The Membertou First Nation ( Mi'kmawi'simk: ''Maupeltu'') is a

Mi'kmaq The Mi'kmaq (also ''Mi'gmaq'', ''Lnu'', ''Mi'kmaw'' or ''Mi'gmaw''; ; , and formerly Micmac) are an Indigenous group of people of the Northeastern Woodlands, native to the areas of Canada's Atlantic Provinces, primarily Nova Scotia, New Bru ...

band government In Canada, an Indian band (), First Nation band () or simply band, is the basic unit of government for those peoples subject to the ''Indian Act'' (i.e. status Indians or First Nations). Bands are typically small groups of people: the largest in ...

in the tribal district of Unama'ki, also known as

Cape Breton Island Cape Breton Island (, formerly '; or '; ) is a rugged and irregularly shaped island on the Atlantic coast of North America and part of the province of Nova Scotia, Canada. The island accounts for 18.7% of Nova Scotia's total area. Although ...

Nova Scotia Nova Scotia is a Provinces and territories of Canada, province of Canada, located on its east coast. It is one of the three Maritime Canada, Maritime provinces and Population of Canada by province and territory, most populous province in Atlan ...

. As of 2012, the

population is 814 on-Reserve, and approximately 481 off-Reserve. It operates a community radio station CJIJ-FM. Currently, Membertou has become the most well-off First Nation in Atlantic Canada.

History

Membertou is mostly an urban First Nation community. Named after the Grand Chief

Henri Membertou Chief Henri Membertou ( – 18 September 1611) was the ''sakmow'' ( grand chief) of the Mi'kmaq First Nations tribe situated near Port Royal, site of the first French settlement in Acadia, present-day Nova Scotia, Canada. Originally ''sakmow' ...

(1510-1611) the Membertou First Nation belongs to the greater tribal group of the Mi'kmaq Nation. Membertou was not always situated at its present location. Many years ago, Membertou (formally known as the Kings Road Reserve) was located just off of Kings Road, along the Sydney Harbour. In 1916, the

Exchequer Court of Canada In the civil service of the United Kingdom, His Majesty's Exchequer, or just the Exchequer, is the accounting process of central government and the government's '' current account'' (i.e., money held from taxation and other government revenues) ...

ordered the relocation of the 125 Mi’kmaq; the first time an aboriginal community had been legally forced through the courts to relocate in Canadian history. In 1926, the Membertou Community was officially moved to its present-day location in the vicinity of Mira Road, Nova Scotia. Membertou First Nation has been successful in diversifying its economy, featuring a convention centre, gaming centre, gas bar, business centre, a hotel and other investments within the community. The Membertou Sports and Wellness Centre, which features a YMCA and two NHL-sized rinks opened in 2016. Currently, a business development called Seventh Exchange is being built across from the Highway 125 interchange. It will feature big box stores and light-commercial and retail development. It will be similar to Dartmouth Crossing in the

Halifax Regional Municipality Halifax is the capital and most populous municipality of the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of Nova Scotia, and the most populous municipality in Atlantic Canada. As of 2024, it is estimated that the population of the H ...

Notable residents

* Lawrence Paul - former chief of the Membertou First Nation * Donald Marshall, Jr. - noted Mi'kmaq activist * Donald Marshall, Sr. - Former Grand Chief *

Glen Gould Glen Gould (born June 6, 1971) is an Indigenous Canadian actor, director and producer of Miꞌkmaq and Italian descent. Between 2016 and 2020, he played the role of detective Jerry Commanda on the television series ''Cardinal''. Career Gould ...

- Actor/Musician/Comedian * Daniel Christmas - former senator * Noel Doucette - former Chief of the Potlotek First Nation. Although he was the Chief of the neighbouring Chapel Island reserve, he was raised in Membertou and lived there until his late teens. *

Rita Joe Rita Joe, (born Rita Bernard; March 15, 1932 – March 20, 2007) was a Mi'kmaq poet and songwriter, often referred to as the Poet Laureate of the Mi'kmaq people. Biography Rita was born March 15, 1932, in Whycocomagh, Cape Breton Island, N ...

- Mi'kmaq poet and songwriter * Charlie Herney - member of the Mi’kmaq Grand Council for over 30 years. He served as the Putu's for 18 years (Putu's is an important role in the Mi'kmaq Grand Council).

Composition

Membertou First Nation is composed of four parts as shown:

References

External links

Membertou Community Web Site

ShowCase

Cape Breton University
{{Coord, 46, 6, 53.84, N, 60, 11, 25.44, W, region:CA, display=title First Nations governments in Atlantic Canada First Nations in Nova Scotia Communities in Cape Breton County