aboriginal iniatives first nation information

First Nations Communities in Ontario: Information and Resources

• There are 137 First Nations communities located in the province of Ontario, with a combined population of approximately 132,000.

• The Chiefs of Ontario (COO) is a political forum / secretariat that forum / secretariat that operates collective decision-making, action and advocacy.

• for better resolution, this map is located at: http://www.chiefs-of-ontario.org/profiles/map.html

• The 137 First Nation communities in Ontario are organized into four Provincial Territorial Organizations (PTO’s):

1) Nishnawbe Aski Nation (49 communities)

2) Union of Ontario Indians (42 communities)

3) Grand Council Treaty #3 (26 communities)

4) Association of Iroquois & Allied Indians (8 communities)

• 12 Independent communities that do not have any affiliation with a PTO.

• for better resolution, this map may be located online at: http://www.chiefs-of-ontario.org/profiles/largemap_new.pdf

• NAN is a political territorial organization representing 49 First Nationcommunities in northwestern and northeastern Ontario.

•NAN communities are grouped by Tribal Council according to region.

• 35 of the 49 NAN communities are remote, and are accessible by air only.

•NAN encompasses the entire James Bay Treaty 9 territory, as well as•NAN encompasses the entire James Bay Treaty 9 territory, as well asOntario's portion of Treaty 5.

•Total land mass: covers two-thirds of Ontario, spanning an area of 210,000square miles.

•Total approximate population of NAN First Nation members (on and offreserve): 45,000.

•Traditional languages spoken: Ojibway, Cree, and Ojicree.

•NAN web site: www.nan.on.ca

• NAN consists of 7 Tribal Councils:1) Windigo FN Council 2) Wabun Tribal Council 3) Shibogama FN Council 4) Mushkegowuk Council 5) Matawa First Nations 6) Keewaytinook Okimakanak7) Independent First Nations

Alliance

The following five NAN communities are listed as ‘Independent Bands,’ with no affiliation to a tribal council organization (indicated in red on the NAN map):

1) Weenusk First Nation2) Sandy Lake First Nation3) Mishkeegogamang First Nation4) Mocreebec Council of the Cree

Nation5) Flying Post

Independent Bands

Independent First Nations Alliance

Keewaytinook Okimakanak

Matawa First Nations

Mushkegowuk Council

Shibogama First Nations Council

Wabun Tribal Council

Windigo First Nations Council

• The Windigo FN Council consists of seven communities that are fly-in access only, located north of Lake Nipigon and just east of the Ontario-Manitoba border (indicated in orange on the NAN map):

1) Sachigo Lake First Nation

2) Bearskin Lake First Nation

Sachigo Lake

Bearskin Lake

Koocheching

North Caribou Lake

2) Bearskin Lake First Nation

3) Koocheching First Nation

4) North Caribou Lake First Nation

5) Cat Lake First Nation

6) Slate Falls First Nation

7) Whitewater Lake First Nation

• Windigo First Nations Council web site: www.windigo.on.ca

Cat Lake

Slate Falls

Whitewater Lake

• The Wabun Tribal Council consists of six First Nation communities in central Ontario located near the City of Timmins, just west of the Ontario-Quebec border (indicated in light brown on the NAN map):

1) Wahgoshig First Nation

2) Beaverhouse First Nation

Wahgoshig

Beaverhouse

Matachewan

Mattagami

Brunswick House

Chapleau Ojibway

2) Beaverhouse First Nation

3) Mattagami First Nation

4) Brunswick House First Nation

5) Chapleau Ojibway First Nation

6) Matachewan First Nation

• Wabun Tribal Council web site: www.wabun.on.ca

• The Shibogama First Nations Council consists of five First Nation communities in northwestern Ontario that are fly-in access only, located north of the 50th parallel (indicated in pink on the NAN map):

1) Wapekeka First Nation

Wapekeka

Kasabonika

Wawakapewin

Kingfisher Lake

Wunnumin Lake1) Wapekeka First Nation

2) Kasabonika First Nation

3) Wawakapewin First Nation

4) Kingfisher Lake First Nation

5) Wunnumin Lake First Nation

• Shibogama First Nations Council web site: www.shibogama.on.ca

Wunnumin Lake

• The Mushkegowuk Council consists of seven Cree communities in northeastern Ontario four of which are fly-in accessible, located along the Hudson Bay coast, and three of them highway-accessible located near the town of Chapleau (indicated in purple on the NAN map):1) Attawapiskat First Nation

