Who Has Traded Cash for Creation? Approaching an Anishinaabeg Informed Environmental History on Bkejwanong Territory

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Who Has Traded Cash for Creation? Approaching an Anishinaabeg Informed Environmental History on Bkejwanong Territory WHO HAS TRADED CASH FOR CREATION? APPROACHING AN ANISHINAABEG INFORMED ENVIRONMENTAL HISTORY ON BKEJWANONG TERRITORY RICK FEHR A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF GRADUATE STUDIES IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY FACULTY OF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES YORK UNIVERSITY, TORONTO, ONTARIO DECEMBER 2010 Library and Archives Bibliotheque et 1*1 Canada Archives Canada Published Heritage Direction du Branch Patrimoine de I'edition 395 Wellington Street 395, rue Wellington OttawaONK1A0N4 OttawaONK1A0N4 Canada Canada Your file Votre reference ISBN: 978-0-494-80527-5 Our file Notre reference ISBN: 978-0-494-80527-5 NOTICE: AVIS: The author has granted a non­ L'auteur a accorde une licence non exclusive exclusive license allowing Library and permettant a la Bibliotheque et Archives Archives Canada to reproduce, Canada de reproduire, publier, archiver, publish, archive, preserve, conserve, sauvegarder, conserver, transmettre au public communicate to the public by par telecommunication ou par I'lntemet, preter, telecommunication or on the Internet, distribuer et vendre des theses partout dans le loan, distribute and sell theses monde, a des fins commerciales ou autres, sur worldwide, for commercial or non­ support microforme, papier, electronique et/ou commercial purposes, in microform, autres formats. paper, electronic and/or any other formats. The author retains copyright L'auteur conserve la propriete du droit d'auteur ownership and moral rights in this et des droits moraux qui protege cette these. Ni thesis. Neither the thesis nor la these ni des extra its substantiels de celle-ci substantial extracts from it may be ne doivent etre imprimes ou autrement printed or otherwise reproduced reproduits sans son autorisation. without the author's permission. In compliance with the Canadian Conformement a la loi canadienne sur la Privacy Act some supporting forms protection de la vie privee, quelques may have been removed from this formulaires secondaires ont ete enleves de thesis. cette these. While these forms may be included Bien que ces formulaires aient inclus dans in the document page count, their la pagination, il n'y aura aucun contenu removal does not represent any loss manquant. of content from the thesis. 1+1 Canada Abstract The turn of the twentieth century featured an accelerated effort on the part of the Department of Indian Affairs to assimilate Indigenous peoples across Canada. The effort was spearheaded by a chain of government bureaucrats who believed the best way to go about this activity was to convince Native bands to surrender their rights to land and resources, all in the name of progress. To fill the void left by the relinquishment of traditional lifestyles, the government pursued a double-pronged approach of agricultural and industrial initiatives at the community level. This study considers the effect these initiatives had in one particular community, the Walpole Island First Nation in Southwestern Ontario. In Anishinaabemowin, the community is Bkejwanong Territory, understood as "the place where the waters divide." Members of the community who sought to retain traditional cultural practices and tribal sovereignty met colonial and industrial encroachment on Bkejwanong with an equally forceful response. As a result, the study looks to the literal and metaphorical contested ground, as competing notions of place dominate this era. This study utilizes a methodology largely informed by some of the traditional chiefs and leaders on Bkejwanong. A complementary phenomenological approach to better understand the differing concepts of place at the turn of the century is also considered. The foundation of this study rests not only in place, but how differing cultures understood and perceived ecology and land use. IV Dedication This study is dedicated to the memory of two men. Joe White of Walpole Island and William Leonhardt of nearby Thomeyhurst may have been born and raised on either side of the Chenail Ecarte River, but both men fought for a shared sense of beauty in the world. Both men were subsequently persecuted. Chief White was jailed by the local Indian agent, for refusing to surrender his community's timber to non-Native mills, while Leonhardt was mobbed by a group of Canadians who took offence to his German surname, during the First World War. Both Joe White and William Leonhardt were well-known men in the community at the turn of the twentieth century, but their stories have since been relegated to near obscurity. In hindsight, one might well suggest there is little room for voices that speak against cultural and ecological destruction. After all, the dominant historical narrative is built on the transformation of cultural and ecological diversity into monocultural landscapes. These landscapes are considered to be places of managed success. But