| Band Name: | Eskasoni Mi'kmaw Nation |
| Band Number: | 23 |
| People: | Miꞌkmaq |
| Province: | Nova Scotia |
| Main Reserve: | Eskasoni 3 |
| Reserve: | |
| Area: | 42.809 |
| Pop Year: | 2021 |
| On Reserve: | 3973 |
| Off Reserve: | 700 |
| Chief: | Leroy Denny |
| Council Size: | 12 |
| Tribal Council: | Union of Nova Scotia Miꞌkmaq |
| Website: | eskasoni.ca |
| Footnotes: | [1] |
The Eskasoni Mi'kmaw Nation (Mi'kmaq; Micmac: Eskissonqnik) is a band government of the Mi'kmaq First Nations, located in Unama'ki (Cape Breton), Nova Scotia, Canada. As of 2021, Eskasoni has a membership of 4,675. Of this population, 3,973 live on-Reserve, and 667 live off-Reserve.[2]
The word 'Eskasoni' is derived from the Mi'kmaq word Mi'kmaq; Micmac: We'kwistoqnik, which means 'where the fir trees are plentiful'.[3]
In 1942, the federal government enacted a centralization policy through Indian Affairs. This policy led to the forced relocation of hundreds of Mi’kmaq from the Digby, Nova Scotia area to two reserves – Eskasoni and Shubenacadie, known today as Sipekne’katik.[4] This led to rapid population growth in Eskasoni, which was previously home to less than 200 residents.
In 2016 Dr. Mohan Singh Virick, a Sikh doctor who served Eskasoni for 50 years, donated 140 hectares (335 acres) of land.[5] He also donated a building in Sydney to help house Eskasoni's growing population.[6]
Eskasoni is the most populous community of the Mi'kmaq Nation. It has its own community radio station, CICU-FM, broadcasting at 94.1 MHz. The Eskasoni First Nation is also home of the Unama'ki Institute of Natural Resources, a Mi'kmaq organization devoted to natural resources and the environment.
The community operates its own school board, providing services to children from kindergarten to grade 12.[7]
The Eskasoni First Nation is composed of three parts:
| Community | Area | Location | Population | Date established | |
| 40 km. southwest of Sydney | 3,973 | July 1, 1832 | |||
| 40 km. southwest of Sydney | 0 | July 20, 1948 | |||
| Malagawatch 4 (1/5 share) | 62 km. southwest of Sydney | 0 | August 2, 1833 |