Attawapiskat

Kashechewan

Fort Albany

Moose Cree

1) Attawapiskat First Nation2) Kashechewan First Nation3) Fort Albany First Nation4) Moose Cree First Nation5) New Post First Nation6) Missanabie Cree First Nation7) Chapleau Cree First Nation

• Mushkegowuk Council web site: www.mushkegowuk.ca

New Post

Missanabie Cree

Chapleau Cree

• The Matawa First Nations Council consists of ten communities in northwestern Ontario, five of which are road-accessible via the Trans-Canada Hwy 11, while the remaining five that are located north of the 50th parallel are fly-in access only (indicated in blue on the NAN map):1) Webequie First Nation2) NibinamikFirst Nation3) Neskantaga First Nation

Webequie

Nibinamik

Neskantaga

Eabematoong

Marten Falls

Aroland 3) Neskantaga First Nation4) Eabematoong First Nation5) Marten Falls First Nation6) Aroland First Nation7) Long Lake #58 First Nation8) Ginoogaming First Nation9) Constance Lake First Nation10) Hornepayne

• Matawa First Nations web site: www.matawa.on.ca

Aroland

Long Lake #58

Ginoogaming

Constance Lake

Hornepayne

• The Keewaytinook Okimakanak Tribal Council consists of 6 communities in northwestern Ontario, one of which is located on the Hudson Bay coast, while the remaining five are located adjacent to the Ontario-Manitoba border (indicated in green on the NAN map):1) Fort Severn First Nation

Fort Severn

1) Fort Severn First Nation2) Kee-Way-Win First Nation3) Deer Lake First Nation4) North Spirit Lake First Nation5) Poplar Hill First Nation6) MacDowell Lake First Nation

• Keewaytinook Okimakanak web site: www.knet.ca

Kee-Way-WinDeer Lake

North Spirit Lake

Poplar Hill

MacDowell Lake

• There are three NAN communities that are affiliated with the Independent First Nations Alliance (IFNA), and are located adjacent to the Manitoba border (indicated in yellow on the NAN map):

1) Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug

Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug

Muskrat Dam

1) Kitchenuhmaykoosib InninuwugFirst Nation

2) Muskrat Dam First Nation

3) Pikangikum First Nation

• Independent First Nations Alliance web site: www.ifna.ca

Pikangikum

• The UOI is a political organization that advocates for 42member First Nations across Ontario.

• The UOI represents First Nations throughout the province ofOntario from Golden Lake in the east, Sarnia in the south, toThunder Bay and Lake Nipigon in the north.Thunder Bay and Lake Nipigon in the north.

• Approximate combined population: 42,000 citizens, or one thirdof the province of Ontario’s Aboriginal population.

•The UOI is headquartered on Nipissing First Nation, just outsideof North Bay, with satellite offices in: Thunder Bay; on CurveLake First Nation; and on the Munsee-Delaware First Nation.

• The Union of Ontario Indians is the oldest political organizationin Ontario and can trace its roots back to the Confederacy ofThree Fires, which existed long before European contact.

• UOI web site: www.anishinabek.ca

• UOI communities in the Northern Superior Region are located in the Atlantic watershed, from the western edge of Lake Superior near Thunder Bay, all the Thunder Bay, all the way to the eastern edge of Lake Superior, near Sault Ste Marie.

• This geographic area corresponds with the Robinson-Superior 1850 Treaty area.

• UOI communities in the Lake Huron Region are located in central Ontario in the Atlantic watershed, from the northern edge of Lake Huron at Sault Ste Marie, at Sault Ste Marie, inland north and east all the way to the Quebec border, and also south to include the northern shore of Georgian Bay.

• This geographic area corresponds with the Robinson-Huron 1850 Treaty area.

• UOI communities in the Southeast Region are located in southern Ontario from the Ottawa from the Ottawa Valley in the north, east along the Quebec border, to the City of Toronto in the south, and west to Georgian Bay to include the Bruce Peninsula.

