Essipit (known as Les Escoumins until 1996) is an Innu Indian reserve in the Canadian province of Quebec, located on the north shore of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence in the Côte-Nord region. It belongs to the Innue Essipit First Nation.
Essipit | |
|---|---|
Indian reserve | |
 | |
  Essipit | |
| Coordinates: 48°20′N 69°24′W / 48.333°N 69.400°W | |
| Country |  Canada |
| Province |  Quebec |
| Region | Côte-Nord |
| Regional county | None |
| Formed | 1892 (reserve) |
| Government | |
| • Chief | Denis Ross |
| • Federal riding | Montmorency—Charlevoix —Haute-Côte-Nord |
| • Prov. riding | René-Lévesque |
| Area | |
| • Land | 1.13 km2 (0.44 sq mi) |
| Population (2021)[3] | |
| • Total | 310 |
| • Density | 274.5/km2 (711/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (EST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| Postal Code | G0T 1K0 |
| Area code(s) | 418 and 581 |
| Website | www.innu-essipit.com |
The reserve is named after the historical name of the Escoumins River, that around 1664, was known as Esseigiou. Charles Arnaud, who spent many years of his life among the Montagnais stated that the river was also called Etshipi, meaning "river of shells".[4]
History edit
The Montagnais have frequented the place for thousands of years, gathering berries that covered the rocks and adorned the mossy plains in the spring. The Jesuit Relations reported on the presence of "Excomminquois" in the region since 1611. It presented them however as an enemy nation of the French and distinguished them from the Montagnais of the region who were recognized as friends. It is assumed that they likely were Mi'kmaq tribes that from the middle of the 16th century onwards sporadically left their territory around Chaleur Bay and visited the North Shore of the Saint Lawrence Gulf.[4]
In 1863, about 40 Montagnais people were counted at the Mission of Escoumins. In 1881, the Superintendent of Indian Affairs appointed surveyor Elzéar Boivin to delineate the land occupied by them. On July 23, 1892, the Government of Canada purchased the land and the Réserve indienne des Escoumins (Escoumins Indian Reserve) was formed.[4][5]
In 1994, the reserve changed its name to Communauté montagnaise Essipit, made official by Commission de toponymie du Québec on June 7, 1996. On August 7, 2003, the name was changed again, and it is now known as Innue Essipit.[4][5]
Demographics edit
Reserve population trend:[6][7]
- Population in 2021: 310 (2016 to 2021 population change: 4.4%)
- Population in 2016: 297
- Population in 2011: 268
- Population in 2006: 247
- Population in 2001: 258
- Population in 1996: 252
- Population in 1991: 237
Private dwellings occupied by usual residents: 128 (total dwellings: 134)
The total population of the Essipit First Nation is 1,050, with only 228 band members living on the reserve.[8]
References edit
- ^ Ministère des Affaires Municipales, Régions et Occupation du territoire - Répertoire des municipalités: Essipit Archived 2012-05-01 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Essipit First Nation". Aboriginal Community profiles. Indian and Northern Affairs Canada. Archived from the original on 2010-04-02. Retrieved 2010-06-15.
- ^ a b "Essipit, Indian reserve (IRI) Quebec [Census subdivision]". Statistics Canada. 9 February 2022. Retrieved 15 March 2022.
- ^ a b c d "Essipit (Réserve indienne)" (in French). Commission de toponymie du Québec. Retrieved 2010-06-15.
- ^ a b Natural Resources Canada - Legal Surveys Division, Historical Review - Innue Essipit Archived 2011-07-06 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Statistics Canada: 1996, 2001, 2006, 2011, 2016, 2021 census
- ^ "File not found | Fichier non trouvé".
- ^ "Indigenous communities in Quebec". 15 October 2021.
External links edit