Elsipogtog First Nation facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Elsipogtog First Nation
Elsipogtog Health Center
Flag
Elsipogtog First Nation Location in New Brunswick
Country	Canada
Province	New Brunswick
County	Kent County
Established	1805
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)
Area code(s)	506 / 428
NTS Map	21I10 Richibucto

The Elsipogtog First Nation is a vibrant Miꞌkmaq community in New Brunswick, Canada. It was once known as the Big Cove Band. The community's main territory, Richibucto Reserve #15, is about 8 kilometers (5 miles) southwest of Five Rivers, New Brunswick. Another part, Soegao Reserve #35, is about 5 kilometers (3 miles) west of Moncton, New Brunswick.

As of April 2023, the Elsipogtog First Nation has 3,574 registered members. Most of them (2,736) live on the reserves, while 798 live off the reserves.

History of Elsipogtog First Nation

The name "Elsipogtog" or "L'sipuktuk" means "River of Fire." This area was also known as a strong place for the Sikniktuk people. The traditional land was given to the Mi'kmaq clan of Alguimou, or L'kimu.

In the 1700s, a leader named Misel Alguimou was baptized Michael Augustine. Chief Michael Augustine signed a very important agreement called the Peace and Friendship Treaty with the British in 1761. He signed it for the Richibucto Tribe of Mi'kmaq.

The Richibucto Reserve was created in 1802, but its size was later made smaller. This reserve is also known as Richibucto Reserve #16 or the Big Cove Reserve. Today, it is officially called Elsipogtog First Nation.

Youth Justice in the Community

In 1995, the Elsipogtog community held a special day to learn about justice. This led to a new way of handling issues for young people. The Elsipogtog Restorative Justice Program helps the community deal with wrongdoing.

This program offers different ways to solve problems, like talking things out or group meetings. It helps the community decide the best way to fix problems caused by someone's actions. The goal is to help everyone involved.

Shale Gas Project Concerns

In May 2013, members of the Elsipogtog First Nation showed their worry about a planned shale gas project. A company called SWN Resources Canada wanted to do seismic imaging near their reserve. This imaging uses sound waves to create pictures of underground rock layers that might hold natural gas.

Many residents used social media to share their concerns about the planned fracking process. Throughout 2013, protesters stopped SWN workers from getting to their equipment. They blocked roads like Route 11, Route 116, and Route 134.

On July 24, a video showed a First Nations protester tying herself to equipment. This slowed down the workers until the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) removed her. On October 1, Elsipogtog First Nation Chief Arren James Sock delivered an official notice to SWN. This notice asked the company to leave the area. Many protesters continued to block Route 134 in Rexton.

Life in Elsipogtog Today

The Elsipogtog community has its own school, Elsipogtog School, for students from kindergarten to grade 8. The community also has a gas station and a Royal Canadian Mounted Police office that is open during the week.

There is a supermarket and a Pharmasave pharmacy, both owned and run by the community. Elsipogtog also has a health and wellness center. This center offers doctor services, home care, and mental health support. Community justice services are also available.

Kraft Hockeyville Win

In September 2020, a fire sadly destroyed the community's hockey arena, called the Chief Young Eagle. After this, Elsipogtog decided to enter Kraft Hockeyville. This is a Canada-wide competition run by Kraft Heinz Canada, the National Hockey League (NHL), and the National Hockey League Players Association (NHLPA).

Since 2006, this competition has given small Canadian communities a chance to win $250,000 for arena upgrades. They also get $10,000 worth of youth hockey equipment and the chance to host an NHL preseason game.

On March 20, 2021, Elsipogtog was named one of four finalists for the 2021 competition. After two days of online voting, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman announced Elsipogtog as the winner on April 10, 2021. This exciting news came just a week after the community lost two members in a fishing accident.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the NHL preseason game was delayed until October 2022. Elsipogtog celebrated with three days of fun activities.

• Day One: An alumni game was held with former NHL players, including Elsipogtog native Everett Sanipass. Three Indigenous female hockey players who played for Canadian and US national teams also joined.
• Day Two: Fans could get autographs from players like New York Islanders legend Bryan Trottier. The famous Stanley Cup also visited! Mascots from the Ottawa Senators and Montreal Canadiens were there too.
• Day Three: The big preseason game between the Senators and Canadiens took place at the J.K. Irving Centre in Bouctouche. Goaltender Jake Allen, who is from Fredericton, New Brunswick, played for the Canadiens. The Senators won the game 3–2 in overtime.

Community Areas

The Elsipogtog First Nation is made up of two main parts:

Population Information

Here's a look at the population and other details for Richibucto 15:

Population Changes Over Time

Census Year	Population	Change (%)
2016	1,937	2.4%
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

Languages Spoken (2016)

Education Levels (2006)

Notable People from Elsipogtog

• Albert Levi, a former chief and recipient of the Order of Canada.
• Mildred Milliea, a language instructor and recipient of the Order of Canada.
• Everett Sanipass, a former NHL player.