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;< \ ~ \ ~~, BAT C 'R E VI A N AB A i J D H IS 'T 0 R Y 1850 - 1977

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By: Colleen Syr et,te Da r le... e vyrette Joseph Carbier >.:' (

Content s

Page 1 • · ...... Introduction 2. ·...... Description of ~ reaty 3a 39 ...... Robinson Huron Treaty, 1850 4. ·...... Land 20. · ...... The People 33. · ...... Economi c Development

~. ( 43. ·...... Admi ni s tr a tion 53. ·...... Recreation History of the Batc hewana Band

I ntro du cti on

The ma i n purpose of this book is to provide our ba d embers and other people a history of the BatchewanaBand . The Ba tchewana

Ba nd hi s tory is important not onl y t o ou r band members b t other people as we l l. I f other people know our background histor y they

will be ab l e to understand an d comm unicate with our ba d on a

better ba sis. It will be a benef i t to our own band me rb er s as t hey will have a better unde r s t a ndi ng and apprec iation f or their Reserve .

This histor y will inst all a p ri de in the ba nds heritage. An adequate aw areness of our past wi ll enable us to p lan for the f ture.

This projec t began June 28 , 1976 as s ummer empl oyment f or thr ee native s t u de nts of the Ra nki n Reserve . These stude nts are Colleen

Syrette, Darlene Syrette and J oseph Corbi ere . Darlene as paid t hrough the De partment of Indian Affairs . Colleen and Joseph were p aid through the Secretar y of state p ro gram . Colleen oes to

Mount s t . Joseph College . Darle ne and J o s e ph are stude ts at

White Pines Collegiate and Vo c ational School . The students will f inish employment by Septem ber 3, 1976. Bu t hopefully t e project will be c o ntinued by o t he r s t hroughout future years .

The s tudents obta ined i nformation by conducting i terviews with band me mbe r s and l ooki ng through the files. Pictures were also taken to capture a moment of hi story . Newspaper arti cles concerning the band were also used. Different organizations and people ere also conta cted , and informati on was obtained from them. T i s project was done at the Batchewa na Ba nd Administration and Cultural Centre.

The outline of thi s project consists of the f ollow:ng: Land, Popu' a tion, Adm inistration, Re creation, Economi c Development, Future Plans a nd Law Enfo rcements . Description of Treaty

On September 9, 1850, a treaty was signed between fif tee n Indian Bands and the Crown. The Crown was represented by an Hon. William Benjamin Robinson. The Indians were represented by their Chiefs and headman of th~ir respective tribes. Our Band, known as Batchewana was represented by Chief Nebenai go ­ ching.

The treaty with the 8atchewana Band is known as the Robinson Huron Treaty. The treaty itself is number sixty-one in Canada. The Indians gave up claim to the area from Penetanguishine to Sault Ste. Marie and Northwa rd to Ba tc he wa na Bay and inland to the twight of land which separated the Hudsons Bay Company area from Canada. In return for two thousand, one-hundred, and sixty pounds of money, the land controlled by the seventeen bands was surrendered. Six hu ndred pounds were to be paid annually to each band.

Since Chief Nebenaigoching was the fifteenth to sign the treaty, our reserve bears the number fiftee n in the Indi an Treaties of Canada. On the following pages is a copy of the Robinson Huron Treaty of 1850.

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COpy

ROBI~~SON TREATY

J[ade in the Year 1850

WITH TlIE

OJIBE\\IA INDI A~~ 3

. OF LAKE HUltON

CONVEYIXG CERTAIX LA~DS TO THE CRO\VX

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TIllS AGRt:BJ! ENT, made and tlllcn:d info thil ninth cIa!] of SeptemberJ in tht: year 0/ our Lord one Ihou.:s.1.n.d etghl hundred altd fifty, at Sau.lt Sit . .\[ ari~, in the Prol.'illce of Can ( ~da) bcLwcc7llhc lIonora&!e \V"ILLI.\~: BESJ.\:\US UOnI="SOS, 0/ tAe Ol1e part, ·Ol~ behalf of II EH. :\l.\n:A~T"" THE Qc LE~, and SHl="GC.\COCSC; NEDE.~.\IGO CHI~G, I\r:OKO{:Sf:, ~rI5nr:Qt:O:':G . \) T.\G.\. WI:,I~ I, SH.\ROh:ISHICK, . DOKIS, POX BKEO:::iU, \Vl:\D.\ \\"Tk:GO\\"I:\I~I, SfU, WEXAKE.:::>HICK, X.\ ~!'\SS.I:'\ , NAOQU.\C.\BO,. 'V.\H.\K LK t K, KrI"CIf EPO~51C t:=" !J;; P.\P.\S . \ I~:H':, \V.\G~~f.\KI, PAMEQtiOXAISHEU:-;C, Ch£efs; cmd JOltS Bl::LL, P.\Q\\"'\7CHl~1~I) ~L\~HEKY­ ASH, IOO\,"EKE::i15, \V.\QU.\CO~. t1CK, OClIE~K, :\h:TIGO~U X, \V.\T.\CHE\\".\=".\, ~{IXWAWAPEX .\SSE, SH~~ . \ OQt;o :. r , O:\I~GEGt;~, P.\:iA[S.5Y, P .\P.\S.\I:-;SE, .. AsHEWASEG.\, I(AGE:3Ul::W.l. WETU.:-."L, SII.\ \\'O~EnI. · ; and also Chief ~L\lS­ Ql1ASO (also Chiefs ~rli('}~ . \T.\) :\-IrsHO( liE1', and ~! ~h:I.:)J and :\L;3HOQt:ET70 and As.\ 'VASW .\~.\ y and PAWI:-3S, prin.cipal lTlen of the OJIHEW.\ b:Dr.\~ S , inllabiling and claiming the Eastern. and ,Vorthe rn .jhore~ uf Lake Huron, fro ,:: .Pcnclalt(Juishille to Sault Ste . .Ifarie, and thence to Batch eu'anauTt(J Ba!}, 1.1 :. I/le .VOl'lIlCI'I~ Shore oj Lake Superior; (o,} eih':r' lcilh the 1s la nris in tite sr.t·,;

La'·t~', oppusite Lo the Shores thereof, ar.d illland [0 the II ti~'ht of la nd 1,1.".~ :'( ,:;

,cpar~tc.t; · th~ Territory cocered by lhe citarLer of th.e 1I onora&! c III d5 0 1~ B!: i Company from Canada; as H'ell as atl l;nconecdcd lfllzds u' l hill the !il111'tS ,-'.: Canada ~rcst Lo u'hich the!) ha7:c fllL!J1'ust claim, of the other part, u:it1!fSSC: ;t:

