Listuguj Mi'gmaq First Nation
Encyclopedia
The Listuguj Mi'gmaq First Nation (in Francis-Smith orthography Listukuj Míkmaq) is a Canadian First Nations
community with a registered population (2003) of 3152 members, most of whom are of Mi'gmaq ancestry. Of these, 1879 persons 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 Listuguj for annual events such as the salmon harvest in June, St. Ann's Day in July, or the traditional powwow in August. All community members, regardless of residence, participate in democratic elections held every two years to elect one Chief and twelve 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.
Gespe'gewa'gi is the Mi'gmaq Nation District that extends from the Miramichi River to the tip of the Gaspé Peninsula, a land area that straddles the modern day Quebec
/New Brunswick
border. The First Nation is a strong advocate of Aboriginal peoples in Canada
, and aboriginal and treaty rights. Its main resource is the Atlantic salmon
and other fruits of the waters and forests, including modern harvest of timber. Political representatives of the Mi'gmaq of Listuguj and the greater district of Gespe'gewa'gi continue talks with the Government of Quebec
over access to traditional lands.
The name Listuguj, is the origin for the name of the Restigouche River
, as well as other nearby places also carrying the name Restigouche
. Listuguj is also used as a name for one of the Míkmaq orthographies.
", was the last naval battle between the British and the French during the Seven Years War. In 1759, after the fall of Quebec, the French hurried to send reinforcements across the Atlantic. 400 troops were sent in merchant ships from Bordeaux. However, when they reached the Saint Lawrence River
, the fleet commander discovered that the area was already occupied by a strong British fleet. He decided to sail south to the bottom of the baie des Chaleurs, and established gun batteries on the shore of the Restigouche river, near Listuguj. Eventually, they were spotted by British Captain John Byron
, who engaged battle there. The battle opposed 3 French ships and ground batteries and a coalition of Mi'gmaq, French and Acadian irregular troops, against a 70-gun British ship and 2 frigates. The French and their allies lost this battle, ending the hopes of reconquering Quebec.
conducted controversial raids on the reserve to stop the Mi'gmaq from asserting their control over their native fishery. Federal Indian Affairs Minister John Munro was among those critical of the manner in which the Quebec government and provincial minister Lucien Lessard
had acted. All convictions resulting from the arrests were eventually overturned.
The raids and their aftermath were documented by Alanis Obomsawin
in her 1984 film Incident at Restigouche
.
First Nations
First Nations is a term that collectively refers to various Aboriginal peoples in Canada who are neither Inuit nor Métis. There are currently over 630 recognised First Nations governments or bands spread across Canada, roughly half of which are in the provinces of Ontario and British Columbia. The...
community with a registered population (2003) of 3152 members, most of whom are of Mi'gmaq ancestry. Of these, 1879 persons reside on the federal Indian reserve
Indian reserve
In Canada, an Indian reserve is specified by the Indian Act as a "tract of land, the legal title to which is vested in Her Majesty, that has been set apart by Her Majesty for the use and benefit of a band." The Act also specifies that land reserved for the use and benefit of a band which is not...
that was set aside by the legislature of Lower Canada
Lower Canada
The Province of Lower Canada was a British colony on the lower Saint Lawrence River and the shores of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence...
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
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and across Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, but stay connected to the community through modern communications and travel to Listuguj for annual events such as the salmon harvest in June, St. Ann's Day in July, or the traditional powwow in August. All community members, regardless of residence, participate in democratic elections held every two years to elect one Chief and twelve 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
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
and in northern New Brunswick
New Brunswick
New Brunswick is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the only province in the federation that is constitutionally bilingual . The provincial capital is Fredericton and Saint John is the most populous city. Greater Moncton is the largest Census Metropolitan Area...
. Together, their elected Chiefs advance ancestral claims to self-government and to the traditional territory called Gespe'gewa'gi (Kespékewáki), the last land.
Gespe'gewa'gi is the Mi'gmaq Nation District that extends from the Miramichi River to the tip of the Gaspé Peninsula, a land area that straddles the modern day Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
/New Brunswick
New Brunswick
New Brunswick is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the only province in the federation that is constitutionally bilingual . The provincial capital is Fredericton and Saint John is the most populous city. Greater Moncton is the largest Census Metropolitan Area...
border. The First Nation is a strong advocate of Aboriginal peoples in Canada
Aboriginal peoples in Canada
Aboriginal peoples in Canada comprise the First Nations, Inuit and Métis. The descriptors "Indian" and "Eskimo" have fallen into disuse in Canada and are commonly considered pejorative....
