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Flat Bay Facts:

Population

Flat Bay with 95% of its people of Indian origin and a history and present day lifestyle unchanged from the date of settlement, became a champion for aboriginal justice. The community has always and will continue to reach out to all Mi'kmaq people regardless of where they live.

The Band council incorporated in 1972
Council has Chief and seven councillors
Democratic election every 4 years
Band council only form of government
Population of 314 living in village
Education most sought after and promoted by council
Geographic location 30 miles Southwest of Stephenville. 110 kms East of Port au Basques boat ferry.
12 Kms from TCH

Flat Bay welcomes all visitors. Come join our celebration. We would also like to thank other Bay St. George Indian Band Councils for supporting our community as the site for the First Bay St. George Pow wow.

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The Community of Flat Bay

	Flat Bay derives its name from a body of water, sheltered by a strip of land known as Sandy Point. This sheltered harbour provided refuge from storms in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. It also provided for ships to anchor in close proximity to land. For that reason Sandy Point became the European settlement of the West Coast.
Flat Bay Indian Band Flat Bay Second Site How to get here

Early Settlement in Flat Bay

When European occupation became dominant, many Mi'kmaq people left occupied areas such as Sandy Point, Main Gut, and various other locations surrounding Flat Bay waters.

Some moved as far away as Conne River, others settled in a location isolated between two rivers (Flat Bay and Fishells River) and while some Mi'kmaq remained in European settled communities they were forced into assimilation by governing rules, lifestyles, etc. Their struggle to survive as a people was always a challenge, even within families. Flat Bay consisted of two different entities, Flat Bay East and Flat Bay West. Flat Bay East also assimilated with little or no contact with Flat Bay West for the longest period. Flat Bay West could never integrate, let alone assimilate.

Flat Bay West people remained "Savages" in the eyes of all who encountered them. They pursued hunting, fishing, and gathering, regardless of consequences. Recent records describe them as lawless. Their way of life is different than those who integrated. They rebelled against European laws and ignored government policies, and for this they paid the price of outright discrimination.

In spite of all the bad publicly, family ties throughout the region remained intact. People always came for blueberry harvest, capelin spawning, eel spearing, and family feasts.

The Flat Bay Mi'kmaq knew their people and where they lived. They accepted and respected the decisions of others to occupy areas such as Bay of Islands, Corner Brook, and throughout Bay St. George. These connections were to pay dividends when in 1969 aboriginal organizations were springing up across Canada. Flat Bay West without any municipal structure opted to institute Band Council governing body, Conne River had done likewise. Common knowledge of other Mi'kmaq people throughout Newfoundland laid the foundation for a provincial organization. Indian people in other communities ere contacted and encouraged to identify, promote and organize under First Nation identity.