:1'lJ.\T (or, and ill con.· i ~ ~ m~l ~' Lr

.\nd shou ld the ~:.l i d Chir- L..; and thrir re: pcl·tiyc Trihl's at ~ny time Q(':'l:-(' : ' dispose of ~ n y p:~rt or such r~~ ('r\' at i (l Il;O:, or of allY mi a "r:ll or other Y:.l i ~ : .. , . p:-oductions t h c: ' ~on, the Sln1 e \\' ill he 50 ~d or le 3. ~(' d at t ;l ir C' (( ll (':o;t L; ~' : .. ' Supcrintrn(.rr.t· -;~ ' n~r ' I 0I II J' ~ n'-\ ;T~i r5 for the time :)ci ;'~t or oth?r u;: . • bavin~ allthor:ty , 0 to Jo, ior their ~o l t.! bet cflt, .1 id to lilc h ~' . t aJvlnt.l;C, 3 (

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And the said \Villiam Benjamin Robinson of the nrst part, on beh::t1f ol H~r ~Iajesty and the Government of this Province, hereby promises and :lgre~s to make, or caU!30 to be made, the p ~ yments :\5 before mentio ned; :!nd f'Jrth ~r 0 ano ...: the s:lid Chiefs and t.heir Tribes the full a,nd free priv! c;~ t o hunt over the Territory now ceded by the-m, and to fic.:h in the W3.te ~ hereof, as they; :3,\"(­ heretofore been in the habit of doing; saving and exccptin'" such portions of the said Territory as may from time to time be sold or leaseci to individuals or companies of indil:iduals·, and occup' ed by them with the consent of the Pro­ .vincial Government. The parties of the second purt further promi3e and agree that they will not sen~ lease, or otherwi:se dispo~e of any portion of their Res(!rYations without the consent of the. Superintendent-Ger.cral of Indian Affairs, or other officer of li;';'c authority, being first 1 ad and obtained. :\" or will they .It any time hinder or pre\Oent persons from exploring or sC:lfchin,g for miner::? s, or other valuauie productions, in 2.ny part of the Territory- hereby ceded to Her ;"I~;esty, as before mentioned. The partics of the second part a iso f!6rce, that i case the Govern ­ ment of this Province should bcfore t he date of this ~~gr ceme nt have sold, or barga.ined to sell, any mining ocations, or other property, on the portiol. s of • he Territory hereby reserved for their use; then and in that ease such s:llc, or " promise of s~lc, ... hall be pcrfected by the GoYernment, if the p!lrties clD.irr:in:; it shall have fulfl iled a 1 the conditions upon which such 'ocations "'ere m:! e, and the amount accruing therefrom shall be paid to the Tribe to ',..- hom the Reserva­ tion belongs. The said ,\ illiam Benj amin Robinson, on behalf of Her 2'Iajesty, 'wh o desires to deal liber:!lly and justly with all he r subjects, further promises and o.grees, that should the Terri tory hcreby ceded \'Y the p:utics of the ~eco!ld pJ.r ~ :.~t "ny future period produ ce "uen c.n amount as wi '[ enable the Gover!llTIC:1t of this Province, ",yithout incurrin6 loss, to incrc2.se thc annuity hereby ~ccu red to then" then and in that case the sc..me shall be au~mcnted from time to tin c, provided that the amount paid to c:lch in di \'idual shc..ll :lot exceed t lC ::u m of OIlC' pour u Provincial Currency in a 1y one year, or such furthcr sum as Her ;"b.jcsty !I1 c..y be graciously plcased to order ; and provided further that the ntI!. ber of Irl{r:J.r~ :) entitled to the benefi t of this treaty shall am Ot~nt to two-thirds Ol their p rC' ~~:l~ number, which is fourtcen hU lHirc:.i and tWCllt. ~: - t\\"o , to en liLe them to chim the full benefit thereof. I\nd shoul

dinlinished in proportion to heir actual n~mbers. w The said \V illinm Benjam' n Robinson of the first part further agrees, on t h I"' part of Il r :\l ~ljc:3ty and the Governmcnt of t.his P'ovigcr. t L~!t in con:cq" (':; 'C of the Ind' ans inhilbi tinf; Frenc n Ri ,·cr and L .. : e :\ ip i,' :-' i Il~ !l:::.\"ill~ bC'C Or:1C p~Ht i~ ~ to th ~s tre[~ty, the fllr~hcr sum of one hundrer1 and ~i xt y P OU H( .:) Pro\' inci~l Curre,ncy sha 1 be paid in addition to the two thousand pOt~lld::; above mcntioncJ.

Schedule of ReRerva"£on3 made by the above-named sltbscribinq Chiefs and Pr'£n.cipal ~1[ en.

FIRST-Pamequo na is hcun~ and his Band, 3. tract of land to commence seven IniIes, from the mouth of t he I '~ i ver )'laganetawang, and cxtcndin'''' six m il es (,:l.' t. and west by t hree miles north.

St:CQ:\D--'Vagcmakc and his n:::.nu, ;). tract of land to commence at n pla('(' ,called Xeki<: k~hr.he .. hing, :-ix mile:; from cast to \\"('~t, Ly three mile'S in depth. TltlRD--Kltcheposk lss-('~an (by ro;pasn.im~c ) , from Point Grondine westward, ItX miti:'s inland, by two miies in front, so [.s to include the small La i<\. e )iessin­ as:sung-a tract. for themselves Ilnu their Bands.

FOURTu-'V'abakrkik, three miles front, ncar Shcbawenaning, by five milC3 inland, for hiIll ~'~lf and lbnu.

FIM'It---Nam3..':isill and NaoC1ua' ~abo and their Ba.nds, a trad of land com­ mencing ncar QacIoche, at the Hudson Bay Company's boundary; thence . westerly to the mouth of Spanish Hiycr; then four miles up the south bank of ·wd river,. and Ilcros::; to the place of beginning.

SrxTu-Shawenakishick and h'is Band, a tract of land now occupied by them, nnd contained between two rivers, called \Vhitefuh River, and. \Vanabit­ ueke, seven miles inland.

SEVExTH-'Yind:1.wtegawinini and his Band, the Peninsula. east of Serpent River, and formed by it, now occupied by them .

•. EIGHnr-Ponekeosh and his B3.nd, the land contained between the Rh7er llississ:.g:l and the River Penebewabecong, up to the first rapids.

NrxTH-Dokis and hi::; Band, three miles sqU:lre at \Vanabcyakoka.uIl J nca.r Lske Xipissing and the island near the Fall of Okick3.ndawt.

TE!\lTH-Shabokishick und his Band, from their present planting grounds on .J .Jlke ~ipissing to the Hud~on Bay Company s post, oix miles in depth.

