Shallop Cove St. George's Steel Mountain Road Seal Rocks

Flat Bay Brook Barachois Mattis Point Sandy Point

Introduction:

The community of St. Georges is an area rich with Mi’kmaq history. Earliest occupation of the area is uncertain, however J.D. Rogers (1911) documented occupation of the area known as Seal Rocks or Anse aux Sauvages, which is now a part of the community of St. Georges, as early as 1538. This historical community has also been documented as a Mi’kmaq settlement as recently as 1889. Within the boundaries are many historical and sacred Mi’kmaq sites such as: Seal Rocks, once known as “Indian Town”; Molly Ann’s Cove; Steel Mountain; Calvary Hill’ Hell’s Gulch; Manewagi or “Spirit Mountain”; Hungry Grove and the mouth of Barachois Brook.

The St. Georges Indian Band was established in 1975 and affiliated with the Federation of Newfoundland Indians in 1989. It is comprised of a chief, vice-chief, secretary, treasurer, four directors, an elder and a youth representative who are elected in a democratic process for a four-year term.

There are currently over 600 members from the Seal Rocks, St. Georges, Shallop Cove, Steel Mountain, Barachois Brook and Mattis Point areas, with another 500 members residing outside the bands geographic boundaries.

As a First Nations Band Council, the St. Georges Indian Band strives to promote cultural awareness and a sense of pride in the Mi’kmaq heritage of its people. The priorities of the band include education, health, economic development, improved housing, cultural enhancement, tourism and recreation.

Economy:

The St. Georges Indian Band has continued to improve the economic standards of members within their band. In 2003 the Band was successful in securing $414,058 from The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), to restore the historic courthouse building in the town. The initial phase of the project provided 12 Mi’kmaq people from the area, employment for approximately 20 – 26 weeks. During Phase I, completed in the fall of 2004, the exterior renovation was completed.

Phase II, will see the completion of the interior renovations as well as the hiring of an interpretive planning firm to aid the organization in the design of a museum and interpretation center.

The Historic courthouse will become a tourist attraction for the area and possibly supply a few jobs for the local area including summer employment for students.

The grand opening of the Historic Courthouse is scheduled for June 2006.

Youth Activities:

The St. Georges Youth Committee

The St. Georges Youth Committee recently changed the name of their Committee to the St. Georges Young Warriors Organization. Since they have formed, they have been active in fundraising, helping in the community and working with the Elders. Most recently, the St. Georges Young Warriors assisted with an Elders feast in their community and tended to all of the needs of the Elders at the feast. One of the most important aspects of the Mi’kmaq culture is respect for the Elders. The St. Georges Young Warriors have been great role models in their community for displaying such respect. At the present time the structure of the St. Georges Young Warriors is made up of two youth leaders (Joelle Ploughman, and Ricky King), a youth director, (Lori LeRoux), who sits on the St. Georges Band Council, a secretary (Elena Messervey), treasurer, (Holly Muise), and a youth mentor (Michelle Ploughman) who is there to help the youth in any of their ventures.  The Youth Committee also has many other active members who participate on the community level.

St. George's Indian Band donates $500 to the St. George's Young Warriors Association

Karen White, treasurer of the St. George's Indian Band presents a $500 cheque to the St. George's Young Warriors Organization to help with start up costs and to open a bank account. Joelle Ploughman accepts the cheque on behalf of the group while the drummers look on in the back.

The Purpose of the group is to bring back the Mi'kmaq culture to the youth. They have formed a drumming and singing group and are hoping to make their own regalia. The youth are also planning a visit to a pow-wow in the Maritimes next summer. The group is open to all aboriginal youth age 14 to 19.

A collage of the St. George’s Band during events held on aboriginal day 2003

 

The elders feast held on Boxing Day 2004

Council:

Violet Dawson (Chief)	Address:	General Delivery St. George's, NL Canada A0N 1B0
	Phone:	(709) 646-2005
	Email:	vbenoitdawson@hotmail.com
Simeon Lee (Vice Chief)	Phone:	(709) 647-3877
Monique King (Secretary)	Phone:	(709) 647-3895
Karen White (Treasurer)	Phone:	(709) 647-3658
Jean Legge (Director)	Phone:	(709) 647-3243
Melvin White (Director)	Phone:	(709) 647-3658
Howard Skinner (Director)	Phone:	(709) 643-5794
June Galpin (Director)	Phone:	(709) 647-3334
Doreen Swyers (Elder)	Phone:	(709) 643-9476