Nipissing First Nation

The Nipissing First Nation consists of first nation (i.e. aboriginal) people of Ojibwa and Algonquin descent who have lived in the area of Lake Nipissing in the Canadian province of Ontario for about 9,400 years. Though in history known by many names, they are generally considered part of the Anishinaabe peoples, a grouping which includes the Odaawaa, Ojibwe and Algonquins. This broad heritage is likely the result of the Nipissings living at a geographical crossroads - in fact at a watershed divide.

Geography

Lake Nipissing drains via the French River into Georgian Bay and, to the east of Lake Nipissing, Trout Lake drains via the Mattawa River into the Ottawa River. Thus the Nipissings lived at the crossroads between two watersheds, and were key to trade to the East, West, North and South of Lake Nipissing. This watershed divide was later portaged extensively by the French in accessing the Great Lakes by canoe from settlements around Montreal.

To the west their trade routes extended as far as Lake Nipigon and their Ojibwa neighbours, and to the north as far James Bay where they traded with the Cree and, later, the English. Their trade network to the east extended as far as present day Quebec City. The Hurons lived nearby to the South, and there is archaeological evidence that the Nipissings integrated some Huron styles and techniques in their pottery.

They obtained food primarily through hunting, fishing, and gathering although their extensive trading likely allowed them to supplement their diets with corn, beans and squash as well. Certainly the land in the lake valleys would have supported some horticulture.

Nipissing First Nation lies between the city of North Bay and the municipality of West Nipissing in northeastern Ontario, Canada. Most members of the First Nation reside on the First Nations reserve of Nipissing Indian Reserve 10.

History

Sketch of an 18th century Nippissing man by Henry Hamilton.

The trade routes that had been under the Nipissings' control became increasingly desirable during the early colonial period, as the French proved a large market for the inland pelts. As a result, the Iroquois executed military campaigns against the Huron and Bruce and, by 1647, the Nipissing regrouped in the Lake Nipigon area. The Nipissing nonetheless continued to use their historical trade routes, but at greater risk to themselves. By 1670, the Nipissing are documented to have returned to Lake Nipissing.

The noted Cherokee leader Attakullakulla (d. 1775) was originally a Nipissing before being adopted as a Cherokee after having been orphaned at their hands during a raid north.

By the early 19th century, the Europeans were actively trapping the area in and around Lake Nipissing themselves, which lead to a sharp reduction in the amount of pelts available to the Nipissings and other first nation peoples in the area.

In 1850 the Nipissing signed the Robinson Huron Treaty, in part to solidify their claim to the north shores of Lake Nipissing and its main waterways in the face of increasing European encroachment.

Society

Traditionally, the Nipissing nation was structured around families and clans (or doodems). The five doodems were: Blood (Miskwaa'aa (recorded as "Miskouaha")), Birch bark (Wiigwaas), Heron (Ashagi (recorded as "Outchougai")), Beaver (Amikwaa (recorded as "Amicois" or as "Nez Percez")) and Squirrel. During the early contact period with the Europeans, Blood, Birch bark and Squirrel were located on and about Lake Nipissing, Heron located on Lake Nipissing but extending southward to eastern Georgian Bay of Lake Huron, while Beaver was located on the northern Georgian Bay of Lake Huron, adjacent to Heron territory.

Each clan was based on family lines, with each family consisting of about thirty people and the "head man" usually being the patriarch of the family. The head men of these semi-autonomous doodem met in council to decide on the rules by which the nation would operate, governing themselves independently of each other but at the same time cooperatively as part of Nipissing Nation as a whole. There was nonetheless a great respect for an individual's right to decide their own path, whether they be a man or a woman.

The Nipissings are a very spiritual people, and traditionally used many natural medicines and had an extensive spiritual life that also encompassed interment ceremonies.

Demographics

As of February, 2009, Nipissing First Nation had a total registered population of 2,201 people, of which 886 Nipissing First Nation registrants lived on their own Reserve. The 2001 Canadian Census recorded 1,378 people lived on Nipissing 10 Indian Reserve.

Governance

The current governance of the Nipissing First Nation is elected under the custom electoral system, consisting of a chief, deputy chief and six councillors. The current council consists of Chief Marianna Couchie and Deputy Chief June Commanda, along with Councillors Doug Chevrier, Arnold May, Darrell McLeod, Brian Couchie, Zachary Beaudette and Eric "Ric" Stevens. Their three-year term ends July 31, 2012.

The Nipissing First Nation's council is a member of Waabnoong Bemjiwang Association of First Nations, which is a regional chiefs' council. The First Nation is also a member of the Union of Ontario Indians, a tribal political organization representing many of the Anishinaabe First Nations in central and southern Ontario.

Notable Nipissing

• Wayne Keon, b. 1946, prolific poet and short story writer
• Dan Frawley (ice hockey), b. 1962, NHL hockey player, captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins 1987

External links

• Nipissing First Nation homepage
• The LaVase River archeology project
• Great Lakes-Ottawa River Watershed Divide
• AANDC profile