ELEVESTH-T~~:_wiinini and his Band, two miles square at \Vanabitibin6, a .pl:u:c about forty miles inland, neac Lake :\ipi~sing.

TWELFTH-Keokousc and his Band, four m .iles front from ThessaI('I:1 Riv _r eastward, by four miles inland.

THIRTEESTH-~Iis~equ3.ng~ and his I3~nd, two miles on the lake shore east and west of Oga wa.minll.ng, by one mile inland.

FOURTEExTH-For Shinguacouse and his Band, a tract of land extending from ~b.skin o:16e B~y inclusive, to Partrid~e Point. above Gard2n River on t he front, and inland ten miles, throughout the whole distance; and also Squirrel Island .

. FtFTEE~TH-For Xebcnaigoching :lnd his B:lnd, a tract of land extending from 'Y:ln[J.bekincyunnung \\"e~ t of Gro' Cap to the boundary of t ~ c land3 ceded by the Chiefs ot L ~ke Superior, and inland ten miles throughout the vhole distance, ir.clt:d:::g Ihtchcwan ... ung Bay; and also the sma.ll island at Sa~lt Ste. ~tarie u.-ed by them as a. fishing 5tation.

If SIXTEEsTH-For Chief ).!ekis and his Band, re ~ iding at \Va. 'aquesing (Sandy . hland), a tr2..ct of bnd at a pbce on the main shore opposite tne hland; being 'he pb.c~ now occupied by them for r~idenceand cultivation, fo ur miles square.

SE\·};XTEE~TH-For Chief 11uckat[J.mishaquet and hi:s BJ.nd. !l. tract of ls.nd un the c,\!'t :sine of. the River Xai.shconteong, nra r Pointe aux I3a:-ils, three mil('s Ii(!u~re; and abo a ~ mall trart in \Vash~u\\"enega. Bay-now occupied by a p~\rt the Ba.nd-three mile::; ~q\larc.

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...... -- -- - , . Signed, 8eaicd~ unci deli vered Rt SalIlt (Signed) Ste. ~I~r ie J the d~y and yC1'.T first n.bovc written, in presence of-- \V. B. HO!J1N~O:·l. (Signed) his SUINGUACOUSI:;, + [L. S.l .UTLEY P. CooPF.n, mark. Ca.pt Rifle B,£g. his N EBEN'AlGOCHI:'lC, + {L. S.l GEORGE IRONSIDE, mark. , . S. I . Affairs. . his '. KEOX.OtJSE, + {L. S J , . F. lV. BALFOUR, mark. . Lieut. Riff.~ Brig. hi! l'YhSH&QUONGA, + (L. S.l .~LLAN MACDo~ELL. mark. his GEO. JOHNSTO:-l,. + (L. S.l Interpreter. m3rk. hi~ Lotus CADOTT. SHADOKESHICK, +. {L. S.l mark. . J. B ~ ASSIKINACK. his • • # • I DOKIS, [L. S.l . : + T. W" ICEAT!NG. mark. hi~ Jos. 'VILfSO:-l. t PONEKEOSH, + {L. 80] mark., I 'VINDAWF.GOWl:-iISI, T [L. KJ tn:ll'k. J his I SUA ~LNAKt;~It1CK , + [L. ~.j I llHu·k. his NAMASSIN, + tIl. S.] nHlrk. hi~ rMUCKA'~A l\11SHAQUET, + {I.. ~ .l lll;'\l'k.. hi:4 + {I •. ~.l murk. hi:i , . J\1:A.lSQUASO, + [I.. R] nUlrk. 1 his ~ ! NAOQUAGAHO, I (L. Kl , nlark. I his I \VAROK£KICK, + {t. K] mark. his ' KITCHErO S"!·:r. l·~ , + {L. So} / (by Pupasain ~ (" ) m:trk. I his I 'Y.U;t:MAKl-:, llh ~ · l r + J mark.

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• 3t:<":\... 7 I ' biB PAIIEQ UON AISBCU' NGj' + [L. S.] mark. , his ,~ "". JOHN BELL, + {L. S ~l ! mark. '. hi. PAQW ATCRININI, + [L. S.1 : mark. hia I MAsHEltYA S'B .. + lL S.} mark. his IOOWEKF-'1IS, + (L. s.] mark. his WAQUACOMICX, + [L. S.l mark. his MrsuOQ,Ul-:TT'), + [L. s.} , mark. his AsA. WASWANA.Y,. + (L. S.1 mark. his PAWISS, + (L. s.] . mark. his ~.- OCHEEK, + [L. s.} mark. his METIGOMIN, + [L. S.1 mark. his WATACBEWANA [L. s.] j + mark. his r-: MIldEWAW APENASSE, + [L. S.l . mark. . his ; SHENAOQUM, + [L. S.] mark. his ONINGEGUN, + (L. s.) mark. his PANAlSSY, + [L. S.] mark. ~ his PAPASAINSE, + [L. S.] mark. his ASHEW ASEGA, + [L. S.) mark. his ...t- KAoISHEWA WETU:-lO, I [L. S.] (by Baboncung) mark. r~~. -,

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i his l . } SUAWONEBlll, + {L. S.; mark.

~ Witness to signatures of MuckataMishaquet, l'vIekis, :\-lishoquetto, : .. I Au. Waswanay, and Pames- t 1: T. G. ~"DERSO X , S. I. A. :- ii We. B., HA.MILTOX, .; . W. Swpso:-r,

; ,. ALFRED A.. TP'O ~!!,;30X . t . ,i .

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, · ( Land

The original Reserve of the 8atchewana Band was estab­ lished September 9, 1850. A description of this as originally set down in the treaty is described as follows:

for Nebenaigoching and his band a tract of land (extending from Wanabekeneyunning west of Gros Cap to the boundary of lands ceded by the Chiefs of Lake Superior and inl and ten miles throughout t he whole distance including Batchewanaung Bay), and also the small i s land at Sault Ste. Marie used by them as a fishing station.

The original size of this reserve was approximately four hundred square miles. Nine years later it was surrendere d for sale by the members of the reserve if certain conditions were

met. It is questionable if th~se conditions were met. For

example: "for the surrender of 1 ~ 59, each family was to receive forty acres of land on the Garden- River Reserve", which is one clause of the treaty that was not carried out. The Crown's representatives were giving away land belonging to the Garden River BRnd, which they had no right to do. The Batchewa na families -that moved in accordance with the 1 859 document did not receive any la~d, therefor~ an important clause of the

treaty was not fulfilled. See th ~ . following page for a map

of the or~ginal size of the reserve, and also a copy of the surrender of 1859.

