Population: February 3, 2005 - 591

Members between 0 and 13 – (Children) – 82

Members between 14 and 29 – (Youth) – 185

Members between 30 and 65 – (Adult) – 300

Members 65 and up – (Seniors) - 24

Boundaries:

The Flat Bay Indian Band contains only members of that particular community because of its location. The community of Flat Bay remained isolated as its borders were protected by Flat Bay River in the East and Fishels River in the West, the Gulf of St. Lawrence to the North and ninety miles of unoccupied wilderness to the South.

Introduction:

The Community of Flat Bay is named after a body of water 1 mile wide, 6 miles long, and sheltered by Sandy Point, with 3 large rivers flowing into the Bay.  Salmon, trout, lobster, cod, eels, smelts, flounder and herring are all in abundance throughout the area.

The community of Flat Bay is in walking distance to wilderness country with caribou, black bear and a small animal population that used to be much needed for furs and food.  As well berries and birds plentiful within the region. Even today, Flat Bay remains a community of tradition where hunting, fishing, guiding, logging, gathering, and trapping are the skills of the people.

Currently, the community is administered by the Flat Bay Indian Band Council.  This Council was incorporated in 1972 and remains the only form of government.  The band members are members of the Grand Council of the Mi’kmaq Nation and are also affiliated with the Assembly of First Nations. Membership rule is limited to persons who can show proof of Indian origin in the 4th generation. However, all families in Flat Bay declared themselves as French/Indians in 1945 census.

Since the 1980's the education of its members has become the focus of the Band.  The Band has partnered with many agencies in the delivery of education programs, among these partnerships are: HRDC, the College of The North Atlantic and the Federation of the NL Indians. The First Adult Basic Education Community Based Project to be delivered off campus began in Flat Bay and has had great success within the community.

Band Activities:

Flat Bay Spiritual Gathering – This workshop was held in each of the band areas, and involved a Mi’kmaq Elder from Nova Scotia speaking with the youth and community members about the Mi’kmaq culture and giving teachings to the people. The Flat Bay Indian Band Youth Committee dealt with the advertisement in their communities, and helped to spread the word around the community.

Old Fashion Kitchen Party - Held Dec. 20^th, 2003. This party was a fun time for all ages.  There was live entertainment from local artists, a magic show by Flat Bay’s own Jeremy Bennett, food and a display of old time tools and pictures. This was a community gathering for the people to bring them together.

Dream Catcher Workshop – Held April 3^rd, 2004 in St. George’s at Appalachia High.  The Flat Bay and St. George’s youth joined forces to put this event off.  There were presentations on the Mi’Kmaq culture and crafts from Sarah Wells (Youth Leader, Indian Head First Nations); Georgina MacDonald (of Conne River); and Scott Butt (of Flat Bay).  Robert and Neil Whalen (of Stephenville) had crafts on display as well and taught the participants to make Dream Catchers.  Note: Robert mentioned that he learned to make dream catchers from Mrs. Mary Webb of Flat Bay.  Mrs. Webb is one of the people who the Mi’kmaq Exhibition Books was dedicated to in memory of.

Tickets were also sold on a carving made by Scott Butt.

Conne River Pow Wow – July 2^nd –4^th, 2004.  Flat Bay youth participated in the FNI Youth trip to the Conne River Pow Wow to experience the culture first hand.

Fundraisers:

50/50 Card Draw – Held Feb. 15^th, 2004.   Jocelyn Bennett of Flat Bay was the winner.  Faye White of Flat Bay drew the ticket. The youth committee has been fundraising on a regular basis to be able to attend different cultural events.

Halloween Basket – Oct. 28^th, 2004.  Tickets were sold on a Halloween Basket.  The winner was Donna Kay Bennett of Flat Bay.   Phonse Young of Flat Bay drew the ticket.

50/50 Draw – Mar. 17^th, 2005.

Tickets on Picture / Dream Catchers

The goal this year is to raise enough money to take a trip to the Pow Wow in PEI.

Flat Bay Youth Committee

Committee Profile

The Flat Bay Indian Band Youth Committee was established in October of 2003.

The committee consists of 7 executive positions consisting of 1 mentor, 2 youth leaders, 1 sectary / treasurer, and 3 committee persons.   Positions are held by the following youth from Flat Bay: Troy Bennett, Mentor; Tyrone McNeil & Lance Bennett, Youth Leaders; Stacey Hickey, Secretary / Treasurer; Alexander Sheppard, Shawn White & Samantha Ploughman, Committee People. The committee also has a number of members along with The Flat Bay Indian Band Youth Director as support

Photographs from Flat Bay:

Flat Bay People Smelting	Hunting, still a part of Flat bay tradition, for young and old alike.
Family holiday and outing on the land.	Past president of the Federation of Newfoundland Indians and current chief of the Flat Bay Indian band, Calvin White.
The eagle has landed. This eagle was found eating on the gut pile of a moose. He had eaten so much that he couldn’t fly. Holding the eagle is from left: Dean Bennett, Calvin White and Francis Miles
Circle of the founding conference of the Native Association of Newfoundland and Labrador
Flat Bay Beach where the peninsula for Sandy Point meets the mainland. Even though a strong wind is blowing and the water is full of white caps, the inside bay stays very calm and flat, hence the name Flat Bay
Chief Calvin White still eeling. Eeling has always been a Mi’kmaq tradition in Flat Bay.	Dorman Alexander still runs his sawmill. He is seen here at 77 years of age.
Deann Bennett, a Flat Bay student who organized the aboriginal showcase in Gros Morne national park during the summer of 2004. Students from Conne River were also brought in to assist in the presentation	Chief Calvin White with Leonard John of Conne River on a fishing trip in Bay D’espoir
The Bay St. George Mi’kmaq dancers consisted of members from both the Flat Bay and St. George’s Bands
The Flat Bay Indian band Building.
Local Guide	Gus white Gathering blueberries. Gathering blueberries has always been a big part of the Flat Bay way of life

Council: