Elsipogtog First Nation | |
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Elsipogtog Health Center
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Location of Elsipogtog First Nation in New Brunswick | |
Coordinates: 46°35′48″N 64°58′50″W / 46.59667°N 64.98056°WCoordinates: 46°35′48″N 64°58′50″W / 46.59667°N 64.98056°W | |
Country | Canada |
Province | New Brunswick |
County | Kent County |
Established | 1805 |
Government | |
• Chief | Arren Sock |
• MP | Patrick Finnigan (L) |
• MLA | Bertrand LeBlanc (L) |
Area | |
• Total | 17.72 km2 (6.84 sq mi) |
Lowest elevation | 0 m (0 ft) |
Time zone | Atlantic (AST) (UTC-4) |
• Summer (DST) | ADT (UTC-3) |
NTS Map | 021I10 |
The Elsipogtog First Nation /ɛlzɪˈbʊktʊk/, formerly called the Big Cove Band, is a Mi'kmaq First Nations band government in New Brunswick, Canada. The First Nation's territory comprises Richibucto Reserve #15, lying 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) southwest of Rexton, New Brunswick on the Richibucto River off of Route 116. It also comprises Soegao Reserve #35, lying 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) west of Moncton, New Brunswick. As of April 2016[update], the registered Elsipogtog population is 3,313, with 2,587 living on reservations and 726 living off reservations.
"Elsipogtog" or "L'sipuktuk" means "River of Fire". The area was also called the stronghold of Sikniktuk. The traditional district was assigned to the Mi'kmaq clan of Alguimou, or L'kimu. Misel Alguimou was baptised Michael Augustine in the 18th century. Chief Michael Augustine signed the Peace and Friendship Treaty with the British in 1761, on behalf of the Richibucto Tribe of Mi'kmaq. The Richibucto Reserve was established in 1802 and later reduced in size. Richibucto Reserve # 16 is also known as the Big Cove Reserve. It was also called Big Cove, Mesigig Oalnei, and currently known as Elsipogtog (Pacifique spelling), or L'sipuktuk (Francis-Smith variation) and Elsipogtog First Nation located in Weldford Parish, New Brunswick
In 1992, there were seven suicides involving youth and over 75 suicide attempts in the community. An inquest was held and one of the recommendations was the creation of a position at the school to help support the youth in the community. The Elsipogtog Crisis Centre was also established in 1992 to help combat the large number of suicides in the community.