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• 5 Surrender of 1859 No. 91 ( A}

~e, the undersigned Chiefs and Warriors of t he

Batchewana~ng a n d Goulais Bay 8~nds of Indians acting f or and

on behalf of our respective Sands, do her~by, surrender and

yield up forever in trust Her Ma~t Gracious Majesty, The Queen, Her Heirs, and Successors in consideration of the conditions hereinafter set forth, the lands reserved for Us under the · Treaty ·rnade in t he year 1850 namely liThe tract of land extending · from Wanabekineyunning west of Gros Cap to the boundary of the

·lslands ceded · to~ by the Chiefs of Lake Superior and inland ten . miles throughout the whole distance including Batchewanaung.

The conditions of the pre ~ ent surrende~ are as follows: 1. We retain t he small islands at the Sault ste. Marie reserved in 1850. 2. The tract now ceded to be sold for our benefit s and

the in~erest accuring t heref rom c.u oe annually divided among us. l. Each family as at pre~ent constituted to receive

forty acres on the Garde~ River Reserve for which a writing establishing the individual right of occupation will be given. 4. Any family so desiring may purchase eighty acres of land now ceded at the up set price and on the conditions established by the Government. S. Twelve hundred dollars ($1200.00) are to be divided among the bands surrendering on the approval of t his treaty by "His Excellency", The Govenor General in Council. 6. Such approval to be the final ratification of t he Treaty. 7 • . Such of us as have made improveme n t s on the ceded land ( to receive the value of such improvements whe n appraised .. "- ' , by a competent surveyor. / In t~ken we have hereto set our names and mark after the Treaty had been duly read over and explaine d to us this ninth d~y of June, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-nine at Gras Cap Lake Superior.

Joseph Nebenaigoching Mazhukeynosh Edward Nebenaigoching Louisan Nebenaigoching Mekahdoawahnahya Wahbezhukiva Ahpaukwaush Lausive Nebenaigoching Eleseis Biron Robert Waubooze Kanaush pierre Lasage

Witnesses to the above signatures:

R.T. Pennefather - Supt. General Geo. Ironside Robert Law Ogilvy f. Assikinack - Interpreter

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...... f> " • - : . , , ' . : .... '.' .:" ~ . ,I ,' . ' • • • : " •. • ',. ',' ', ,.' ...... :- .. " " ,.. ...: ...... : ...... " .. ~ : ... When the r eserve was surrendered for sale, all the parcels of land weren ' t sold in 1859. The original reserve was sold over a number of years to a number of people. In 1965 there

were twenty-one p~rcels of unsold land throughout the area. One of these parcels was where the Haviland Highway is now located. It was used by the Government far thirty-nine years as a highway before being sold in 1974. It was srild for sixty­ five thousand dollars (S65,OOO~OO) and was approximately five acres in size. ' The following is the list of unsold surrendered lands:

Plan of survey dated March 4 t 1864. TOWNSHIP OF FENWICK - Plah of survey dated March 4, 1864 5 t of NE t of Section 23 fractional SE * of Section 20 5 , of the SW t of Section 35 A 2 acre strip in the NW t of Section 22 between the north 82 acres - Patent No. 18975 - 2/3/1920 and the south 80 acres Patent No. 13362 31/12/1902

TOWNSHIP OF FISHOR fractional SW * of Section 25 fractional part NW t of Section 16 NE corner of SW *of Section 15

TOWNSHIP OF HAVILAND - Plan of survey by Thomas Byrne dated October 5, 1898. N! of NE ! of Section -3? Island off SW * of Section 12

TOWNSHIP OF KARS - Plan of survey dated September 9! 1863. N ! of NE of Section 27

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TOWNSHIP or LOY - Plan of survey by Thomas Byrne da ted November 2, 1898. fractional NE t of Section 9

TOWNSHIP OF PEN NOFATHER - Plan of survey dated July,1861 N i of NE of Section 2

TOWNSHIP OF VAN KANGUET - Plan of survey dated June 25, 1867. N t of NE t of Section 19

APAQVOSH TOWN PLOT - Plan of survey dated April 25, 1908. lot 3 Hand and Patrick Streets Lot 41 Beatrice Street Lo 't 42 Beatrice street lot 43 Beatrice Street Lot 44 Beatrice Street

TOWNSHIP OF DENNIS - Plan of survey dated September 10, 1863. Fractional SE *of Section 14 Fractional NW t of Section 23

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' ~ ~ , , . ' ~ ...... , ...... ;.:...... e' •• • " • ••• • :;- ." J . ,". ". '~. . .' . ".~ ...... -. • ,'!' ... . ~ • .' ...... ", ' . .. ' Goulais Bay Indian Reserve 15A

For twenty years after the 1859 land s urrender, the Batchewana Band held land title to only Whitefish Island.

Since some of the band members, when the criginal reserve was surrendered didn't move to Garden River an d the ones that did were not given lan d titles , the Council issued to the Crown on January 8 , 1979, $ 365. 20 (three hundred sixty-five dollars and twenty cents) of band funds to purchase back Gaulais Bay land.

Approximately one thousand actes w~re ~ur~hased at Goulais Mission, with band funds, for this pur-pose.

On the following page is a map of what is now known as Gculais Bay Indian Reserve 15A.

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0::. if ~ . /6;) . / 60 ~ /60 ~ IS8 ;- ! .

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~- -.... - ~ ...... • f o . . .. Whitefish Reserve 158

Whitefish Island was an important fishing station at Sault ste. Marie, and was retained for Batchewana Band members in the treaty of 1850. It was kept as reserve land in 1859 when the rest of the reserve was originally surrendered. But in 1902 Whitefish Island was expropriated by three railway

companies. The three comp~ni8s were Algoma Central Railway, Pacific and Atlantic Railway Company and Hudson Bay Railway Company. Only one company used the land but not extensively.

This island was used ~s a research and historical site of ~arly Indian lribes. On the following page is a map of Whitefish Island and where artifacts have been found. Through the archeological research of Thor Conway, occupation of Whitefish Island has been traced to 200 B.C.

