Abegweit First Nation
Encyclopedia
Abegweit is a Mi'kmaq First Nation on Prince Edward Island
, Canada
. Its population numbers 183 people on reserve and 127 off-reserve. Under the band's election code, off-reserve members are not entitled to vote in band elections.
The name Abegweit is the widely known anglicization of Epikwetk, the original word taken from the Míkmaq language for Prince Edward Island.
The Abegweit First Nation comprises three reserves
:
The Abegweit First Nation is headquartered at Scotchfort, known as Skaqmk. This is the location of a historic Míkmaq portage route connecting Mimtugaak (on the Hillsborough River
) to Kadotpichk (on Savage Harbour).
The 140 acre (54.6 hectare) Scotchfort Reserve 4 was created in 1879 and like all reserves on Prince Edward Island, was administered as part of the Lennox Island First Nation
until separating in 1972. The Abegweit First Nation amalgamated the three reserves in the eastern part of the province in the 1990s.
Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island is a Canadian province consisting of an island of the same name, as well as other islands. The maritime province is the smallest in the nation in both land area and population...
, 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...
. Its population numbers 183 people on reserve and 127 off-reserve. Under the band's election code, off-reserve members are not entitled to vote in band elections.
The name Abegweit is the widely known anglicization of Epikwetk, the original word taken from the Míkmaq language for Prince Edward Island.
The Abegweit First Nation comprises three reserves
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...
:
- Morell 2 (south of MorellMorell, Prince Edward IslandMorell is a village located in Kings County in eastern Prince Edward Island just east of Bristol.Morell is located on St. Peter’s Bay, two kilometres inland from St. Peter's Bay, a sub-basin of the Gulf of St...
) - Rocky Point 3 (southeast of CornwallCornwall, Prince Edward IslandCornwall is a Canadian suburban town located in Queens County, Prince Edward Island.The town is located immediately west of the provincial capital Charlottetown and functions as a bedroom community.-History:...
) - Scotchfort 4 (west of Mount StewartMount Stewart, Prince Edward IslandMount Stewart is a Canadian village located in the northeastern part of Queens County, Prince Edward Island.Mount Stewart is located at the head of the once-navigable portion of the Hillsborough River at the point where the river begins to narrow significantly.The village played an important role...
)
The Abegweit First Nation is headquartered at Scotchfort, known as Skaqmk. This is the location of a historic Míkmaq portage route connecting Mimtugaak (on the Hillsborough River
Hillsborough River (Prince Edward Island)
The Hillsborough River, also known as the East River, is a Canadian river in northeastern Queens County, Prince Edward Island.-Battle at Port-la-Joye :...
) to Kadotpichk (on Savage Harbour).
The 140 acre (54.6 hectare) Scotchfort Reserve 4 was created in 1879 and like all reserves on Prince Edward Island, was administered as part of the Lennox Island First Nation
Lennox Island First Nation
Lennox Island is a Mi'kmaq First Nation on Prince Edward Island, Canada, with its headquarters in Lennox Island, northeast of Tyne Valley. The band consists of a single reserve occupying all of Lennox Island....
until separating in 1972. The Abegweit First Nation amalgamated the three reserves in the eastern part of the province in the 1990s.