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A Short History of Chief Island 1856-2007 As Prepared by Leclair

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A Short History of Chief Island 1856-2007 As Prepared by Leclair A SHORT HISTORY OF CHIEF ISLAND, 1856-2007 Abstract A brief examination of Chippewas of Rama First Nation’s assertion to title Prepared for Chippewas of Rama First Nation by Leclair Historical Research, June 2021 PRIVILEDGED AND CONFIDENTIAL Introduction In late May 2021 Cathy Edney, Communications Manager, Rama First Nation contacted Leclair Historical Research asking for a primer on the status of Chief Island, Rama Township. Rama First Nation asserts that this island is part of the traditional territory of the Chippewas of Lake Huron and Simcoe, and more specifically, that of Rama First Nation. A search of the historical abstract books for Ramara Township housed at Simcoe County’s Land Registry Office # 51 was also undertaken as a precaution against the question of a title conflict. 1 No cloud on the title to the island was found. In sum, Chief Island has never been covered by treaty and remains Indigenous territory. It has a special significance for Rama First Nation as it has been used as a burial ground for its people for centuries. It is also the final resting place of those ancient ancestors whose care has been entrusted to Rama First Nation. Through a Joint Band Council Resolution passed among the Chippewas of Rama, Beausoleil Island and Georgina Island in 1964, and an accompanying federal Ministerial Order, Chief Island has been expressly named as part of the reserve lands of the Chippewas of Rama First Nation. 1 The historical land abstract books are available online through the government of Ontario’s ONLAND, land registry access. https://www.onland.ca/ui/25/books/search. LHR to Chippewas of Rama First Nation, June 7, 2021 1 PRIVILEDGED AND CONFIDENTIAL An extract from Geological Survey, Map 49A, Orillia Sheet Simcoe and Ontario Counties, circa 1910, shows the size and location of Chief Island. University of Ottawa Map Library 31 D/11 OE, West 1. LHR to Chippewas of Rama First Nation, June 7, 2021 2 PRIVILEDGED AND CONFIDENTIAL Testing Ownership, 1856 Early in 1856, the Department of Indian Affairs raised the issue of the ownership of the islands in Lake Couchiching. Writing to Indian Agent T. G. Anderson, the Departmental Accountant S. Y. Chesley submitted an offer by an Adam Wilson to purchase islands in Lake Couchiching and Simcoe. Chief Island appeared at the top of Wilson’s list.2 Prior to mid-century, the government did not know which First Nations had territorial claim to these islands. This recent offer would help clarify matters at the highest governmental level: The Governor General conceives this a fitting time to test the question of ownership of these Islands and in this view requests that you will ascertain whether the Indians who claim them are willing to surrender their right to the Crown, to be sold for their benefit in order that the surrender if made may be submitted to the Hon’ble the Executive Council for ratification.”3 Anderson was also given permission to take an actual surrender. Anderson promised to canvas the communities about their willingness to sell when he visited them to take the annual census.4 In June, the Chippewas “residing on the shores of Lakes Couchiching, Simcoe and Huron” exercised their rightful ownership over the islands in Lakes Couchiching and Simcoe by authorizing a surrender of four islands in Lake Simcoe known by the names of Plum, Papushquan, Saingaubequoindaig and Eshputenang as well as an island in Lake Couchiching called Pumpkin Island.5 As intimated above, the single island in Lake Couchiching was added to the surrender as a test of ownership to the other islands in that body of water.6 For a brief period 2 Typed transcript of letter to Chief Superintendent of Indian Affairs from Adam Wilson, 18 February 1856. LAC RG10, vol. 7750, File 27006-1 pt. 1, C-12043. Wilson also wanted to purchase Horse, Baskerville, Pumpkin Islands in Lake Couchiching and Grape and Antioi “and any other of the smaller Islands in either of the Lakes which the Department may desire to sell.” Adam Wilson (1814-1891) was a noted Toronto Barrister. He was also the mayor of Toronto 1858-1860. See Sir Adam Wilson, Dictionary of Canadian Biography, Vol. XII, http://www.biographi.ca/en/bio/wilson_adam_12E.html. Not copied. 3 Copy of a letter S. Y. Chesley, Indian Department, Toronto, to T. G. Anderson, 19 February 1856. Copy records that letter no. 8019 was taken from Letter Book vol. 11, p. 170. See LAC, RG10, vol. 7750, File 27006-1, pt. 1, C- 12043. 4 Copy of a letter T. G. Anderson, Cobourg to S. Y. Chesley, Accountant, Indian Department, Toronto, dated 25 February 1856. LAC, RG10, vol. 7750, File 27006-1, pt. 1, C-12043. 