for Joe White, the transformation presented an increasingly silenced experience of the Anishinaabeg on Bkejwanong Territory. Similarly, William Leonhardt noted the great transformation muted the experiential qualities inherent in biologically diverse ecologies. Both men recognized the value and connection between old growth cultures and old growth ecology. The efforts of both men have not been in vain. Men like White and Leonhardt recognized that there would be nothing left for future generations if the colonial and industrial path followed by settler society continued on its course. v Acknowledgements This study would not have been possible if not for the generosity, assistance, and guidance of a core group of researchers, community members, institutions, family, and friends. Foremost among this group is my partner, Renee Mzinghziigo-kwe Elizabeth Bedard, whose faith and support in the work I began was evident and lasting from the moment I first entertained the idea. Renee has given selflessly her constant encouragement, patience, and guidance, all of which has been instrumental in the conception and completion of this dissertation. I am equally humbled and honored every day I continue to walk by her side. This work would not have been possible for the constant guidance provided by community members on Bkejwanong Territory. Both in the Nindawaabjig "Those who seek to learn" Heritage Centre and outside, community members who recognized the value of my contribution to the community's history have been there to help me when I needed it most. Among these people I recall visits with communifv Elder Elaine Jacobs as being a vital source of guidance. Although her words are not cited in this dissertation, her kindness and guidance was instrumental. On a recent visit home I noted ajar of salve to relieve made by Elaine next to my grandmother's bedside, Elaine's assistance is immeasurable in more ways than one. Even when they had more important things to do, community members like Dean Jacobs, Aimee Johnson, and Clint Jacobs frequently took time away from their lives to help me, some times for days at a stretch. Similarly, the community members who sat vi down either for formal interviews or informal conservations have provided a depth to this dissertation that would have otherwise been completely lacking. They include Chief Joseph Gilbert, David White, Louis Johnson, Kennon Johnson, Ralph Jones, Chris Riley, Eric Isaac, Steve Isaac, Brian Loucks, Reta Sands, Summer Sands, Kendall Sands, and Jared MacBeth. The efforts of Wyoming archivist Laurie McBeth have also contributed greatly to this study. Her enthusiasm and dedication to local history, along with the staff of the Lambton Room in Wyoming, and staff of the Wallaceburg Museum have all assisted with the formation of this dissertation. Without Laurie's assistance I would have never found Bruce McNeil and his family, descendants of William Leonhardt. Their assistance has also proved invaluable in piecing together aspects of the local history. My family and my friends are the people behind the scenes who provided a constant source of encouragement, and all too often a bed and a hot meal. My grandparents, Rosie and Murray Dierx, always provided me a place to stay. My mother Jeanne Thibeault and her partner Ed Babanin have also been there when I needed words of support or a place to stay. Similarly, to my father, also Rick Fehr, my sister Donna Lashmore and my niece Jessi and nephew Jacob, my uncle Bob and aunt Jill, my greatest thanks for all your help. My friends Mark Dickinson and Heather Shpuniarsky have been two sounding boards of ideas throughout this entire process, and I only hope to repay their patience and guidance in kind. Zenon Shpuniarsky and the late Sharon Shpuniarsky also offered me a room to stay and a hot meal when in Toronto. Thank you for your kindness and generosity. vii Finally, this dissertation would not have been possible without the solid foundation offered to me by my core committee members. My co-supervisors Dr. Joe Sheridan and Dr. David T. McNab, and committee members Dr. Raymond Rogers have been unfailing in their guidance and true in the path they pointed me to. I would also like to extend my gratitude to members of my examination committee, Dr. Dean Jacobs, Elder Jacquie Lavallee, Dr. Ravi de Costa, Dr. Paul Wilkinson, and Peter Timmerman. A special Chi-Miigwech (Thanks) to each of you in turn for the many hours you have dedicated to seeing me through. I would also like to acknowledge the staff of FES for putting up with years of dealing with me, they include Peggy McGrath, Teresa Masucci, Sharrieffa Sattaur, and Josephine Campanelli Zeeman. They would get along quite nicely with the staff of the Heritage Centre, who have also had years of experience with me, they include Suzi Isaac, Steve Isaac, Naomi Williams, Tyler White, Nolan Riley, Buddy Riley, Cam Williams, Paul Nahdee, Norma Altiman, LeRoy Altiman, and Kristin Kcwaquom. I would like to offer one final note of thanks to the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, whose support made this research possible.
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