Myrtle Jessome:   Boucher-Pierro descendant

My husband Percy spoke Mi'kmaq and would sing Mi'kmaq songs to his children and grand-children. I never understood what he was saying or singing, but I know it was Mi'kmaq. Percy often would go to the reserves and was welcome like a family members no matter which one he went to. The one person I can remember is John Paul who was a Chief at Membertou. Percy would often visit with him. Percy would say his grand-father, perhaps great grand-father was the Chief in Bras d'Or, but I don't remember his name and I'm not sure Percy ever told me his name. I was too busy raising children in those days to take note of what someone was saying. There were times when he went to Nyanza he didnt' come back for several days.
I remember the teepees in Bras d'Or, just on the other side of the highway on the old Gannon Road, they were also teepees down by Howley's Ferry along the water.

Nancy Swan.:   Young-Pierro-Jessome-Joseph descendant

We grew up in Bras d'or, were always called Bras d'or Indians. My Aunts and uncles looked native as well as all of my 1st cousins. I am proud to be Mi'kmaq and have a passion to paint eagles, wolf and the Bras d'or lakes.

Carolyn M.:   Peck-Boutilier-Pierro(?) descendant

I remember as a young child sitting on Daddies knee and him calling me his little Indian Princess. As I grew up and well was not so perfect it would always be the Indian in me. From the time I was a little girl dad made sure I knew who I was and where I came from. Sadly there was no proof. When I contacted Erich for help and I received my band card I cried because finally someone listened and gave me what I wanted to hear. I am a BRAS D'OR INDIAN. I am a proud member of the Bras D'or First Nation.

Dad also tells me that my Grand Ma Ma Laura Peck used to invite the Indians in for a hot meal when they came to sell baskets and clothes props. I moved to the mainland Nova Scotia and you never see a clothes prop here (I remember the Indians going door to door). They are a staple in the Cape Breton Household. I only wish that my Native Heritage was spoken of more often through the family besides dad telling me. There is so much I want to know and so much I crave to hear. Seven years of chasing the dream has brought me to this site.
Erich from the bottom of my heart THANK YOU for everything you have done to show me that it was all worth it.

I am a proud Mi'kmaq woman!

Lorraine B.,  Sydney Mines :  Young-Mius-Joseph-Gallant descendant

There were Indians in North Sydney, but they WERE NOT CALLED the BRAS D'OR INDIANS, they lived on Goat's Hill.  The BRAS D'OR INDIANS were from Bras d'or.  They looked like Indians and most fished for a living.  I learned about the BRAS D'OR INDIANSS through my mother and aunts and uncles.  The Jessomes, Youngs, Pierros, Henriettas, Marshes and Carey were BRAS D'OR INDIANS  

Mike Y.,  Glace Bay : Young-Joseph descendant

The first story was told to me by Eddie C.  He and his mother would take the tram car from Reserve Mines to Sydney.  The conductor would often say to them, "Here two moreBRAS D'OR INDIANS" Eddie told me that he was highly insulted, because he was only a little kid.  His mother was Catherine [nee] Young, the daughter of Angus Young.  They used to visit Robert Newton.  His wife was Annie Young who was also a daughter of Angus by his first wife.. 

The second story is that my father used to tell us all the time that we were BRAS D'OR INDIANS and my grand-father would often say the same thing. 

The third time I remember well.  I went over to Sydney Mines to play fastball, and when they announced my name over the p.a. system, some one in the stands hollered out, "Come on you BRAS D'OR INDIANS,  hit one out of the park.

Mary B.,  Sydney Mines : Cantwell-Young-Mius-Joseph-Gallant descendant

My mother often called us the BRAS D'OR INDIANS, especially when we were misbehaving.   We didn't know it was for real.   My daughter has often been told she should apply for a card because she looks so much like an Indian.  If I'm a BRAS D'OR INDIAN than I am a BRAS D'OR INDIAN

Ronald J., Glace Bay : Jessome-Young Descendant

My uncle was always called "Chief".  He sure looked like an Indian. He would often go over to Bras d'or and go hunting and fishing with other members of the Jessome family.  So I'm not surprised to discover we descend from the BRAS D'OR INDIANS

Janice M. - Millcreek: Jessome-Young-Mius-Joseph-Gallant Descendant

The BRAS D'OR INDIANS lived in Bras d'Or, Millcreek and Boulardarie.  Families like Young, Jessome and Marsh were known as the BRAS D'OR INDIANS

My father always talked about his great grand parents who landed here on Cape Breton Island and married into the Indians, also some his great great uncles who left and went to Newfoundland and also married . He told us these stories all of our lives as it was told to him. The other part of the story was that they came  from France and as we have learned Jean Josseaume was indeed from St. Pierre and he married Mary Ann Fournier so the connections are all there . My father's aunt Dora had all the features of the natives._ We all grew up knowing this for many years.

Why were they known as the BRAS D'OR INDIANS

The reason I think is because they all settled along the Bras d'Or lakes for the fishing and also along the Millcreek road for the farm land as the lands were excellent for farming and also the hunting in the woods as most of it was woods. Down the road from where I live we use to call this side road back the brook as indeed there was and still is a brook for trout fishing and we think the natives named it that.  The road has since changed its name.

C. C. - Sydney Mines: Young

My mother would often speak of the BRAS D'OR INDIANS  She would visit the Youngs in Florence who were her relatives.  My sister also has a child for a man we called a BRAS D'OR INDIANS.  He looked like an Indian.  

Malcolm M. ?: Pierro descendant

Here is a story I recall from my mother. "When the English came, our ancestors went into the woods and lived with the Indians". 

Elisabeth McC. - Young-Mius-Joseph descendant

If you have an oral history you would like to add, please send an email with your oral history to:

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