Micmacs of Gesgapegiag

Gesgapegiag is one of two First Nations reserves on the south shore of the Gaspésie, most of whom are of Mi'gmaq ancestry. Most of the members reside on t...
Read more

Gesgapegiag is one of two First Nations reserves on the south shore of the Gaspésie, most of whom are of Mi'gmaq ancestry. Most of the members reside on the federal Indian reserve that was set aside by the legislature of Lower Canada in 1853, for the exclusive use of the majority of Mi'gmaq in this region. The remaining Mi'gmaq live off-reserve in the eastern United States and across Canada, but stay connected to the community through modern communications and travel to. All community members, regardless of residence, participate in democratic elections held every four years to elect one Chief and eight Councillors in accordance with Canada's Indian Act Election Regulations. The community is also allied to other Mi'gmaq communities in the Gaspé region of Quebec and in northern New Brunswick. Together, their elected Chiefs advance ancestral claims to self-government and to the traditional territory called Gespe'gewa'gi ('Kespékewáki), the last land.

Read less