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. 13. . , ."' '''. ' . \ ... . . ' • !,.' ; ." , :' • • ... . " ... : ; '" '" . :

( Goulais Bay Reserve 15C

When Whitefish Island was expropriated, the Indians living there had to find a new home. The year of this expro­ priation, 1902, Indians living on Whitefish Island were given five acres of land on Gros Cap. This land was known as Goulai s Bay Indian Reserve 15C. In 1956 Goulais Bay 15C was sold, for ,the amount of $3600.00 (three thousand, six hundred dollars). Refer to map ,below. ()i " • Mc(Jle \\\ F1.,-)-+.=-+--+-i-t---iit-r--r- " {1 0 ~1 -+-J 2.-+--+-=--+--+--+-~:\tTf-'T-r::

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Ran~i n Indian Re serve 150

In the year of 1939, at the request of the 8atchewana Band members, app r oximately three thousand seven hundred and s i xty-' three point nine acres was purchased with band funds from a local real estate fi r m. Also included i s a strip of land along st. Mary's River at t he bottom of Fournier Road. In 1949 eight and a quarter more acres were purchased North of Silver Cre ek in lots three and four. In 1949 fifteen point three acre s of Rankin was sold at fifteen dollars an acre to a Mrs. _Anna Hugbes e On July 8, 1952 lands wh i ch now constitute Rankin Reserve 150 was established as an Indian Reserve by Canadian Legislati on.

In 1966 Band Members voted against selling land for a by-pass through the Reserve. The government wanted to purchase

the land for one hundred dollar~ an acre of which there wa s thirty point eight five acres. Th~ members found this offe r much to low. -But on June 12, 1969 after much negotiations the thirty acres of land was sold for forty-five thousand dollars to the city of Sault Ste. Marie.

The reserve i s bounded on the South, West and East by the city of Sault St e. Marie. On the remaining North Side is the Garden Rive r Indian Reserve. Following is the map of Ra nk i n Indian Re serve No. 150.

I ; " Ji" ... .. ' , ' ,. ' ' ...... - .. ,

. 15 . · I"'!'!tl

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~ ~ ru n"l ,., > I m c.,.'\ Z , :> 0 O ·I: m ... ' Obadj i wan Re s erve 15E Th e Obadjiwan property of approximately a hundred and fifteen acres wa s m~de into a Reserve~ December 6, 1966 . It is known as the Obadjiwan Reserve 15E . The management of thi s land had been tra nsferred to the Department of Indian A~fairs and Northern Deve l opment by t he Oepartment of Tr ansportation and Communication, ]snuar y 23, 1964 who had used it as a lighthou se location. This lighthouse, situated in . the S.E. quarter of Secti on 26, Herrick To wnship, is known as the Corbeil Point Lighthouse. Originally the land wes part of the reserve of the 1850 treaty which the Batche wana Indians surrendered f or sale on June 9 , 1859. The Corbeil Point Lighthouse site, comprising 115 and four- fif ths acres, was set apart f or the Dep a rtment of Ma rine and Fisheriers for lighthouse pu rpo se s by order-in-council P.C. dated May 29, 1874. When t he land was no longer required by that Department of Transportation, it was returned to this department by order­ in-council P_C~ January 23, 1964, that s et these lands apart f or the use a nd benefit of the Batchewa na Ba nd as a rese rve to ·be known as Obad jiwan I~R. J o~ 15E. In view of the forego ing the lighthou se in question is s itua ted on reserve land and is the proper t y of t he Batchewana Ba nd.

17. \----+------.----~ .------., I- t~ A a , i ~. /r.l' - /60-'!-- '-: I :..., . " . . l . . '. . ..J: ~ . , ~ ---13 • .~. t· ., if) /'<."0 ~ I /60~ ., , ""' , ~

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. 19 ~ THE PEOPLE .. ~ , : . " : . . ~ ' • • ', '~'"Io , \ , ' .. ~~ ' ... " ,'.. . . ", :...... : ' :" ' , ...... ~ : . .. .. • '" ~" . .• ...... ~ ...... ,t .• ' . :, ' .. " .... :~ ...... '{':' .' . As of August 1 , 1976 there were 423 Batchewana Band membe r s , consisting of 221 males and 202 females . Of these 268 were over 18 and 155 under 18. In contrast there were, in 1$57 only 237 Band members in all.

o As of 1976 the oldest band member in Goulais Bay was Joseph Collins, born in 1893, and the oldes t on the Rankin Reserve was Peter Syrette, born in 1899 . The largest family on Rankin Reserve is EI~ Jordan and hi~ wife Madeline. His family cons i sts of twelve children who are: Mary Robert Cathy Georgina Marjorie John Beatrice Donald Rose Anne Bernadine Elizabeth Richard The following statistics indicate the number of Indian people at the Batchewana location and in the Sault Ste. Marie area just after the surrender of the original reserve. Indians of Batchewana Census Men Women Children Total 1857 14 17 24 55 rf 1858 13 18 18 49 ;r," ~ .I ---:..., 1859 14 20 20 54 , .. :s 0 1860 15 16 10 41 ;~:,

0 , -"""; Indians of Sault Ste. Marie :,"f"-....

r 1857 53 57 72 182 c- 1858 40 40 72 152 I ~ 1859 46 50 77 173 " :"'" 1860 31 34 70 135 " On the following pages are paylists for annuity

payments sho\.nng 0 a census of the Batche\'lana Band members

.20 .. 0 o 0 . : . .. ~ .. . , ...... - ". . Toronto Archives: ~ , September 10, 1850 (Sessional Papers) ' " ...... ' ,.. ' ...... ~. ' ...... '> ~: .' :-' Voucher 'No. 3 ($5.00-per person) .. t Nebenaigoching's Band

l Name Men. ~Jomen Children Nebenaigoching 2 2 7 Casaquatung 2 1 3 Aquadosh (by. Chi e.f ) 1 1 1 Ochayoss 1 1 2 l-1uckataquioma (by Chief) 1 3 5 Kitchenkewaise 1 1 Otawa 1 Shawonegaboa 1 1 4 Mishekaaake 1 1 Kervetakishick · 2 1 Ogabakashigo 2 2 · Najoon 3 4 1 Moatosiuoqua (by Chief) 1 Wahbeshugua 1 2 2 ~ Odashegishickoqua 2 2 ( Shawanekeshick (by Chief) 1 2 1 Oshkineway (by Chief) 3 2 2 ., JohnBantiste (by Chief) 1· 1 ,.I.. Matrvaikeshick (by Chief) . 1 2 3 Shegawaw (by Chief) 1 1 5 Kivitakishick (by Chief) 1 Opitchise (by Chief) 1 Odishquaaubit 1 Cabaadonuug 1 Sharvenebenais (by Chief) 2 4 6 ·Eshquagonabe (by Chief) 1 2 2 Kikamindemonia (by Chief) 3 Ogabaonequa 2 1 1