, and aboriginal and treaty rights. Its main resource is the Atlantic salmon
Atlantic salmon
The Atlantic salmon is a species of fish in the family Salmonidae, which is found in the northern Atlantic Ocean and in rivers that flow into the north Atlantic and the north Pacific....
and other fruits of the waters and forests, including modern harvest of timber. Political representatives of the Mi'gmaq of Listuguj and the greater district of Gespe'gewa'gi continue talks with the Government of Quebec
Government of Quebec
The Government of Quebec refers to the provincial government of the province of Quebec. Its powers and structure are set out in the Constitution Act, 1867....
over access to traditional lands.
The name Listuguj, is the origin for the name of the Restigouche River
Restigouche River
The Restigouche River is a river that flows across the northwestern part of the province of New Brunswick and the southeastern part of Quebec....
, as well as other nearby places also carrying the name Restigouche
Restigouche
Restigouche, deriving from the Míkmaq name Listuguj , is the name of several geographic and political features in northern New Brunswick and neighbouring Quebec:* HMCS Restigouche, two naval vessels...
. Listuguj is also used as a name for one of the Míkmaq orthographies.
Battle of Listuguj
The Battle of Listuguj, also called "Battle of RestigoucheBattle of Restigouche
The Battle of Restigouche was a naval battle fought during the French and Indian War on the Restigouche River between the British Royal Navy and the small flotilla of French Navy vessels. The French vessels had been sent to relieve New France after the fall of Quebec...
", was the last naval battle between the British and the French during the Seven Years War. In 1759, after the fall of Quebec, the French hurried to send reinforcements across the Atlantic. 400 troops were sent in merchant ships from Bordeaux. However, when they reached the Saint Lawrence River
Saint Lawrence River
The Saint Lawrence is a large river flowing approximately from southwest to northeast in the middle latitudes of North America, connecting the Great Lakes with the Atlantic Ocean. It is the primary drainage conveyor of the Great Lakes Basin...
, the fleet commander discovered that the area was already occupied by a strong British fleet. He decided to sail south to the bottom of the baie des Chaleurs, and established gun batteries on the shore of the Restigouche river, near Listuguj. Eventually, they were spotted by British Captain John Byron
John Byron
Vice Admiral The Hon. John Byron, RN was a Royal Navy officer. He was known as Foul-weather Jack because of his frequent bad luck with weather.-Early career:...
, who engaged battle there. The battle opposed 3 French ships and ground batteries and a coalition of Mi'gmaq, French and Acadian irregular troops, against a 70-gun British ship and 2 frigates. The French and their allies lost this battle, ending the hopes of reconquering Quebec.
1981 Restigouche raid
On June 11 and 20, 1981, the Quebec Provincial PoliceSûreté du Québec
Sûreté du Québec or SQ is the provincial police force for the Canadian province of Québec...
conducted controversial raids on the reserve to stop the Mi'gmaq from asserting their control over their native fishery. Federal Indian Affairs Minister John Munro was among those critical of the manner in which the Quebec government and provincial minister Lucien Lessard
Lucien Lessard
-Background:He was born on February 22, 1938 in Grandes-Bergeronnes. He has a Master degree from Université Laval and was an educator and a union activist.-Member of the legislature:...
had acted. All convictions resulting from the arrests were eventually overturned.
The raids and their aftermath were documented by Alanis Obomsawin
Alanis Obomsawin
Alanis Obomsawin, OC is a Canadian filmmaker of Abenaki descent. Born in New Hampshire, and raised primarily in Quebec, she has produced and directed many National Film Board of Canada documentaries on First Nations culture and history...
in her 1984 film Incident at Restigouche
Incident at Restigouche
Incident at Restigouche is a 1984 documentary film by Alanis Obomsawin, chronicling a series of two raids on the Listuguj Mi'gmaq First Nation by the Sûreté du Québec in 1981, as part of the efforts of the Quebec government to impose new restrictions on Native salmon fishermen.-Production...
.
External links
- http://www.listuguj.ca/
- http://www.mikmaqonline.org/
- Gespe'gewaq Mi'gmaq Resource Council
- Government of Canada's Department of Indian and Northern Affairs First Nation profile
- Canadian Encyclopedia entry: Listuguj