Saugeen First Nation

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Saugeen First Nation is an Ojibway First Nation located along the Saugeen River and Bruce Peninsula in Ontario, Canada. Organized in the mid 1970s, Suageen First Nation is the primary political Successor Inherent to the Chippewas of Saugeen Ojibway Territory.

There are six other First Nation communities who lived, fished, hunted and traded in Saugeen Ojibway Territory. The story of their communities from past to present realities are best told by their own people. Oral tradition carries those stories and their descendent are still alive.

[edit] History

[edit] Origins

The original people of Saugeen are Ojibway. They became known as Chippewa by people who could not pronounce the word Ojibway. Chippewas of Saugeen is the legal name of the community.

Like other Aboriginal people in Canada, in the early 1970s the Chippewas of Saugeen began referring to their community as a "First Nation".

Archaeological evidence proves all of the modern Bruce Peninsula (or the "Saugeen Peninsula" as referred by the Ojibway) was home to the Chippewas of Saugeen. From time immemorial, hunting and fishing were plentiful in this area. Archaeologists are able to find artifacts from Early Woodland Period (1000 BCE to 1000 CE), calling the culture that left artifacts in the Saugeen Ojibway Nation Territory as the Saugeen Culture. Other than pottery, the projectile points called Saugeen Point are typical characteristics of the Saugeen culture. Consequently, associated with both the Chippewas of Saugeen Ojibway Territory and the Saugeen Culture peoples were winter camps around Owen Sound, Cape Croker and the Collingwood area, as well as summer camps in Walkerton, Wiarton, Goderich, Tobermory and Red Bay. Traditional territory also included all of the Saugeen River watershed. Thus, places such as Tobermory, Meaford, Goderich, Cape Croker, Owen Sound and Orangeville are located in the traditional Saugeen Ojibway Nation Territory. The permanent settlement at the outlet of the Saugeen River which lent its name to the region and its people was called Zaageeng, meaning "mouth of river."

The Chippewas of Saugeen Ojibway are a member of the Council of Three Fires of the Ojibway, Odawa and Pottawatomi Nations. The Confederacy came to help in the Battle of Skull Mound and in the Battle of Blue Mountain.

The Wyandotte/Wendat Nation also made the area their home as did the Petun or Tobacco people.

Four of Seven major clans or doodem are found among the Chippewas of Saugeen.

One of the earliest documents recognizing Nation to Nation relations between the Crown and Indigenous peoples, the Royal Proclamation of 1763 stated "Indian land" could only be sold to the Crown.

People from many nations moved into Saugeen Ojibway Nation Territory after the War of 1812. They came from Ohio and from the State of New York. As a result of the American Indian Removal Policies of the 1830s more people came from Michigan and Wisconsin. Some were on their way to the Manitoulin Island project. Some moved from Coldwater on the Narrows. Others came from the Toronto and Niagara regions after newcomers affected their territory. Due to these influxes of people from other areas, the history of the Chippewas of Saugeen is often confused others who settled in Ojibway Territory after the American Revolution; often confused together are the history of those who settled in Cape Croker in 1854 with the history of the Chippewas of Saugeen.

[edit] Canada's Biggest Land Grab

Within 50 years of the Royal Proclamation the Upper Canada and its partners wanted the surrounding Indian lands, including the Saugeen Ojibway Nation Territory. The Army, Indian Affairs and Missionaries were aided by some Aboriginal people from other parts of Canada in the, “surrender” of the Saugeen territory.

Sir Francis Bond Head, represented the Government of Upper Canada, T.G. Anderson signed on behalf of Indian Affairs, J.Stinson signed for Wesley Missions, and F.L. Ingall represented the 15th Regiment of the Army. Three other non-native men witnessed the signing. And four “Indian” men who were not Chiefs or Head Men of Saugeen signed by their doodem and agreed to: “surrender Sauking Territory” and to “repair to (Manitoulin) island or to the territory north of Owen Sound.” They were: Mettiewabe, Kaquta Bunevairear, Kowgiswasis and Mettawansh.

The original people of Saugeen never surrendered or signed away their land or water.

In 1834 some people attempted to surrender Saugeen’s Fishing Islands by leasing them to the Huron Fishing Company. But Jacob Metigwob was from Manitoulin Island, John Ansance was from Christian Island and the Matweyosh families came from the Caldwell Band of the Chippewas of Point Pelee.