21 •

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I Name r·1en Women Children

'l Joseph Wah boose 1 .,.J 5 Pisheust oguon 1 1 5 Kishickoguaqua 2 Baptisle vlaboos e 1 1 2 Francois 1 1 2 :Mishkiash 1 1 1 -do-s-Brother-in-laws (by Misleiash) 1 Aquagik 2 3 1 Poqutchemini (by Chief) 1 1 3 Iosai 1 1 3 John Corbiere (by Chief) 1 . 1 2 George Apequash 1 3 1 Onageshinse (by Chief) 1 Obeda 1 1 ,, "''''' ~ '. Louison 1 1 2 Mdelaire 1 Paul Daisy 1 Total: 51 + 57 + -7) = 187 ~'-' OttaV\ra. Archives:

',' " " ~ . : , .. . : ., ~ • I ' .. ' .' ." • • ••; " , _. ' ,6' · " ' . ' . j , • r Payl:lst:

Name No. in Family Chief Nebenaigoching 3 J .B. Aflgnrodosh 2 Louis Wahtap 5 Angcique Boyer g Francis Wahtap 6 Mr. Corbiere 7' Cazash 1 Mrs. McKay & Robert 2 Pierre Belleau 1 Mani Boisenaul t · 1 Mr. Lion Boisenault 7 Paul Mazia ·4 Mrs. Lafond 1 Angelique McK ay 9 Edward Nebenaigoching 9 Mrs. Vlahboose 8 Grant Family 4 Ant Tete Blanche 9 Pierre Le s age 6 Mezgram Lesage 14 Louis Daveun 6 Julie Daveun 2 Michel Tete Blanche 1 Mrs. Rivsh 2 Geo Apanaquash 6 Peter Ahbahjrgance 5 Cdushquahahit 2 Nohchulangi,zik 2 Quant 3 Kewahlahjizik 2 ' Quahquahuaizance 3 Pev/shuvstigvlon 4 Noolscis 6 Michel 'Boyer 9

22. ~ . .. ' . '" .. ' .. ,~ ...... , , .. ' " . ;.. ~ .. :'" .... " .. . , ".: .. ' ...... : .. !. • ' . .. .:'1: . .~ .. " ',. No. in Family' (" \ John Be Corbiere 10 E. Boisenaultsj child 1 Angelique Biron 3 Tahbuhdai 2 Joe fvTartell . 2 Thomas Sayers 3 Joe Sayers Family 3 James Sayers 6 Ylrs. Chales rvIcKay 5 Ant. Riel 6 Wido\'l Riel 2 Ben Ri el's Famiy 2 J.B. Pervshuvtigwon 5 Ben Boyer 7 Wahbizizquoi 1 Susan Mouchoir 1 Frank r.1az ia 1 Peter Behyrgrosh 4 Peter IvTartell 4 Ant Boyer 10 John No l in 5 Mrs . R. Nolin 4 Susan Nolin 3 William Bell 4 Ant Sumebb 2 .. August Corbiere 3 Total: 259

J

22a

•&"J ..

/ (

. . ', , ~ . Archives of Ontario; Irvings Papers Paylist of Robinson Treaty Annuities ; 1890 " , ' . .' , , . ' 'Batchewana' Band; · paId at Gard'en River, sault and Lake Superior f ( Names Men Women Boy.s Girls Chief Nabenaigoching 2 1 J.B. Ahquahdosh 1 Louis Wahtap 3 1 Angelique Boyer 1 2 Wanivis v'lahtap 1 2 3 1 Mrs. McKay & Robt. 1 1 John Corbiere Family 1 1 1 Pierre Belleau 1 Mani Boisenauk 1 Paul Mazin 1 1 1 3 Mrs. Leona Boesenaulk 1 2 3 Mrs. Lafond 1 Angelique McKay 4 5 Edward Nebenaigoching J 2 2 2 Wm. Wah boose 2 3 3 Grened Family 2 2 Pierre Lesage 3 1 2 Pete Blauche 3 2 3 1 Mezigsrin Lesage 3 3 6 2 Louisa Daveau 1 5 1 Julia Daveau 2 Michel Tete Blauche's Dgt. 1 Miskrosh 1 1 George Apahquash 3 3 Peter Ahbahjigane 2 5 Udushquahbet 1 1 Notochaklanyijik 1 .4- Iuont 2 1 Kewahlahyijik 2 1

23 .

~ . . ' .. , . Wom en Boys Gi r ls , ,. Names Men . '.----- " , Iuahquahwezance 1 1

~urshew shquoni 1 1 1

1 Nooksau 1 ...I:- 3 1 Michel Boyer Family 1 4 3 J.B. Corbiere 1 1 5 3 Lue Bossewawk Child 1 Angeline Biron 1 2 Tahbahdak 2 1 3 Joe Martell 1 1 1 Thomas Sayers 1 1 1 Joe Sayers Family 2 1 James Sayers 1 1 3 3 Mrs. Charles l'!cKay 3 2 Aut Riel 1 1. 4 1 Widow Riel 2 Ben Riel 1 1 J.B. Pwshewshgum 1 1 2 1"- Ben Boyer 1 1 3 4 ( Susan Mouchoir 1 Peter Betyigigwosh 1 1 3 1 , Peter Martell 1 1 2 Aut Boyer 1 3 2 3 John Nolice 1 1 3 2 Mrs. Raymond ~T iron 1 1 2 Susan Nolan 1 2 William Bell 1 1 1 3 Aut Jarrett Jr. ,1 1 August Corbiere 1 1 2 1 Louis Corbiere 1 1 1 Peter Boyer 1 1 3 August Nolan 1 1 2 Nodusguahabit from 32 1 1 1 \tim. Inahquahuezunce 1 1

/ ~- TOTAL 72 + 81 + 74 + 58 = 285 ,( (

, . , . . .. ". " 23a • Ottawa Archives

Paylist; Batchewana Indian Band .-. . 1894

( Narn~ Men Wome n Boys Girls

Chief Nebenaigoching 2 · J.B.' Ahguahda sh 1 Louis Wahtap 3 1 Angelique Boyer 2 2 2 1 ., Francais Vlahtafo 2 3 .l.. John Corbiere 1 1

lI~s . McKay & Robt. 1 1 Marie Boisenault 1 Leon Boisenault 2 2 4 Paul Mazia 1 1 2 3 1 Lafond .l.. 1 Angelique McKay 2 3 1 2 1 Edward Nebenaigoching ..; 1 2 1 - Mrs .• Wah boose 4 2 Grant Family 1 2 Ant. Tete Blanche 2 3 2 1 Pierre Le sage 4 1 1 Miziqur Lesage 4 4, 1 4 Louisa Deveau 5 Julia Deveau 2 Michele Tete Blanche Dgt. 1 Meskuosh 1 George Apuhquash 3 4 Peter Al shuhglhunce 2 3 Colusquahbib 1 Nohchuldahguzin 1 1 Quont 1 Kewahlakyingish 2 1 Puoshnubgon 1 1 Nooksair 1 1 3 Micheal Boyer 2 4 1 J.B. Corbier e 2 J 4 \Vrn. Boisneault 1 Angelique Biron 1 2

