View source for Membertou First Nation

{{Short description|First Nations reserve in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada}}
{{Use Canadian English|date=January 2023}}
The '''Membertou First Nation''' ([[Mi'kmaq language|Mi'kmawi'simk]]: ''Maupeltu'') is a [[Mi'kmaq]] [[First Nations in Canada|First Nation]] [[band government]] in the tribal district of '''Unama'ki''', also known as [[Cape Breton Island]], [[Nova Scotia]]. As of 2012, the [[Mi'kmaq]] population is 814 on-Reserve, and approximately 481 off-Reserve.<ref>[https://fnp-ppn.aadnc-aandc.gc.ca/FNP/Main/Search/FNRegPopulation.aspx?BAND_NUMBER=26&lang=eng Registered population] </ref> It operates a community radio station [[CJIJ-FM]]. Currently, Membertou has become the most well-off First Nation in Atlantic Canada.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada |title=Well-Being in First Nations Communities, 1981-2011 - Full Report |journal=The Community Well-Being (CWB) Index |date=2016-02-08 }}</ref>

==History==
[[File:Membertou ConvCent.jpg|thumb|right|240px|Membertou Convention Centre, Membertou First Nation, Sydney, Cape Breton.]]
Membertou is mostly an urban First Nation community.  Named after the Grand Chief [[Henri Membertou]] (1510-1611) the Membertou First Nation belongs to the greater tribal group of the Mi'kmaq Nation.

Membertou was not always situated at its present location. Many years ago, Membertou (formally known as the Kings Road Reserve) was located just off of Kings Road, along the Sydney Harbour. In 1916, the [[Exchequer Court of Canada]] ordered the relocation of the 125 Mi’kmaq; the first time an aboriginal community had been legally forced through the courts to relocate in Canadian history. In 1926, the Membertou Community was officially moved to its present-day location in the vicinity of [[Mira Road, Nova Scotia]].

Membertou First Nation has been successful in diversifying its economy, featuring a convention centre, gaming centre, gas bar, business centre, a hotel and other investments within the community. The Membertou Sports and Wellness Centre, which features a YMCA and two NHL-sized rinks opened in 2016.<ref name="Arena">{{cite news|last1=George|first1=Mortimer|title=Membertou's new $19M arena opens|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/membertou-arena-hockey-rink-cape-breton-1.3748744|accessdate=23 March 2018|publisher=[[CBC News]]|date=6 September 2016}}</ref>

Currently, a business development called Seventh Exchange is being built across from the [[Nova Scotia Highway 125|Highway 125]] interchange.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://seventhexchange.com/|title=Seventh Exchange - Membertou Retail District}}</ref> It will feature big box stores and light-commercial and retail development. It will be similar to [[Dartmouth Crossing]] in the [[Halifax Regional Municipality]].

==Notable residents==
* [[Lawrence Paul]] - former chief of the Membertou First Nation
* [[Donald Marshall, Jr.]] - noted Mi'kmaq activist
* [[Donald Marshall, Sr.]] - Former Grand Chief
* [[Glen Gould]] - Actor/Musician/Comedian<ref>{{cite news|last=Taber|first=Jane|title=Native actor Glen Gould's left hook has a distinguished pedigree|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/film/native-actor-glen-goulds-left-hook-has-a-distinguished-pedigree/article9153859/|accessdate=6 March 2013|newspaper=Globe and Mail|date=Feb 28, 2013}}</ref>
* [[Daniel Christmas]] - former senator
* [[Noel Doucette]] - former Chief of the Potlotek First Nation.  Although he was the Chief of the neighbouring Chapel Island reserve, he was raised in Membertou and lived there until his late teens.
* [[Rita Joe]] - Mi'kmaq poet and songwriter
*[[Charlie Herney]] - member of the Mi’kmaq Grand Council for over 30 years. He served as the Putu's for 18 years (Putu's is an important role in the Mi'kmaq Grand Council).<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.inmemoriam.ca/view-announcement-31621-charles-william-herney.html | title=Charles William Herney: Obituary and death notice on InMemoriam }}</ref>

==Composition==
Membertou First Nation is composed of four parts as shown:

{| class="wikitable"
! | Community || Area || Location || Population || Date established 
|-
| [[Caribou Marsh 29, Nova Scotia|Caribou Marsh 29]]  || {{convert|219.3|ha }} || 8&nbsp;km. southwest of Sydney || 0 || April 28, 1882
|-
| [[Malagawatch 4, Nova Scotia|Malagawatch 4]] (1/5 share) || {{convert|661.3|ha }} || 62&nbsp;km. southwest of Sydney || 0 || August 2, 1833
|-
| [[Membertou 28B, Nova Scotia|Membertou 28B]]  || {{convert|103.6|ha }} || 1.6&nbsp;km. south of Sydney || 1,103 || August 31, 1925 
|-
| [[Sydney 28A, Nova Scotia|Sydney 28A]] || {{convert|5.1|ha}} || 1.6&nbsp;km. northeast of Sydney || 0 || September 7, 1921
|}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.membertou.ca/ Membertou Community Web Site]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100209074313/http://www.newfederation.org/Native_Leaders/Bios/Marshall.htm Native Leaders of Canada]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120714190646/http://www.showcase.ca/shows/bios.aspx?root_title_id=233044 ShowCase]
* [http://www.cbu.ca/honorees/chief-terry-paul/ Cape Breton University]

{{Mi'kmaq}}
{{First Nations in Nova Scotia}}
{{NSCapeBreton}}
{{authority control}}
{{Coord|46|6|53.84|N|60|11|25.44|W|region:CA|display=title}}

[[Category:First Nations governments in Atlantic Canada]]
[[Category:First Nations in Nova Scotia]]
[[Category:Membertou First Nation| ]]
[[Category:Communities in Cape Breton County]]