Time Line of
Chippewas of Nawash
Time Line listed by oldest to most recent date; information unavailable after 1895.
Time Immemorial
Ancestors of the Chippewas of Nawash occupy the Saugeen Territory, encompassing two million acres of mainland and the Saugeen Fishing Islands.
1763
Royal Proclamation by King George III guarantees First Nations' territories
1764
Meeting at the Crooked Place (Treaty of Niagara), Chippewas of Lake Huron enter formal relationship with British Crown.
1822
Nautical survey of Lake Huron by Captain Bayfield shows Indian trading post at the "River Saugink".
1831
Saugeen village located on the north shore of the River, about a mile from the lake. Methodist Mission house established in April. School house constructed in May. J.B. Benham, first resident missionary, reports that the tribe numbers 177.
1834
Jacob Metigwob, John Ansance and Alexander Matweyash, Chiefs of the "Chippewa Fisheries" grant a lease of the "Saginge Islands" to the Huron Fishing Company. Thomas Wahbahtik, James Matwayash, Jacob Metikwaub and Alexander Chief confirmed as Chiefs for the Sahkeeng Indians.
1835
Fifty children in attendance at Sahgeeng Mission day - school.
1836
Surrender of the Saugeen Territory south of Owen Sound in return for two promises: that the crown will protect the Indian peninsula "forever from the encroachment of the whites" and "remove the whites who are in the habit of fishing in your grounds.
1838
List of Chiefs and Indians paid by the British for military service includes Chief Thos. Waw-be-tick and 22 warriors residing on the Saugeen Peninsula.
1839
Chief Superindentent of Indian Affairs requests government to provide an annuity to the Saugeen Indians for the land surrendered. He reports that the tribe numbers about 500 and resides at the mouth of the Saugeen River and at Owen Sound.
1840
Order-in-Council approving annuity for Saugeen Indians.
1843
Adjustment of southern boundary of Saugeen Peninsula as requested by Chief Wahbahdik to correspond with treaty.
1845
Report on the Affairs of the Indians in Canada refers to the "Chippawas of Saugeen" as having a population of 197, "including a score of Pottawatamies". There are 12 log houses, a Methodist chapel which serves as a school house and a mission house.
T.G. Anderson appointed visiting superintendent for the Central Superintendency, including the Saugeen Peninsula.
1847
"Declaration by her majesty in favor of the Ojibway Indians respecting certain lands on lake Huron" confirming rights to the Saugeen Peninsula and any islands within seven miles of the coast.
1851
Treaty No. 67, surrender of the Half-Mile Strip.
1854
Treaty No.72, surrender of the Saugeen Peninsula, retaining reserves at Saugeen, Chief's Point, Newash, Colpoy's Bay and Cape Croker.
1857
Treaty No.82, surrender of the Nawash Reserve.
1858
Report of Special Commission Investigation Indian Affairs (Pennefather Report) - Chippewas and Pottawatamies of Saugeen; "Their present numbers are 256... They have a resident Missionary of the Wesleyan persuasion among them, and the school is kept by his son... The band possess as public property a frame church, a school - house and three yoke of oxen. Their village, which is beautifully situated on the high ground , on the right bank of the river, contains 16 frame houses and 14 log houses. They cultivate 294 ½ acres, which are not held in common, but divided into separate little farms.
W.R. Barlett appointed visiting superintendent for the central superintendancy, including Saugeen Reserve.
1861
Treaty No.93, surrender of the Colpoy's Bay Reserve.
Wm. Plummer appointed visiting Superintendent for the Central Superintendency, including Saugeen Reserve.
1889
D.I.A.Annual Report: Chiefs: Henry Madwayosh, John Kadahgegwon. Councillors: David Root, Ralph Johnston, John Stevens, Caphas Kahbege, Thomas Nagum, Joshua Madwishmind. " I cannot close my report without refering to the late Chief John Kadahgegwon who departed this life at Saugeen Village in the eighty - third year of his age, honoured and respected by all who knew him. He was born on this reserve, and held the position of Chief for seventy-four years, having recieved it at the age of nine years. He had two large silver medals presented to him by the British Crown in token of his loyalty and service to the mother country. In fact, he was in every respect a noble specimen of a man."
1890
D.I.A. Annual Report: Chief: Henry H. Madwayosh. 2nd Chief: John George, Chief Councillor: David Root. Councillors: Thos Solomon, Peter Henry, D. Ashawhsege, John Kewaquom, Hiram Ayahba.
1892
D.I.A. Annual Report: "This band now numbers three hundred and seventy - nine...The two government roads are nearly completed. They will be of very great advantage to the children in going to school and should increase attendance, and will also afford the Indians easy access to every part of the reserve...During the past year the most modern and finest Methodist church on any reserve in the Dominion, it is said, has been completed, which is largely attended by indians and also whites from Surrounding neighbourhood".
1893
D.I.A. Annual Report: Chiefs: H.H. Madwayosh, John George, Ralph Johnston. Councillors: Thos Solomon, Joshua Madwashmind, Wm. Washwashsoquods, John Cook, Peter Henry. Agricultural stats: 85 houses, 15 barns, 60 stables, 850 acres cultivated. "We have under construction a school-house in the village, with all modern improvements, which will complete all the public buildings necessary on the reserve for years to come."
1895
Elected 1st July 1895 for 3 year term: Chiefs: John George, Thomas Solomon. Councillors: Cephas Kahbeeze, Little William, Hiram Ahyahba, Peter Henry.
Walter Johnston - Elder
" I take pride in the memories of reserve life, I feel like a rich man, having witnessed so many changes, both good and bad.
I remember when the gardens were plenty, and the fishing resources were plenty, too. The people were strong in their beliefs of working hard. I grew up in poverty , but I think poverty built character. I believe I'm old because of the poverty I suffered, and I'm very lucky to be old."
" Things back then were not like today. It was a better disciplined society then, harder, but the children were grown with values of life and work, the change came when we were exposed to the Whiteman. Culture too fast, and gradually some very important things were lost. It's sad to see it disappear. People believed in dreams and periods of fasting, which was abstinence of the physical world, because it was believed dreams influenced life. I remember vaguely people talking of Three Fires at one time, but it became loose, with so many things happening to destroy and control the people, distance eventually became a factor, but the Ojibway, Pottawattami and Odawa, basically believed in the same thing, from what I understand. "