24. Name Men 'Women Boys Girls

Tubukdair 1 1 2 1 Joe Martell 1 1 1 1 ~( Thomas Sayers 1 1 1 Joe. Sayers Family 2 2 James Sayers 1 1 3 4 Mr. Charles l\1cKay 2 3 1 Ant •. Riel 1 1 3 1 \'Jidow Riel 2 Ben Riel Family ,.. J.B. Pawshuwstigwon 1 1 2 1 Ben Boyer 1 l ' 4 3 Susan Mouchoir 1 Peter Behepzeguosh 1 1 3 3 PeterrJIastete 1 1. 2 Ant. Boyer 1 3 2 3 Ina Nolan 1 1 4 2 Mr. Raymond Miron ' 1 1 2 Susan Nolan 1 2 (~-. \ Wm. Bell 1 1 1 2 Ant. Bunett 1 1 1 August Corbiere Family 2 1 Louis Corbiere 1 1 1 Peter Boyer 1 1 2 2 Sue Cdushquahbih 1 r 1 vim. Quahguahawezane 1 1 1 Charles Duvea.u 1 1 2 2 J.B. Jordain 1 1 2 Joe Tobobending 1 1 1 1 John McKay 1 1 1. J •.B. Sumette 1 · 1 1

Michel Sumette 1 .L'"' 1 John Manh 1 1

TOTAL 76 + 89 + 70 + 60 = 390 24a. t \ , ... Since people were living at Batchewana and Goulais ~{ts si- on . before the si gn ~ _ ng of the treaties . t here .. 1.S_. no. v'ay of , knovJing -who the first settlers on the new reser ves we re. It does' appear that

the first person to move t.o the Rankl.n Reserve ~las T,\Tilliam Boyer Sr OJ , probably in 1944 Mo st of the people who moved to t he Rankin location ~ had previously resided i n Garden River. - The following table i ndicates t he changing residence pattern of Batchevrana, Band members over t he t en year period 1967 to 1976. Reserve 1967 1976 Goulais Bay 15A 120 g Rankin 15D 175 245 Batchewana Village 38 31 Garden River 38 12 Other (not on Reserve) 115 127

In the past members of the Batchewana Band 1ere employed in fishing, logging, trapping and gli ding. These traditional - occupations have not complet ely disa Jp eared: presently there are members of t he Band in Bat.chewana, Goulais Mi ssion and Rankin who do commercial fishing and guiding. However, today members of the band are involved i n a broader r ange of employment.. Some are employed at Algoma Steel, Abitibi and as construction workers . Others work at the Veneer ~lill in t he Reser ve' s Industrial Park and at Fecteau's and J obst Bros. Stil l others are employed at the 'Reserve's Day Care Centre or Admi nis-:ratl.on Building. ~1ore will be said of these new employment opportunities in the following chapter.

The Rankin Reserv~ Subdi vi si o~ Fourteen years ago there were 24 homes on the Rankin Reserve, but of this numbe r only half had electricity. Now there , are 60 homes) all ~dth electricity, and thos e homes in our new s ubdivision have access to city water and sewe r ser vi ces.

In 1966 our Band Council, in an effort to ~ mprove the .. - environment and t o further the we ll-being of our members, commiss- ioned the finn of Proctor and. Redfer n to dra~ up a plan for the Rankin Reserve.

25. The aims were firstly to i mprove living conditions on the Re s erve and secondly t o generate · revenue for the band by leasing land vlhen the second line by-pass was extended through the Reserve. , As a result of this study, and with the approval of the band ,( members, our res idential area was established in the western corner of the Reserve. The size of the lots made it economically feas ible , . to extend water and sewer services to the subdivision.

The Fede,ral Department of Indian Affairs approved the sub­ division plan and financed and built the water and sewer lines. In addition Indian Affairs financially. compensated the city when they deepened their lines in order that the reserve lines could be · connected. There are now 40 homes located in the -new subdivision area • . Language The majority of the Batchewana Band members speak English. However, a great many of the older members still retain the Ojibway language. Some members speak French, and a few understand Latin, which at one time was used in church services. ' Religion The majority of band members are Roman Catholic and a consider­ able number are Anglican. Some do not participate in any form of 'Christian religious service. A Roman Catholic Church, called The Lady of Sorrows, is situated on Goulais ~dssion Reserve 15A. It was built by Bishop Kohler 115 to 118 years ago. There is an annual procession every suw~er in Goulais r~_ssidn to celebrate the building of the church. On November 4, 1970 Father Lynch held mass at the Rankin Community Hall for the first time. All Services, including Baptisms and First Conununions, \Vere held in the Conununity Hall until the Admini'stration Building was completed in November 1975. Now ma s s is held every Sunday at 11:30 am in the library of the Administration Building. Following are the names of children baptized at the Communi.ty Hall from 1970 to 1973. From 1976 on this service took place in the new Administration Complex. (

26. I - November 9, 1970 Dawn Elizabeth Boyer­ December 6, 1970 ~nnett e ~ay Boyer r~ay 23, 1971 Tammy Lynn \.Taboose September 10 , 1972 James Augustin Syr ette October 22, 1972 Scott Mitchel Syrette Janua.ry 7, 1973 Kenneth William J ohn Boyer January 21, 1973 Michelle Anne Syrette October 24, 1976 Jennifer Lynn Syrette July 3, 1976 Rachelle Carbiere 1976 Eugene Syrette December 6, 1977 Kevin Roy Syrette July 10, 1977 Misty Anne Agawa List of children who participated on June 1, 1975 in First Communion. Serina Brydges Darryl Corbiere Linda Anne Robinson Darren 1:'[i1son

June 6z 1976 -June 1977 Lana Jones John Carbiere Paul Jones Michelle Carbiere Lana Boyer Fred Robinson Paul Johnston Lee Anne Sayers

Education IN 1973 awards we re created by the School Committee for student c with good attendance and perfect attendance. It was broken up into two categories for high school students and elementary students. High school students wo n rn.onetary prizes according to attendance. Elementary students won money for perfect attendance. Also f or having perfect attendance for a complete month the student received a certificate acknowledging this and his/her name was add ed to a draw for a bike of their choice.