• UOI communities in the Southeast Region are located in southwestern Ontario, from Toronto south to Windsor, inclusive of Windsor, inclusive of the eastern shore of Lake Huron.

• This corresponds with the Upper Canada Treaties area.

• GCT3 is the historic government of the Anishinaabe Nation in the Treaty #3 area (signed in 1873).

• It is the political organization for the 28 First Nations located in this treaty area, with headquarters in Kenora, Ontario.

•GCT3 is representative of the significant movement over the years back towards Anishinaabe Nationhood by the member back towards Anishinaabe Nationhood by the member communities.

• The treaty area includes 26 First Nations in Northwestern Ontario, and 2 First Nations in Manitoba.

•Population: approximately 25,000.

• GCT3 web site: www.gct3.net

• GCT3 communities are mainly centred around the Lake of the Woods region of northwestern Ontario (near the Manitoba and Minnesota borders).

• All of the GCT3 • All of the GCT3 communities are road-accessible, and all are located within reasonable distances from the following full-service communities: Kenora, Dryden, Sioux Lookout, Fort Frances, Atikokan, and Thunder Bay.

• The AIAI was established primarily as a political organization in 1969, to represent its member Nations in any negotiation or consultation with any level of government affecting the well-being of the member Nations as a whole.

• The AIAI currently represents eight (8) member First Nations of status Indians in Ontario, with a membership of 20,000 people.status Indians in Ontario, with a membership of 20,000 people.

• The AIAI provides political representation and policy analysis in the following areas of mutual concern: Health, Social Services, Education, Intergovernmental Affairs, Treaty Research and Tax Immunity.

•AIAI web site: www.aiai.on.ca

• With the exception of the Batchewana First Nation, all of the AIAI communities are located in urban and rural southern Ontario:

1) Batchewana First Nation (just north of Sault Ste Marie)

2) Caldwell First Nation (Leamington, just south of Windsor)

3) Delaware Nation (Thamesville, just west of London)3) Delaware Nation (Thamesville, just west of London)

4) Hiawatha First Nation (Keene, just south of Peterborough)

5) Oneida Nation of the Thames (Southwold, just west of London)

6) Mississaugas of the New Credit (Hagarsville, just south of Hamilton)

7) Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte (Deseronto, just west of Kingston)

8) Wahta Mohawks (Bala, just north of Orillia)

Bearskin Lake First Nation• 425 km north of Sioux Lookout • registered population: 866

Cat Lake First Nation• 179 km north of Sioux Lookout• registered population: 653

Sachigo Lake First Nation• 425 km north of Sioux Lookout• registered population: 792

Slate Falls First Nation• 130 km north of Sioux Lookout• registered population: 246

Koocheching First Nation• 65 km northeast of Sandy Lake, 80 km west of Round Lake• registered population: 70

North Caribou Lake First Nation• 320 km north of Sioux Lookout• registered population: 990• also known as ‘Weagamow’ or ‘Round Lake’

Whitewater Lake First Nation:• 60 km north of Armstrong• registered population: 150

Wahgoshig First Nation• 6 km north of Matheson • registered population: 280

Mattagami First Nation• 50 km northwest of Sudbury • registered population 477

Chapleau Ojibway First Nation:• 3 km south of Chapleau• registered population: 40

• registered population 477

Matachewan First Nation• 60 km west of Kirkland Lake • registered population: 545

Brunswick House First Nation:• 5 km east of Chapleau• registered population: 663

Wapekeka First Nation

• 451 km northeast of Sioux Lookout

• registered population: 398

Kasabonika Lake First Nation



Wunnumin Lake First Nation:• 360 km northeast of Sioux Lookout• registered population: 629


Wawakapewin First Nation

• 350 km north of Sioux Lookout


Kingfisher Lake First Nation:



Attawapiskat First Nation• 500 km north of Timmins• registered population: 3,168

Kashechewan First Nation• 300 km north of Timmins• registered population: 4,149

(both Kashechewan and Fort

New Post First Nation• Also known as ‘Taykwa

Tagamou Nation’• 20 km west of Cochrane• registered population: 384

Missanabie Cree First Nation• registered population: 4,149 (both Kashechewan and Fort Albany)

