The Elsipogtog First Nation app is now available

Elsipogtog, meaning "river of fire," is a Mi'kmaq community in New Brunswick. For many years it was known as Big Cove, and it officially took the name Elsipogtog in 2003. The community is in the district of Sikniktewaq (Sikniktuk), "the land where the water drains." The Nation's reserve lands include:

• Richibucto Reserve #15, on the Richibucto River off Route 116
• Soegao Reserve #35, 5 km west of Moncton

The Nation's history goes back to 1761, when Chief Michael Augustine signed the Peace and Friendship Treaty with the British for the Richibucto Tribe of Mi'kmaq. Land, water, family and ceremony are central to community life, and the Elsipogtog Mi'gmaq Cultural Centre helps share Mi'kmaq heritage. Mi'kmaw and English are spoken in the community.

Fisheries and forestry are the main parts of the local economy. The Nation also owns the first Pharmasave franchise in Canada owned and operated by a First Nations community. Community services include the Elsipogtog First Nation Education Authority and a Crisis Centre set up in 1992.

Elsipogtog is led by Chief Arren Sock and a council of 12 councillors. The council elected for 2026 to 2030 has six women and six men, the first time in recorded history that the council has equal numbers of women and men. The Nation is a member of the Mawiw Council.