5 See Treaty no. 76, dated 5 June 1856. LAC, RG 10, vol. 1845, IT 188, IA Con no 76, T-9939. 6 See typed transcript of a letter from T. G. Anderson, S.I.A. Cobourg to S. Y. Chesley, Accountant, Indian Department, Toronto, dated 25 February 1856. LAC RG10, vol. 7750, File 27006-1 pt. 1, C-12043 LHR to Chippewas of Rama First Nation, June 7, 2021 3 PRIVILEDGED AND CONFIDENTIAL prior to the surrender, the Indian Department had the impression that all three communities wished to consolidate their lands at Rama and revenue generated from this sale would go towards purchasing additional properties in that township.7 Shortly after the island cession treaty was made, the signatory nations flatly denied any interest in this proposition, choosing instead to live in separate communities. Signatories to the June 5, 1856 Islands Treaty no. 76, LAC, RG10, vol. 1845, IT 188, Indian Affairs Con. no. 76. T-9939 7 See typed transcript of a letter from T. G. Anderson, S.I.A. Cobourg to S. Y. Chesley, Accountant, Indian Department, Toronto, dated 25 February 1856.By the eve of the islands surrender, leaders from both the Beausoleil and Snake Island bands as well as those living at Colpoy’s Bay with John Beatty denied ever espousing the idea of moving. See T. G. Anderson S. I.A. Cobourg to R. T. Pennefather, S.G.I.A., Toronto, dated 16 July 1856, both in LAC RG10, vol. 7750, File 27006-1 pt. 1, C-12043. LHR to Chippewas of Rama First Nation, June 7, 2021 4 PRIVILEDGED AND CONFIDENTIAL Chief Island Survey, 1915 Once made available for purchase in 1864, sales of these surrendered islands continued until 1892. Subsequent surrenders to portions of reserved islands, including lands for timber and light house purposes continued into the turn of the twentieth century.8 It was during this time that continued, but fruitless pressure to surrender additional islands, including Chief, was placed upon the Chippewa. By 1902 the Department realized that there never been a proper survey done of the islands owned by the Chippewa Tri Council in lakes Simcoe and Couchiching.9 It would take over a decade before the Department employed D. Watson, from the Orillia survey firm of Cavana and Watson to survey the unsold islands in Lake Couchiching.10 Watson received his instructions from the Indian Department on June 29, 1915.11 An addendum to Watson’s instructions dealt directly with Chief Island. The Assistant Deputy and Secretary clarified: With further reference to instruction to you of the 29th ultimo to survey Islands in lake Couchiching, it is noted that you were advised not to traverse Chief Island. This was an error and you should have been requested to traverse Chief Island and should consider whether or not this Island should be sub-divided into lots and if in your opinion it should be, you should make the sub-division in such manner as in your judgement will be most advantageous. You should give your description and valuation of each separate parcel. 12 8 See Memorandum from G. McCauley, Accountant, Indian Department to Mr. Williams, dated 5 August 1926. LAC, R 10, vol. 7750, File 27006-1, reel C-12044. 9 Memorandum to the Deputy Superintendent from Samuel Bray Chief Surveyor Ottawa dated 2 December 1902. LAC, RG 10, vol. 3069, file 254,090, C-11319. 10 Memorandum to the Survey’s Branch from Duncan C. Scott, 28 June 1915. LAC, RG 10, vol. 3069, file 254,090, C-11319. 11 Samuel Stewart Asst. Deputy and Secretary to Mr. Watson of Cavana and Watson, Orillia, dated 29 June 1915. LAC, RG 10, vol. 3069, file 254,090, C-11319. 12 Samuel Stewart Asst. Deputy and Secretary to Mr. Watson of Cavana and Watson, Orillia, dated 7 July 1915. LAC, RG 10, vol. 3069, file 254,090, C-11319. LHR to Chippewas of Rama First Nation, June 7, 2021 5 PRIVILEDGED AND CONFIDENTIAL On July 9th An order in Council was passed to authorize the removal of funds from the respective CTC trust accounts to pay for the Watson surveys.13 Rama members Alder York, J. B. Stinson and Thomas Williams helped in the survey.14 Clearly, the Department’s intention toward Chief Island, the largest and most valuable island in Lake Couchiching, was to parcel it out and sell it. Watson was permitted to “…sub- divide Chief Island into the number of lots and of such size that will best serve the purchasers who desire them for pleasure purposes.” The surveyor was allowed to use his own judgement regarding how he would subdivide the interior of the island.15 Watson held a favorable view of Chief Island. He reported: With regard to Chief Island this is the best situated island in the lake and ideal in every respect for subdivision into summer cottage sites.
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