Around that time, the provincial government wanted all Anishnabek people to agree to surrender their traditional territory and move to Manitoulin Island. And, many people from the Coldwater and Point Pelee area sought shelter in Saugeen territory after other events and other people moved into their homeland.

According to some people the Chief of the Saugeen Ojibway at the time of Saugeen Tract Agreement was Wahbahdick.

Chief Wahbahdick’s name or doodem is not on Saugeen Tract Agreement.

According to our stories the last traditional Chief was John Kedugegwan/Kewaquom. A memorial in the cemetery at Chippewa Hill records John Kedugegwan as the last hereditary Chief of Saugeen.

[edit] Surrenders and new settlements

Peter Jones b.January 1, 1802-d.1856, was a Mississauga from the Credit River. He was also a Methodist Missionary. To the Ojibway he became known as: Kahkewaquonaby or Sacred Waving Feathers and refers to the feathers taken from the eagle.

The Kewaquom name is from an original family of the Saugeen Territory. It is associated with the sound Thunder Going Home. They are of the Eagle clan. Peter Jones said, that by "taking this name I was dedicated to the Thunder God." Thunder birds are represented by eagles. Eagle feathers are used in all sacred Ojibwe ceremonies.

Peter Jones was the son of a Welsh Surveyor, Augustus Jones and Tuhbenahneequay, the daughter of Head Chief Wahbansay. His niece Nahnebahwequa or Catherine and her husband William Sutton traveled with him to Saugeen Territory and also lived at the Ojibway camp at Owen Sound . They went to England to solicit funds for their missionary work. Catherine Sutton is also reported to have met with Queen Victoria to ask for compensation for her property. He married an Englishwoman, Eliza Field and had five children.

Peter Jones baptized Chief Kegedonce. Kegedonce was the Chief of the Naguhweseebee-Ausable River which is by Port Franks, which is now known as the Pinery-Ipperwash area. Kegedonce took the Christian name Peter and became known as Peter Kegedonce Jones. He also told Peter Jones he would accept Christianity if Chief Wawanosh from Sarnia did. In the directory of First Nations Individuals in South Western Ontario 1750-1850, by Greg Curnoe,, Kegedonce is recorded as telling Rev. Peter Jones that he," wanted to settle at Saugeen" and accept presents at the mouth of the Red River-Goderich.

Chief Kegedonce Jones was found murdered near Goderich in 1831. His wife and family moved to the Owen Sound village, "to escape Kegedonce's enemies" ( Mullin 1997) His son Peter Kegedonce Jones would later become a Chief.

In compliance with their agreement, Indian Affairs built 8 houses. Thomas Anderson, Superintendent of Indian Affairs noted on November 6, 1845 that “Four families from outside Saugeen Territory, two Michigan Pottawatomi and two from elsewhere in Canada occupied those houses.”

Chief Wahbudick lived at the Owen Sound village of the Saugeen people when others sought shelter in our territory.

In the Imperial Proclamation of 1847, which was signed at Montreal on June 29, 1847, the “Trusty” and, “Well Beloved Cousin James, Earl of Elgin and Kincardine, “witnessed the declaration of the “Royal Will and Pleasure” that “no surrender shall be approved or acted upon, unless resolved on or approved at a meeting of Sachems, Chiefs or Principal Men.”

On October 13, 1854, the church and the government gathered some men to place their name on their proposed surrender and division of more of the Saugeen territory.

[edit] From traditional to an elected style of government

Kezigkoenene (Giizhigowinini) or David Sawyer was the cousin of Peter Jones-Kahkewaquonaby and was from the Credit River. He was the son of Nawahjegezhewabe: Chief Joseph Sawyer b.1786, Genesee County, New York. Records in the Canadian Archives note that David Sawyer came to live with some of the people at the Owen Sound village which eventually became known as Nawash. It is recorded that the Nawash," on March 9, 1855, passed a resolution that David Sawyer replace Kegedonce as their chief and interpreter." David Sawyer attended the mission school taught by Peter Jones brother: Thayendanega or John Jones. David Sawyer signed the treaty of 1854 to surrender most of Saugeen Territory.

Records in Library and Archives Canada also state that,"when Sawyer was absent from the Owen Sound area in 1856, the Indian Department" secured the surrender" when, "a few Indians were invited to Toronto to sign a Treaty" where they surrendered the Owen Sound village, "including Sawyer's farm" and Catherine Sutton's new home.

