Glooscap First Nation was founded in 1907 and became a separate First Nation in 1984. It covers 1.82 square kilometres (0.70 square miles) near Hantsport. Glooscap serves a population of 97 Mi'kmaq on the reserve and 312 off the reserve.
The Mi'kmaq are the largest of the First Nations peoples who traditionally occupy what are now Canada's eastern Maritime Provinces (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island) and parts of the present U.S. states of Maine and Massachusetts.
The Annapolis Valley is home to three First Nation communities. The other two are Annapolis Valley First Nation (near Cambridge) and Bear River First Nation (near Bear River).
Services
Health and Healing Centre: The Centre provides a variety of health programs. These include wellness workshops, diabetes care, prenatal care, maternal and child health, and physical activity programs. In addition, the Centre administers community events such as the Halloween Party, Christmas Party, and Family Fun Day.
Education Services: The Education Director oversees primary and secondary education for on-reserve band members. The Director also promotes cultural awareness, holistic learning and programming in school curricula. On-site computers are available for students. Tutoring and mentoring programs are also provided, as is school-supply support.
Economic Development: Glooscap Ventures is an independent corporation governed by a board of directors. It is 100% owned by Glooscap First Nation. Besides managing on-reserve business, Glooscap Ventures is developing the 27-acre Glooscap Landing along Highway 101 for retail purposes. It is also researching opportunities in renewable energy. Glooscap Ventures provides two scholarships to Glooscap First Nation youth who are pursuing post-secondary education.
In 2017, Glooscap First Nation was named the 2017 Cando Indigenous Community Economic Developer of the Year. This award is presented annually to Canada's top economic-development Indigenous community.
Other services include a youth centre, chapel, variety store, gas bar, and gaming centre.
Historic initiative
In 2020, Glooscap First Nation signed a historic Memorandum of Understanding with Acadia University. The aim was to create a one-of-a-kind model to support initiatives on campus important to Indigenous students and their culture, with an emphasis on Mi'kmaq students. This agreement is believed to be the first of its kind in Canada.