When the Canadian government took over, some things changed on the reserves. For example, education changed. An Indian school was begun at Burnt Church in 1879. By 1900, there were six Indian schools in New Brunswick. By 1920, all New Brunswick Indian children had to go to school. But many children didn’t go to school.
Most Micmacs were happy to have Indian schools on the reserve. From a young age children are permitted to make their own decisions. The older children who remain in school go to high school in nearby towns.
Another big improvement on the reserves was made in housing. By 1900, most Micmacs still hunted and still knew how to build wigwams. But most were living in wood-framed houses on the reserves. During the Depression Years of the 1930’s many of the Micmac homes were made better. Also many new homes were built by the government. In the Eel Ground Reserve these homes were built along the highway, not near the river where the Indians had lived long ago. By 1950, electric power was put into the reserves.
Most Indian bands across Canada have treaties with the Canadian government. The Micmacs of New Brunswick do not have any treaties. Treaties are agreements between two groups to settle a problem. In most cases the problem was over ownership of land. Today, many of these treaties have gone to court for settlement. Since the Micmacs have no treaties the new agreements will be of no help to them.