Treaty No. 82 was signed at Toronto, February 9, 1857. It sold, “the land upon which we now reside, commonly known as the Nawash or Owen Sound Reserve.”

Treaty No. 93, surrendered the area known as Colpoy’s Bay of Saugeen Territory.

The 1851 census lists John Johnston as American Potawatomi. He signed the treaty of 1854.

In the Directory of First Nations Individuals in South-Western Ontario 1750-1850, Greg Curnoe records James Newash as an Odawa. He is reported to have moved to Saugeen after the war of 1812 and the Battle at Moraviantown. It is said that Nawash fought with Tecumseh. He settled with his community on the fighting islands of Detroit River around 1815 and moved to the Miami River in 1819. James Newash also signed the Treaty of 1854 .

Charles Keeshig is recorded as being a very well educated Pottawatomi from the United States who worked as an interpreter in Saugeen Territory. He was the brother in law of Peter Jones Kegedonce. Peter Jones Kegedonce was the son of Kegedonce Chief of the Ausable River people by Kettle and Stony Point.

The Department of Indian Affairs replaced David Sawyer with Charles Keeshick as an agent for the people who became known as the Nawash of Owen Sound. Library and Archives Canada, notes that "during Keeshick's term of office the band ceded to the government in 1854, almost all of the Bruce Peninsula." He signed the Treaty of 1854.

The Treaty of 1854 was one of the biggest land grabs in history. It involved the surrender of 1.5 million acres (6070 km²) of the traditional territory of the Saugeen Ojibway. It is recorded as No.72 : Surrender of the Saugeen Peninsula.

The doodem of Chief Wahbudick appears on that treaty even though Thomas Anderson, as Superintendent of Indian Affairs removed him from official office as the Chief of the Saugeen Ojibway.

The time of surrenders and treaties was very difficult for the Saugeen Ojibway. Most could not read or write English and that was the language used to sign and record land surrenders and treaties.

It was also the time that people from other places allowed the Department of Indian Affairs into Saugeen Ojibway Territory to set up an elected form of government.

[edit] Government

[edit] Current Band Council

Saugeen First Nations Government consists of a Chief and nine Councillors. The current Chief is Randall Kahgee, Jr. The nine Councillors are:

Randall Roote (Former Chief)
Vern Roote (Former Chief) (Former Grand Chief of the Union of Ontario Indians)
Clint Roote
Tim John
Anthony Kahgee
Allan Mason
James "Jim" Ritchie
Lorne Mandawoub
Brian Johnson

[edit] Government services provided by Federal and Provincial Agencies

The government of Canada and the Province of Ontario provides the funds for Saugeen First Nation which are administered by different Departments such as:

Education
Membership
Finance
Scroll
IT Tech
Cap Site (Community Access Computers)
Housing
Band Administrator
Executive Staff
Chief and Council
Economic Development
Lands and Leasing
G'Shawdagawin Day Care
Kabaeashawim Women's Shelter – all women welcome, not just First Nation Residents
Elder's Facility
Mino Bimaadsawin Health Centre
Employment and Training Centre
Library
Works Department
Fisheries Department
Waterworks
Water Project Manager

[edit] Reserves

The Saugeen First Nation's reserve includes four land reserves and portions of Lake Huron. The land-reserves are Chief's Point Reserve No. 28, Saugeen Reserve No. 29, Saugeen Hunting Grounds No. 60A and Saugeen & Cape Croker Fishing Island Indian Reserve No. 1. Of the four, Saugeen Reserve No. 29 is considered the main reserve, while Saugeen & Cape Croker Fishing Island Indian Reserve No. 1 is shared with Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation.

[edit] Official address

Saugeen First Nation
RR 1
Southampton, Ontario N0H 2L0
Phone: (519) 797-2781
Fax: (519) 797-2978
website

[edit] Arts and entertainment

[edit] Arts

There are many artisans in Saugeen First Nation who create many different kinds of handicraft and paintings, the most famous artist from Saugeen First Nation being Robert Henry Jr who has quite the following in Northern Ontario where he now resides.

