Elsipogtog First Nation

Elsipogtog First Nation
Elsipogtog Health Center
Elsipogtog First Nation Location of Elsipogtog First Nation in New Brunswick
Coordinates: 46°35′48″N 64°58′50″W
Country	Canada
Province	New Brunswick
County	Kent County
Established	1805
Government
• Chief	Arren Sock
• MP	Patrick Finnigan (L)
• MLA	Bertrand LeBlanc (L)
Area
• Total	17.72 km2 (6.84 sq mi)
Lowest elevation	0 m (0 ft)
Time zone	UTC-4 (Atlantic (AST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-3 (ADT)
NTS Map	021I10

The Elsipogtog First Nation /ɛlzɪˈbʊktʊk/, formerly called the Big Cove Band, is a Mi'kmaq First Nations band government in New Brunswick, Canada. The First Nation's territory comprises Richibucto Reserve #15, lying 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) southwest of Rexton, New Brunswick on the Richibucto River off of Route 116. It also comprises Soegao Reserve #35, lying 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) west of Moncton, New Brunswick. As of April 2016, the registered Elsipogtog population is 3,313, with 2,587 living on reservations and 726 living off reservations.

History

See also: History of New Brunswick and List of historic places in Kent County, New Brunswick

"Elsipogtog" or "L'sipuktuk" means "River of Fire". The area was also called the stronghold of Sikniktuk. The traditional district was assigned to the Mi'kmaq clan of Alguimou, or L'kimu. Misel Alguimou was baptised Michael Augustine in the 18th century. Chief Michael Augustine signed the Peace and Friendship Treaty with the British in 1761, on behalf of the Richibucto Tribe of Mi'kmaq. The Richibucto Reserve was established in 1802 and later reduced in size. Richibucto Reserve # 16 is also known as the Big Cove Reserve. It was also called Big Cove, Mesigig Oalnei, and currently known as Elsipogtog (Pacifique spelling), or L'sipuktuk (Francis-Smith variation) and Elsipogtog First Nation located in Weldford Parish, New Brunswick

• Indigenous History of the Champlain Valley

sites.middlebury.edu/.../indigenous-history-of-the-champlain-valley Indigenous History of the Champlain Valley . ... many Abenaki people in the Champlain Valley fled northward to other Native communities near or beyond the Canadian border as a result of settler encroachment on their traditional lands, while others remained on their territory. the bands were called native rom slurs used on roma people have been nazi hatred swasticas ,“gypsies”, and “pirates”or the N word.

Present day

The community has one school, Elsipogtog School, which has students from kindergarten to grade 8. Elsipogtog has a gas station, and a Royal Canadian Mounted Police detachment which is open throughout the week. There is a 7 day/week supermarket and a Pharmasave brand Pharmacy which are both 100% band owned and operated There is also a holistic approach Health and Wellness Centre which has clinical and physician services available, as well as home and community care services, mental health and addiction services. There are community justice services available.

Protest Against Shale-Gas Project

In May 2013, members of Elsipogtog First Nation demonstrated their concern over the proposed shale-gas project and 2D seismic imaging done near their reserve by SWN Resources Canada, a subsidiary of Southwestern Energy Company. Workers were on site to conduct seismic exploration that uses sound wave technology to create images of underground shale beds that might contain natural gas. Many residents voiced their concerns about the planned hydraulic fracturing (fracking) through social media. Throughout the Spring, Summer and Fall of 2013, protesters blocked SWN Resources Canada workers from accessing their seismic equipment.They blocked Route 116, 134, Hwy 11. On July 24, 2013, a video was recorded of a First Nations protester strapping herself to bundles of Geophones and other equipment used by SWN Resources Canada for seismic testing on the site. She slowed down the workers access to the equipment until the RCMP removed her later that day. On Sept 29th, SWN's trucks were blocked by a mystery van and protesters gathered in support. Shortly afterward, a sacred fire was lit and maintained by a 12-year-old boy who watched over the prayers of the people. On October 1, 2013, a video was recorded of Elsipogtog First Nation Chief Arren James Sock delivering an eviction notice to SWN Resources Canada while dozens of protesters continued to block Route 134 in Rexton to prevent SWN Resources Canada from moving their exploration equipment.

On October 7, 2013, a video was recorded of Elsipogtog First Nation Chief Arren James Sock and New Brunswick Premier David Alward addressing the media regarding the blockage of the shale gas research and the injunction regarding the blockade.

On Thursday October 17, 2013, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police moved in to enforce a court injunction against a road blockade by shale-gas and fracking protesters. The situation "exploded in violence, sending dozens of people to jail and reducing five police cars to smouldering ruins". The RCMP said "more than 40 protesters were arrested for various offences including firearms offences, uttering threats, intimidation, mischief and for refusing to abide by a court injunction". T.J. Burke, the lawyer for the Elsipogtog First Nation, confirmed Chief Arren Sock was among those arrested in the clash. "Chief Arren Sock and a few of his band council members were released a few hours after their arrests". On Oct 18th, SWN applied for an indefinite injunction against a list of people including John and Jane Doe. Judge Rideout denied this injunction. On 29 November 2013, another shale-gas protest resulted in the arrest of five men. Another report on the same day stated that 15 protesters were jailed for throwing rocks at vehicles. Numerous arrests continued to occur in 2014.

Composition

Elsipogtog First Nation is composed of two parts as shown:

Community	Area	Location	Population	Date established
Richibucto 15	1,667.3 hectares (4,120 acres)	8 kilometres (5.0 mi) southwest of Rexton	1,985	September 9, 1805
Soegao 35	104.732 hectares (258.80 acres)	5 kilometres (3.1 mi) west of Moncton	0	May 29, 2008

Demographics

Richibucto 15

Population trend

Census	Population	Change (%)
2011	1,985	4.6%
2006	1,897	12.0%
2001	1,693	20.7%
1996	1,403	9.4%
1991	1,282	14.7%
1986	1,118	16.0%
1981	964	N/A

Religious make-up (2001)

Religion	Population	Pct (%)
Catholic	1,560	92.04%
Protestant	0	0%
Other religions	85	5.01%
No religious affiliation	40	2.36%

Income (2006)

Income type	By CAD
Per capita income	$12,864
Median Household Income	$20,832
Median Family Income	$24,080

Mother tongue language (2006)

Language	Population	Pct (%)
English	485	25.53%
French	25	1.32%
Other languages	1,390	73.16%

Education (2006)

Level of education	Population	Pct (%)
No certificate, diploma, or degree	580	45.31%
High school certificate or equivalent	235	18.36%
Apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma	205	16.02%
College, CEGEP or other non-university certificate or diploma	180	14.06%
University certificate or diploma below the bachelor level	20	1.56%
University certificate, diploma or degree	65	5.08%

Notable people

Main article: List of people from Kent County, New Brunswick

• Albert Levi, former chief and Order of Canada recipient
• Mildred Milliea, language instructor and Order of Canada recipient
• Everett Sanipass, former NHL player
• Trey Lewis, professional hockey player

See also

• Aboriginal peoples in Atlantic Canada.
• First Nations in New Brunswick
• List of communities in New Brunswick