Metepenagiag Mi'kmaq Nation

Metepenagiag Mi'kmaq Nation
Metepenagiag Mi'kmaq Nation
Location of Metepenagiag in New Brunswick
Coordinates:
Country Canada
Province New Brunswick
County Northumberland County
Established 1783
Government
 • Chief Freeman Ward
 • Council Norman Ward
Michael Anthony John Haddad
Kenny Levy
Lawrence J Ward
Delbert Ward
 • MP Tilly O'Neill-Gordon (C)
 • Provincial Representatives Jake Stewart (PC)
Robert Trevors (PC)
Area
 • Total 39.07 km2 (15.1 sq mi)
Lowest elevation 0 m (0 ft)
Population (2007)[1]
 • Total 553
Time zone Atlantic (AST) (UTC-4)
 • Summer (DST) ADT (UTC-3)
NTS Map 021I13
Website http://www.metepenagiag.ca/
Postal code span:

Metepenagiag (pronounced MET-DEH-B'-NAH-GHEE-AGH) is a Mi'kmaq First Nation community comprising four reserves (Red bank #4, Red Bank #7, Big Hole Tract #8 north half, Indian Point # 1) centred at Red Bank, approximately 20 km west of Miramichi, New Brunswick, Canada.[1]

Contents

History

Although officially recognised in 1783, Metepenagiag has been home to a Mi'kmaq community for over 3000 years[2], making it the oldest community in New Brunswick. Evidence for the age of the community was discovered in 1972 by Joseph Mike Augustine (a.k.a Joe Mike.). After reading a magazine article about an ancient burial ground in Arizona, Joe Mike recalled a similar mound near his home. The artifacts found at the site (the Augustine Mound), and a second nearby site (the Oxbow site) demonstrated that Metepenagiag had been continuously inhabited for over 3000 years[2], and that the community enjoyed trading relationships with other First Nations communities, stretching as far west as the Ohio River Valley[2].

The Oxbow and Augustine Mound Sites have been declared National Historic Sites by the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada. Over 100 additional archeological sites have been discovered in the area since 1975.[2][3][4]

Prominent Citizens

Joe Mike Augustine - Discoverer of the Augustine Mound

Noah Augustine - Native activist & former Chief

External links

http://www.metpark.ca/

References

  1. ^ a b [1], Indian and Northern Affairs, retrieved August 8, 2008.
  2. ^ a b c d Allen, P. 1994. Metepenagiag: New Brunswick's Oldest Village. Red Bank First Nation & Gooselane Editions, Fredericton & Red Bank.
  3. ^ [2], Metepenagiag, retrieved August 8, 2008.
  4. ^ [3], Metepenagiag Park, retrieved August 8, 2008
First Nations
Buctouche Band · Burnt Church Band · Eel Ground Band · Eel River Bar Band · Elsipogtog First Nation · Fort Folly Band · Indian Island Band · Kingsclear Band · Madawaska Maliseet First Nation · Metepenagiag Mi'kmaq Nation · Oromocto Band · Pabineau Band · Saint Mary's Band · Tobique Band · Woodstock Band