[edit] Entertainment

The Recreation Centre on the Saugeen First Nation is host to many fun activities such as Ball Hockey, Volleyabll, Badminton, Basketball, and dodgeball, also the Recreation Centre has many activities set up for young children and teenagers to help keep them out of trouble. One such program is S.Y.C.O.P.S in which group members go on trips such as whitewater rafting, and is often run in conjunction with the Toronto Police Department, Anishnabek Police and the Saugeen Recreation Centre.

[edit] Saugeen Amphitheatre and Gardens

The Amphitheatre and Gardens in a popular place to have weddings, wedding pictures of just to take a stroll, the Amphitheatre hosts many different musical acts in the summer and the Gardens has a beautiful view of the Saugeen River, with its flowers, cobblestones, and Nature Trail visit the Saugeen First Nation amphitheatre and Gardens for a restfull relaxing time.

There is a fee for weddings and events but stopping by and strolling in is absolutely free.

Saugeen First Nation has a great fireworks display on the Sunday of the May 24 weekend (weather Permitting).

[edit] South Sauble Beach

Home to fantastic sunsets South Sauble Beach is a great spot to bring your family for a day trip or to rent a cottage and relaxe. South Sauble Beach offers many places to dine for fast food the Fries and More Chip Wagon or Ritchies Fries are excellent places to taste home cut fries and hamburgers and contemporary First Nation Cuisine, and the Driftwood offers a sit down style of restaurant with excellent food. South Sauble Beach is one the last beaches in Canada you can bring a vehicle onto for a fee, walk on's and Bike On's are free. Whether your out for some swimming or to sit back and make sandcastles South Sauble will be a blast.

[edit] Cultural attractions

[edit] Pow wow

The Saugeen First Nation has a competition Pow-wow on the second weekend of August showcasing Native Dance, Handicraft, Contemporary Native music and is open to all spectaters for a small admission. Dancers and singers compete for money.

[edit] Religion

The Saugeen First Nation is home to many denominations of Christianity such as the Wesley United Church (United), Saugeen Full Gospel Church (Pentecostal), Baptist Church, Roman Catholic, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and a small multi-denomenational Church on French Bay Road.

Also many residents are going back to the Traditional ways or co-practising Traditional and Christian religions.

[edit] Contemporary issues

Like Chief Wahbudick, many people of Saugeen still do not believe in surrendering their rights or the birthrights of their children.
The original people of Saugeen still defend their territory.
It is also important to remember where Kegedonce was found as Dudley George and other warriors defended traditional burial grounds by Ipperwash-Ausable River.
The Duluth Declaration of 1995 affirm Saugeen First Nation's jurisdiction over the waters around the Saugeen/Bruce Peninsula. Though a 1993 Canadian Federal Court decision declaring that the Ojibways' right to fish commercially takes precedence over any other activity, the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources have attempted to impose an Aboriginal Communal Fishing Licence on the Saugeen First Nation, a direct assult on Tribal Sovereignty, which the Saugeen First Nation have never abrogated authority or relinquished it to any other entity.
Since 1830 the people were influenced and their lives affected by newcomers to the Saugeen Territory. These influences include:
- Two-thirds of the current population of the Saugeen First Nation are not members of Saugeen. Many non-Native and Native people from other bands spouses of Saugeen-member enjoy housing through low interest loans, if the Band Member and Non Band Member divorce then the Band member will retain all property rights as Non band members cannot own property on reserve although they may lease the land. Leasing of land is usually only done on South Sauble Beach for cottages.
- Racial and Cultural make-up of the Saugeen population now consists of Black/Ojibway, Chinese/Ojibway, Ukranian/Ojibway, Jewish/Ojibway, Ojibway/Odawa, Ojibway/Oneida, Ojibway/French and Ojibway/Pottawatomi, to name only a few.

[edit] Businesses

Saugeen Gas Bar on Cameron drive and French Bay Road has everything from Snack Foods,Soda, Juice, a small array of Groceries, Movie Rentals, Cigarettes both Brand Name and the Legally First Nation Produced discount cigarettes (Sago, D.K) which have the tax stamp and health warnings, and Gas. Open 8:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m, 10:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Little Barn Craft Shop on French Bay Road has Native Handicraft,Handmade and Factory Made Moccasins, Quill Boxes, Books, Insense, T shirts, Dolls and much more. Open 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m., 1:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. on Sunday.
Standing Arrows Smoke shop on French bay and Highway 21 has Legal First Nation Brand Cigarettes with tax stamp and health warnings, Soda, snack foods. Open from 9:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m.
Lone Wolf 24 hour Coffee and Cigarettes has fresh ground Coffee, Soda, cookies, Milk, Chocolate Milk, sandwiches and Legal First Nation Discount Brand cigarettes with tax stamp and health warning. Open 24 hours a day 365 days a year.
Kim's Discount Smokes on the Sauble Beach Highway and Freanch Bay road. Sells Legal First Nation Brand discount cigarettes with tax stamp and health warning. Open 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.
RPM Motopark on Kewaydin road off Scotch Settlement Road is a motor park for dirtbikes and four wheelers often having races and other activities.