Fort Albany First Nation• 12 km from Kashechewan

Moose Cree First Nation• 200 km north of Cochrane• registered population: 3,798

Missanabie Cree First Nation• Land entitlement currently

under negotiation• registered population: 400

Chapleau Cree First Nation• 5 km southwest of Chapleau• registered population: 92

Webequie First Nation• 540 km north of Thunder

Bay• registered population: 785

Nibinamik First Nation• 450 km north of Thunder

Bay

Eabematoong First Nation• 420 km north of Thunder Bay• registered population: 2,287

Aroland First Nation• 350 km northeast of Thunder Bay• registered population: 700


Neskantaga First Nation• 490 km north of Thunder


Marten Falls First Nation• 400 km northeast of

Thunder Bay• registered population: 619

Ginoogaming First Nation• 330 km east of Thunder Bay• registered population: 773

Long Lake #58 First Nation• registered population: 1,277

Constance Lake First Nation• 500 km east of Thunder Bay• registered population: 1,530

Fort Severn First Nation• most northern community in

Ontario (shore of Hudson Bay)• registered population: 636

Deer Lake First Nation• 180 km north of Red Lake

registered population: 1,156

North Spirit Lake First Nation• 180 km northeast of Red

Lake• registered population: 456

McDowell Lake First Nation• 160 km northeast of Red

• registered population: 1,156

Poplar Hill First Nation• 120 km north of Red Lake• registered population: 489

Kee-Way-Win First Nation• 250 km north of Red Lake• registered population: 704

• 160 km northeast of Red Lake


Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug First Nation

• 580 km north of Thunder Bay


Muskrat Dam First NationMuskrat Dam First Nation

• 540 km north of Thunder Bay


Pikangikum First Nation

• 100 km north of Red Lake

•registered population: 2,278

Weenusk (Peawanuck) First Nation• 800 km north of Thunder Bay• registered population: 535

Sandy Lake First Nation• 450 km northeast of Winnipeg

registered population: 2,656

Flying Post First Nation• office in Nipigon, Ontario• registered population: 167


Mishkeegogamang First Nation• 400 km north of Thunder Bay•registered population: 1,640

•Mocreebec Council of the Cree Nation• 200 km north of Cochrane•

Fort William First Nation• Thunder Bay, Ontario• registered population: 1,881

Lake Helen First Nation• 100 km east of Thunder Bay• Also known as ‘Red Rock First Nation’• registered population: 1,506

Kiashke Zaaging Anishinabek

Biijintiwaabik Zaaging Anishinabek• also known as ‘Rocky Bay First Nation’• 150 km east of Thunder Bay• registered population: 680

Pays Plat First Nation• 200 km east of Thunder Bay• registered population: 200

Pic Mobert First Nation• 350 km east of Thunder BayKiashke Zaaging Anishinabek

• Armstrong, Ontario• Also known as ‘Gull Bay First Nation’• registered population: 1,149

Namaygoosisagagun First Nation• Collins, Ontario• presently applying for band status

Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinabek• 200 km northeast of Thunder Bay • also known as ‘Sand Point First Nation’• registered population: 197

• 350 km east of Thunder Bay• registered population: 835

Ojibways of Pic River First Nation• 300 km east of Thunder Bay• registered population: 1,001

Michipicoten First Nation• 500 km east of Thunder Bay •registered population: 774

Animibigoo Zaa’iging Anishinabek• 250 km northeast of Thunder Bay• registered population: 396

Garden River First Nation• Sault Ste Marie, Ontario• registered population: 2,365

Thessalon First Nation• 75 km east of Sault Ste Marie• registered population: 603

Mississauga First Nation• 100 km east of Sault Ste Marie

Nipissing First Nation• 30 km west of North Bay• registered population: 2,241

Dokis First Nation• 60 km west of North Bay• registered population: 984

Whitefish Lake First Nation• 2 km west of Sudbury• registered population: 976

Wasauksing First Nation• 150 km south of Sudbury

Moose Deer Point First Nation• 150 km north of Toronto• registered population: 450

M’Chigeeng• Manitoulin Island•registered population: 2,325

SheguiandahMarie• registered population: 1,091

Sagamok Anishnawbek• 175 km east of Sault Ste Marie• registered population: 2,549

Wahnapitae First Nation• Sudbury, Ontario• registered population: 326


Whitefish River First Nation• 40 km west of Sudbury• registered population: 1,136

