Glooscap First Nation facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Glooscap First Nation
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| Motto(s):
A community that is spirited and full of life
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 Glooscap First Nation
Location in Nova Scotia
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| Country | Canada |
| Province | Nova Scotia |
| County | Kings County |
| Established | 1907 |
| Highest elevation | 100 m (300 ft) |
| Lowest elevation | 40 m (130 ft) |
| Population
(2022)
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| • Total | 415 |
| • Change 2011-16 |  37.3% |
| Time zone | UTC-4 (Atlantic (AST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-3 (ADT) |
| NTS Map | 021H01 |
| Website | http://www.glooscapfirstnation.com/ |
| Postal code span: B0P1P0 | |
Glooscap First Nation is a Canadian Mi'kmaq aboriginal community located in both Kings County and Hants County, Nova Scotia. Also known as Kluskap, its reserve is located approximately 6.4 kilometres (4.0 mi) from the Town of Hantsport. Created in 1907 as Horton 35, the reserve encompasses some 171.1 hectares (423 acres) of rolling, mainly forested land. Forest management is practiced by the band. There is a variety store, gas bar, Greco Pizza, and gaming centre. There is also a health centre, youth centre and chapel. The Glooscap Landing Business Park is also owned by Glooscap First Nation which houses a second gas bar and Tim Hortons. The 2022 population was 415 people of whom approximately 100 lived on the reserve, making Glooscap the third-smallest First Nation community in Nova Scotia after Bear River First Nation and Annapolis Valley First Nation.
- Reserves
- Glooscap 35
- Glooscap Landing Reserve
History
Glooscap was created in 1907 from land owned by Silas Tertius Rand, a missionary of the Micmac Missionary Society. Rand purchased 450 acres close to the town of Hantsport so they could make a living selling artwork in the marketplace. The reserve was called Horton but administered by Annapolis Valley First Nation 30 km away in Cambridge.
In 1984, only one home and family were living in Horton, and they were not receiving adequate service delivery from Annapolis Valley First Nation. The Chief of Annapolis Valley First Nation, Chief Rita Smith lead the government advocacy for independence of Horton from Annapolis Valley. In 1984 Horton separated from Annapolis Valley First Nation and became its own independent First Nation reservation. Rita Smith became Horton's first Chief. The community was co-founded by five families: Smith, Peters, Francis, Labrador, and Pictou.
- Rita Smith was elected Chief from 1984 to 1989
- Joseph Peters was elected Chief from 1989 to 1995
- Shirley Clarke was elected Chief from 1995 to 2012
- Sidney Peters was elected Chief from 2012 to present
In 2001, Horton changed its name to Glooscap First Nation in honour of the legendary hero of the Mi'kmaq. Glooscap's home was located nearby at Blomidon Provincial Park, Nova Scotia.
Governance
The community is represented by a chief and a three-person council. The community is managed by the director of administration. Since 2004, the band and the Town of Hantsport have had a shared water supply.
Glooscap has a custom election code which allows the elected chief and councillors to serve five-year terms.
In 2012, the Glooscap First Nation held an election. A new Chief and Council was elected. Sidney Peters, the brother of former Glooscap First Nation Chief Shirley Clarke, was elected Chief with 55% of the vote in an election that nearly 80% of the membership voted. He is a fifth-generation Chief within the Peters family.
The new council implemented some new policies and removed some corrupt officials from their offices. They also created a new economic development corporation to provide more transparency and improve the sustainability of the community.
In 2017, Sidney Peters was re-elected with 95% of the votes (174 to 12 votes). Two other brothers were elected to council.
In 2022, Sidney Peters was acclaimed but a new council was elected.
Economic development
In 2011, the band formed a new, independently run corporation that has the responsibility of improving the economy and sustainability of Glooscap First Nation. The focus will on building partnerships with neighboring municipalities, businesses and organizations in order to benefit the entire region.
The corporation rebranded to become Glooscap Ventures in 2015 and are currently overseeing the $20 million Glooscap Landing Project as well as renewable energies projects and a seafood company.
In 2017, Glooscap was recognized for its economic development on a national scale. They were awarded the 2017 CANDO Indigenous Community Economic Developer of the Year. This award is presented to Canada's top economic development indigenous community on an annual basis.