[edit] Media

Saugeen First Nation has access to major non Native Media through over the air television (Antenna), Cable, Satellite (both DBS and Big Ugly Dish).

[edit] Radio

AM Radio Stations

560 - CFOS, oldies (Owen Sound)
1490 - CFPS (currently silent)

FM Radio Stations

90.1 - CJLF, Christian Music (Owen Sound)
93.7 - CKYC, country music (Owen Sound)
94.5 - CIBU, rock music (Wingham)
95.5 - CIYN. The Coast FM playing Classic Hits (Kincardine)
97.9 - CFPS, light hits (Port Elgin)
100.1 - CHFN, Your friendly First Nation Station (Chippewas of Nawash)
101.7 - CKNX, Mix 101 (Wingham)
106.7 - CIXK, Mix 106 (Owen Sound)

[edit] Television

CKCO 2 - CTV
CIII 4 - Global
CKNX 8 - A-Channel
CICO 12 - TVOntario
CBLN 45 - CBC

If you are into the hobby of DXing, Saugeen First Nation pulls in quite a few stations, though they only come in 2-4 days of the week in the summer.

[edit] Print

The Owen Sound Sun Times [1] is a daily newspaper from the city of Owen Sound, Ontario owned by Osprey Media Group.

The Shoreline Beacon is a weekly newspaper out of Port Elgin, Ontario owned by the Sun Media Corporation.

The Saugeen News is a monthly newsletter sent out to all Band Members containing Band Member birthdays, Events at the Beach, Recreation Centre, Mino Bimaadsawin Health Centre, etc. Published by the Saugeen Band Council.

[edit] Water Project

The Saugeen First Nation is currently building a water tower and installing newer pipes to serve the member of Saugeen First Nation with clean treated drinking water, The Drinking Water will still be treated in the Southampton's new Zenon Environmental Water Treatment Plant.

Roads during the installation of the new pipe system will be blocked off to one lane due to the heavy machinery needed to dig and install the pipelines.

[edit] References

Ojibway of Southern Ontario by Peter Schmalz, 1991, University of Toronto Press
Disunity and Dispossession: Nawash Ojibwa and Pottawatomi in the Saugeen Territory, 1836-1865 by Stephanie McMullen, 1997, University of Calgary Masters Thesis
Deeds/Nations: Directory of First Nations Individuals in South-Western Ontario 1750-1850 by Greg Curnoe, http://www.adamsheritage.com/deedsnations/default.htm www.adamsheritage.com/deedsnations/default.htm
Dictionary of Canadian Biographies. Donald B. Smith. 2000. University of Toronto/Universite Laval
Sacred feathers: the Reverend Peter Jones (Kahkewaquonaby) & the Mississauga Indians by Donald B. Smith., 1987, University of Toronto Press
Pre-History of Southern Ontario by Nicholas Adams, 1995, http://www.adamsheritage.com/pre/e-mwood.htm
Ontario Prehistory Archaeological Survey of Canada Woodland Period 1000 B.C. ~ A.D. 1000 by Canadian Museum of Civilization, http://www.civilization.ca/cmc/archeo/oracles/ontario/10.htm
Saugeen Points by London Chapter Ontario Archaeological Society, http://www.ssc.uwo.ca/assoc/oas/points/saugeen.html
Indian Treaties and Surrenders. Volume 1: Treaties 1-138. Reprinted Saskatoon: Fifth House.1992

[edit] External links

Ontario Archaeology Society: The Archaeology of Ontario - Middle Woodland Period
Nicholas R. Adams: Ontario PreHistory - An Introduction
Archaeological Survey of Canada: Ontario Prehistory
Peace Brigade International article
Duluth Declaration text

[edit] Related links

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Categories: Ojibwa reserves in Ontario | History of Ontario | Communities in Bruce County, Ontario