Henvey Inlet First Nation• 60 km south of Sudbury •registered population: 600

Magnetawan First Nation• 80 km south of Sudbury• registered population: 233

Sheguiandah• Manitoulin Island• registered population: 336

Zhiibaahaasing• Manitoulin Island

Sheshegwaning• Manitoulin Island

Aundeck Omni Kaning• Manitoulin Island

Wikwekmikong• Manitoulin Island

Algonquin of Pikwakanagan

• 140 km northwest of Ottawa


Curve Lake First Nation

• 20 km north of Peterborough

Chippewas of Georgina Island • 80 km north of Toronto• registered population: 723

Mississaugas of Scugog Island• 50 km northeast of Toronto• registered population: 205• 20 km north of Peterborough


Alderville First Nation

• 20 km southeast of Peterborough



Beausoleil First Nation• 150 km north of Toronto• registered population: 1,869

Chippewas of Kettle and Stony Point First Nation

• 30 km northeast of Sarnia


Chippewas of the Thames First

Aamjiwnaang First Nation• also known as “Chippewas of Sarnia” • 6 km south of Sarnia• registered population: 850

Chippewas of the Thames First Nation

• 15 km southwest of London


Munsee-Delaware Nation



Batchewana First Nation

• 50 km north of Sault Ste Marie


Caldwell First Nation


Oneida Nation of the Thames• 15 km southwest of London• registered population:

Mississaugas of the New Credit• 25 km southwest of Brantford• registered population: 1,901• 80 km southwest of London


Delaware Nation


Hiawatha First Nation

• 12 km south of Peterborough



Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte• km west of Kingston• registered population: 7,985

Wahta Mohawks • 200 km north of Toronto• registered population: 690

Anishinabe of Wauzhusk Onigum• registered population: 667

Anishnaabeg of Naongashing• registered population: 377

Big Grassy First Nation• registered population: 698

Couchiching First Nation• registered population: 2,065

Eagle Lake First Nation

Lac Des Milles Lacs First Nation• registered population: 535

Lac La Croix First Nation• registered population: 417

Naicatchewenin First Nation• registered population: 392

Naotkamegwanning First Nation• registered population: 1,164

Nicickousemenecaning First Nation

Ochiichagwe’babigo’ining First Nation• registered population: 347

Ojibway Nation of Saugeen• registered population: 215

Ojibways of Onigaming First Nation• registered population: 714

Rainy River First Nation• registered population: 760Eagle Lake First Nation

• registered population:

Grassy Narrows First Nation• registered population: 1,407

Iskatewizaagegan #39 First Nation • registered population: 584

Wabauskang First Nation• registered population: 269

Lac Seul First Nation• registered population: 2,951

Nicickousemenecaning First Nation• registered population: 307

Northwest Angle #33 First Nation• registered population: 472

Northwest Angle #37 First Nation• registered population: 343

Obashkaandagaang First Nation• registered population: 292

Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation• registered population: 535


Seine River First Nation• registered population: 715

Shoal Lake #40 First Nation• registered population: 558

Stanjikoming First Nation• registered population: 139

Wabasseemoong First Nation• registered population: 1,771

According to the Urban Aboriginal Peoples Study (UAPS) released in 2009 by the EnvironicsInstitute (http://www.uaps.ca/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/UAPS-FULL-REPORT.pdf):

• “According to the 2006 Census, a total of 1,172,790 people in Canada identified themselves as an Aboriginal person, that is, First Nations, Métis or Inuit. This population accounts for almost four percent of the total population of Canada.”

• “the Aboriginal population in Canada – First Nations, Métis and Inuit – grew between 1996 and 2006, experiencing an overall increase of 45 percent, a rate almost six times faster than the eight-percent increase in the non-Aboriginal population”

• “In 2006, half of the Aboriginal population in Canada lived in urban centres (including large cities or census metropolitan areas and smaller urban centres), up from 47 percent in 1996” cities or census metropolitan areas and smaller urban centres), up from 47 percent in 1996”

• “Half (48%) of Aboriginal people in Canada are children and young people under 24 years of age, much higher than the 31 percent of the non-Aboriginal population”

• “By 2017, there is projected to be close to a million Aboriginal people of working age (15 and older), or about 3.4 percent of the working age population overall (Statistics Canada 2005)”

