 16, 2016 – June 15, 2020 the chief of the community is Terrance J. Paul . The band councillors are:
Craig Christmas
Dean Christmas
Gail Christmas
Robin Googoo
Lee Gould
Johanna La Porte
Paul Mac Donald
David Marshall
Graham Marshall
Allister “Buster” Matthews
Cary Paul
Lawrence “Quism” Paul
Check out Aknutmaqn – The Membertou Community Newsletter.
Millbrook – We’kopekwitk – Nova Scotia
Millbrook is composed of Millbrook, Beaver Lake, parts of Truro, and Cole Harbour.
- Millbrook #27 is 300.4 hectares, located 8 km. east 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 32.7 hectares, 91.2 km. northeast of Halifax, and was established March 3, 1915.
As of February 2020 the population was 1995:
- Registered Males on Own Reserve – 452
- Registered Females on Own Reserve – 460
- Registered Males on Other Reserves – 22
- Registered Females on Other Reserves – 15
- 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 – 507
- Registered Females Living Off-Reserve – 535
From 2024-2026, chief of the community is Robert Gloade and band councillors are:
Colin Bernard
Natasha Bernard
Anissa Blackmore
Carley Gloade
Gerald Gloade
Zachary Julian
Ward Markie
Lisa Marshall
Dana Sylliboy
The Millbrook community newsletter is available here.
Paq’tnkek -Paqtnkek – Nova Scotia
Paq’tnkek is composed of Pomquet – Paq’tnkek, Franklin Manor, and Summerside.
- Pomquet – Paq’tnkek #23 is 191.5 hectares in size, located 24 km. east of Antigonish, and was established March
3, 1820 - Franklin Manor #22 is 196.2 hectares, located 32 km. southwest of Amherst, and was established March 3, 1865.
- Summerside #38 is 43.4 hectares, located 18 km. east of Antigonish, and was established August 28, 1990.
As of February 2020 the population was 599:
- Registered Males on Own Reserve – 197
- Registered Females on Own Reserve – 229
- Registered Males on Other Reserves – 10
- Registered Females on Other Reserves – 20
- Registered Males Living Off-Reserve – 62
- Registered Females Living Off-Reserve – 81
From November 27, 2019 – November 26, 2021 the chief of the community is Paul James “PJ” Prosper. The band
councillors are:
Judy Bernard-Julian
Tuma Francis
Anne Marie Paul
Jeremy Raymond Paul
Darlene Marie “Dolly” Prosper
Kerry Gerard Prosper
Visit the Paq’tnkek website.
Pictou Landing – Puksaqte’kne’katik – Nova Scotia
Pictou Landing is composed of Fisher’s Grant, Boat Harbour, Merigomish Harbour, and Franklin Manor.
- Fisher’s Grant #24 is 92.8 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 February 2020 the population was 672:
- Registered Males on Own Reserve – 241
- Registered Females on Own Reserve – 250
- Registered Males on Other Reserves – 10
- Registered Females on Other Reserves – 12
- Registered Males Living Off-Reserve – 83
- Registered Females Living Off-Reserve – 76
As of November 30, 2019 – November 29, 2021, the chief of the community is Andrea Elizabeth Paul. The band councillors are:
Haley Marie Bernard
Dominic Denny
Wayne Denny
Alden Joseph “A.J” Francis
Derek Francis
Jenny Fraser
Visit the Pictou Landing website.
Sipekne’katik – Nova Scotia
Sipekne’katik (formerly Shubenacadie) is composed of Sipekne’katik, Indian Brook, Pennal, 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.
As of February 2020 the population was 2771:
- Registered Males on Own Reserve – 617
- Registered Females on Own Reserve – 699
- Registered Males on Other Reserves – 34
- Registered Females on Other Reserves – 31
- 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 – 7
- Registered Males Living Off-Reserve – 655
- Registered Females Living Off-Reserve – 717
As of November 3, 2018 – November 2, 2020, the chief of the community is Michael Sack. The band councillors are:
Gerry Augustine
Michelle Glasgow
Thomas Howe
Keith Julian
Doreen E. Knockwood
Lena Knockwood
Gavin Michael
Derek Nevin
Timothy Nevin
Eldon Paul
Virginia Peter-Paul Sack
Mary Ellen Sylliboy
Visit the Sipekne’katik website.
Wagmatcook – Wagmitkuk – Nova Scotia
Wagmatcook is composed of Wagmatcook, Margaree and Malagawatch.
- Wagmatcook #1 is 319.7 hectares in size, 51.2 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 February 2020 the population was 900:
- Registered Males on Own Reserve – 334
- Registered Females on Own Reserve – 328
- Registered Males on Other Reserves – 19
- Registered Females on Other Reserves – 25
- Registered Males Living Off-Reserve – 83
- Registered Females Living Off-Reserve – 111
As of July 5, 2018 – July 4, 2022, the chief of the community is Norman Francis Bernard . The band councillors
are:
Kim Denny
Cornelia Peck
Jamie Joe Peck
Lester Peck
Thomas Norman Peck
Jason Pierro
Peter Maurice Pierro
Visit the Wagmatcook website.
Waycobah – We’koqma’q – Nova Scotia
We’koqma’q (a.k.a. Waycobah) is composed of Whycocomagh #2 and Malagawatch #4.
- Whycocomagh #2 is 828.5 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 February 2020 the population was 1031:
- Registered Males on Own Reserve – 454
- Registered Females on Own Reserve – 458
- Registered Males on Other Reserves – 15
- Registered Females on Other Reserves – 18
- Registered Males on Own Band Crown Land – 1
- Registered Females on Own Band Crown Land – 1
- Registered Males Living Off-Reserve – 36
- Registered Females Living Off-Reserve – 48
From August 19, 2016 to August 18, 2020, the chief of the community is Roderick Albert Googoo. Band councillors
are:
Stuart Basque
Cyrus Bernard
Jason Bernard
John Bernard
John Cremo
Annie Daisley
Steven Googoo
Anthony Phillips
Stanford Philips
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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.