• “In the same time period, the number of young Aboriginal adults (aged 20 to 29) – those entering the labour market – is expected to grow by more than 40 percent, which is well beyond the projected growth of nine percent among 20- to 29-year-olds in the general Canadian population”

According to the Urban Aboriginal Peoples Study (UAPS) released in 2009 by the Environics Institute (http://www.uaps.ca/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/UAPS-FULL-REPORT.pdf):

• “urban Aboriginal peoples have had greater success achieving a post-secondary education than their on-reserve counterparts”

• “almost half (47%) of Aboriginal people living in the cities included in this survey (excluding Ottawa) have a college or university degree”

• “most urban Aboriginal peoples do not learn about Aboriginal people, history and • “most urban Aboriginal peoples do not learn about Aboriginal people, history and culture in elementary and high school, and it is not until the post-secondary level that they recall learning about their culture in any measure”

• “While urban Aboriginal peoples may have overcome many barriers to get to the post-secondary level, once they are pursuing their studies the most common obstacle is funding.”

• “Urban Aboriginal peoples rely primarily on Band or Aboriginal funding for their post-secondary education, and have less access to job income, family support and personal savings than do non-Aboriginal Canadians”

• “

Government of Ontario (Aboriginal Affairs) web site (www.ontario.ca/en/about_ontario/004563):

• Statistics Canada population reporting on Aboriginal identity can be found at http://www40.statcan.gc.ca/l01/cst01/demo38b-eng.htm

• According to Stats Can: 240,000 of Ontario's people identified themselves as ‘Aboriginal’ (North American Indian, Métis or Inuit) – and this amounts to1/5 of Canada's Aboriginal population in total.

• Ontario Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs ‘Strengthening Relationships’ section • Ontario Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs ‘Strengthening Relationships’ section can be found at http://www.aboriginalaffairs.gov.on.ca/english/policy/policy.asp

• Ontario is charting a new course for constructive, cooperative relationships with Aboriginal people in Ontario.

• These relationships are based on mutual respect, dignity, and meaningful participation in decision making.

• Goal: improved opportunities and a better future for Aboriginal children and youth.

First Nations Information Project web site (http://www.johnco.com/nativel/):

• intended to assist those persons that wish to find information on First Nations and its peoples.

• links are organized in a manner that will facilitate research and information on various pertinent topics.

• Includes links to individual First Nations community web sites.

• Includes links to: economic development and tourism; education and culture; First Nation organizations; government; housing; history; health/healing; publications/newspapers; treaties/laws/land claims.

• Members of the Mississaugas of the New Credit have voted nearly unanimously in favour of an historic $145 million land claims settlement with the federal government pertaining to land in Toronto and Burlington, Ont.

• The settlement ends seven years of negotiation between the band and the federal government, and represents "the largest specific claim offer to a First Nation in the history of Canada," according to a statement on the band's website.

• Band members voted on May 29,2010 to ratify the Toronto Purchase and • Band members voted on May 29,2010 to ratify the Toronto Purchase and Brant Tract Specific Claim Settlement Agreement and Trust Agreement.

• The agreement calls for each of the band's approximately 1,842 members to receive $20,000 in cash (money for minors will be held in trust and paid, with interest, when they reach 18), and tens of millions of dollars to be designated for community and economic development, infrastructure, education, health, housing and culture.

• The settlement resolves two land claims: the Toronto purchase of 1805, which included some 250,000 acres of land, and the Brant Tract purchase of 1797, which included 3,450 acres of land.

• Long before the first European explorers set foot on what is now Canada, theancestors of the present-day members of Fort William First Nation lived along thenorth shore of Lake Superior near the mouth of the Kaministiquia River.

• Settlers from eastern Canada and Europe also found the area attractive, asdemonstrated by the growth of the adjacent City of Thunder Bay (originally the townsof Fort William and Port Arthur).

• The Fort William Reserve was created in 1853, as a condition of the 1850 Robinson-Superior Treaty.

• The Chief and Headmen who signed the Treaty intended that the Reserve would• The Chief and Headmen who signed the Treaty intended that the Reserve wouldprovide not just for their children, but for their grandchildren’s grandchildren. However,most of the best Reserve land was taken within about three generations.

• In the negotiations of The Robinson Superior Treaty, Fort William agreed not tointerfere with foreign settlers. In return, the Crown promised cash payments and tradegoods, annuities beginning in 1851, complete freedom to continue to hunt and fish asbefore (except on private land), and a Reserve at Fort William.

• At that time, Fort William First Nation was a thriving community. Most people madetheir living in traditional ways, but took advantage of the nearby Hudson’s Bay Post tosell furs and buy supplies. About ten families were employed in the commercialfishery, exporting many barrels of salted fish annually to Detroit and points east.

• A 4,600-year-old burial that has been discovered could hold the key to howancient Canadians lived. The remarkable find has been made at the mouth of theBug River, near Big Trout Lake (Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug First Nation), anAboriginal community in northern Ontario numbering around 1,200.

• The discovery was made by First Nation fishermen as water levels fell at thelake, exposing the burial. The rare site is currently being handled by anarchaeological team from Lakehead University in Thunder Bay.

• The skeleton discovered is that of a man aged in his late-30’s or 40’s. Aroundfive-and-a-half feet tall, the man had a “very, very robust muscular build,”according to team leader Prof Scott Hamilton. The man lived at around the sameaccording to team leader Prof Scott Hamilton. The man lived at around the sametime the Great Pyramids were being built in ancient Egypt, and great cities suchas Babylon were popping up across the Near East.

• The community first made international headlines in 2008, when six leaders ofthe Chief and Council were imprisoned In Thunder Bay for protestingdevelopment on their traditional land by a Toronto mining company known asPlatinex Inc.

• Several members of K.I. and surrounding First Nations protested their leaders'imprisonment by walking all the way to Toronto. Their incarcerated leaders weregiven temporary parole to appear at a Queen’s Park protest on May 26, andwere permanently freed by the Ontario Court of Appeal two days later.

• The federal government recently granted Aboriginals in Ontario a majorconcession on the province’s new harmonized sales tax (HST), amid threats thatFirst Nations protesters would “shut down the country” when it played host toworld leaders at the then-upcoming G8 and G20 summits.

• Until June 2010, Ottawa had ignored First Nation pleas for a province-widepoint-of-sale exemption from the HST after it would take effect on July 1. WithNative leaders set to plan protests that could include outright blockades, federaland provincial officials engaged in a frantic round of negotiations.

• Alvin Fiddler, senior policy adviser at the Independent First Nations Alliance (atribal council representing five communities) said the main item at a June 2010tribal council representing five communities) said the main item at a June 2010meeting of Native leaders in Fort Frances, Ont, was be how to maximizeexposure to natives’ complaints” “It’s direct action that usually gets the mostattention,” he said.

• Stan Beardy, Grand Chief of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation, said in June 2010 thatrepresentatives were very close to reaching an accord, but “if the thing isn’tresolved, we have to tell our people to do whatever we need to do in order toprotect our rights [ . . . ] We have to shut down the country if we have to.”

• For 30 years, Natives in Ontario have not had to pay provincial sales tax whenmaking purchases anywhere in the province.

• On May 24, 2010, The Couchiching Toll Booth Initiative was enacted upon byCouchiching First Nation Chief and Council as a means to address several issues: 1)The land on which a portion of Highway 11 sits upon was stolen from CFN; 2) Thefederal government has failed to address the contaminated soil sites that have forcedCFN residents from their homes; and 3) all other outstanding claims and grievanceswith the provincial and federal governments.

• In early 2009, while assessing property for development on CFN, high levels ofdioxins and furans were found in soil samples located near residential dwellings. Thetoxins were a result of improper waste management of a former sawmill site onreserve land which was leased by Indian Affairs on behalf of the band in the earlyreserve land which was leased by Indian Affairs on behalf of the band in the early1900's.

• Highway 11 which runs through CFN is a source of economic prosperity forNorthwestern Ontario and the Rainy River District, but the economic prosperity fromHighway 11 comes at CFN’s expense.

• On May 31, 2010 (seven days after the Toll Booth Initiative began), CFN received afirm commitment from federal Minister of Indian Affairs Chuck Strahl thatcontaminated lands would be dealt with, as well as negotiations about the Highway 11corridor running through their territory. The community decided to remove the tollbooth from the portion of Highway 11.

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