27. High school Attendance 1973 - 1974

Student ~ . . . ..' Prize .. Days Absent Brenda sayers $50.00 1 Joe Carbiere 30.00 3 Joe Syrette 10.00- 9 John' Sayers 10.00 . 10 All students of \m.i te Pine.s Collegiate and Vocational School. Perfect Attendance in Elementary School Donna May Sayers $10.00 Manitou Park School Pamela Sayers 10.00 Manitou Park Sehool Linda Boyer won the bicycle dravl and gift certificate. High School Attendance 1974 - 19 75 Valerie Syrette White Pines $50.00 3 Joe Corbiere White Pines 30.00 4 Vincent Syre~te Alexander He nry 10.00 7 Keith Nadj iwon White Pines 10.00 7 •..., 1 Brenda sayers White Pines 10.00 12

l'lendy Sewell Alexander Henry 10.00 7 ·;>.~

1975 - 1976 \'lendy Sewell Alexander Henry 60.00 Ii p. ") Brenda Sayers vihi te • lnes 30.00 ~ - 1 Joe Corbiere ~l1ite Pines 20.00 )2 Attendance in Elementary School Jennifer Sayers 10.00 Donna IvIay Sayers 10.00 Jim . Sayers 10.00 All of Manitou Park School Pamela Sayers 10.00 Rosalie Sayers 10.00 Michael Robinson trIon the bicycle. 1976 - 1977 Rosalie Sayers 100.00 Perfect Attendance "larren Sayers 15.00 Joe . Carbiere ,. 15.00 Brenda Sayers ·15.00 Wendy Sewell 15.00 Elementary School Attendance 1976 - 1977

Pamela Sayers Perfect Attendance Donna May Sayers Perfect Attendance Darlene Corbiere and Leslie Sewell won the bicycle draw.

The Reserve has a variety of Local Ta.lent involving musical talent. Some people from the Reserve play in bands and sing. But there are a lot more members of the Reserve who play -musical instruments for a hobby. -A lot of Local Talent was brought out ' in the Variety Show which was held December 1974, at the Rankin Hall. Many of the band members also do bead work and carving. Talent is also shown -in the -composition of poetry. The following poem which was written by Lorraine Boyer appeared in the Teen New'sletter on January 17, 1975.-

It entered my head a time or two Two get my name in the Rankin News I tried everything, dOWl1 to sticking out my tongue I tried politics, but I'm much too young. I tried to skate, I tried to swim I did my part in everything , In school each day I did my best But if I'm gonna pass, It's anybody's guess. I scrapped and scratched to do something smart But those news people didn't hc..ve no heart I bought new clothes, some really flashy pants _ Nobody even laughed when I wore them to the dance So I took a drink and talked real loud Nobody even noticed, I was just one of the crowd So I'm writing this poem that I'm sure they can use To get my name in the Rankin News$

Ronnie Syrette composes poems also. Ron's poems have previously appeared in the Indian News, receiving across Canada coverage. Following are a couple of his poems. ! INDIAN AIID PR am 1 t I ' . I ' Just another Inf~an off the reservation I Too much \-Jine .not enough educatioo. ' Couldn't keep my hands off other peoples cars I finally ended up behind these bars.

Not ooly cars did I steal i, I SanetLr"l8S I c ouldn't even afford a nea l~ t This is my third tiLl e I've been in jail Chly cnce was I allo\-:ed out on bail.

I can still picture ny ~othe rs eyes, filled with tears VJhen the judge made up his l:lind to sive me t'Wo years. There ~as only a few words my father had to say Son, maybe you'll c OQe back a ' better man some day.

Two years is nothing conp~red to the other nen ~o are dODlg life in this here pen . Haybe now I'll get a goqd education For I'll n eed cne 'When I g o back to OJ reservaticn. I've learned cany things' since I've be'en in here Ole is that you livc' a life of fear. Becau3e you don't r C3.lly knm.J ,,",ho your ~(;mies are So for insur~~ce you carry a knife or a bar.

In order to get b~ck to my reservation I must fo1101.-[ t he whi te mans way of rehabilitation. , There is c~ e trJns they could never change in me A Indian \{hich I'll always be ?roud to be •••

Rennie Syret te Ojibwajl' Naticn

-' ': 0 . 0._

.30t! . '. ~ • ' 0' ,. :

- The Indian, ~ho is he? . Ulee a proud and mighty rac'e, today he's. forgotten, . put Ctl a -reservation, given a set of rules he must fo110'W, branded by the dominent society as a drW1k, welfare bW:l a.nd dependen t en by the White Govern ~ent, so it cay seeQ. When ever he the L'1dian n8eds mcney, he \-iri tes the governnent and if the goverr'fJ ent see's fit, he c:w.y send him a portioo of what he askes for. The 'White governr~ent th.l!lks we n.eed hin to survive in this 'World~ His fancy clothes,. side-walk, televisions sets, stereo outfits, end just about ev~rything else he cherishes. He has even built a place to put His people in, if they are of no use t o him. Training schools, reformitories, Lae~tal institutions, old nge hanes and peni ten tiaries . The Indian long ago, never dre3.0ed of such places l ike thes€, he vas happy he was free. :aut that ~Jas all before the ccm.i.ng of the ",hite oan. \lIth him he br-ought all his material things, :naney and greed. tie tricked the Indi~ into sellL~6 hir lW1Q ~or b~ad3 and trinkets. He polluted our lil inds ~i th lilSllor. He thsrl stllck the L"di2..rl c..'1 reservatif;ns , forc(;d our c, ~'1ildrE-.'1 to take Hi s educatioo, 2Ild if ve didn't fol.bowrlis law , we \.i~re judged by His people and. put away in His i.n sti tutions. ( ·I've sat back no\.1 for t\Jenty three years now ,md seen what the Indian has been trying to do for ~1iJ: self. He tries to make the dominent one, ncnour their treaties they r.~de with the L1di~, he tries to m3.ke kno\..n, that we are equal in eVery W3.y to the f ' dominent one ~'1d above ~ll, he tries to cake ~"o~n that we are : : just as hwnan, and h2.ve· just .:lS r!1uch Right s a s he h3.s . Ve are not drunk 5, You l?_be~led us drUfJ.ks , J8 ·~re nat \.Jelf are' bums, you hirer your o~n p~o?l e before you giv? the L~dicn ~ job. It's time we t na Indian, stc.nd up ::!....l1d be recobnized as people. Ve have scen enough of ~r,~t the ~l hite ...>ocie:tl :ldS dene to i· ·other Earth and all its crli.ldren, its dlSgusting •• " ... ' I ! Roonie dyre t te t . Ojibway Nati on

31 e The follo~ring paragraphs describes come of the personal ac . comp~ishments of indi'vidual band members of the Rankin R~ s erve . In 1966" Miss Velma Robinson . was chosen to represent Al goma at Expo "67". The following is the article which appeared in the paper describing her: . Miss Velma Robinson, a medicaL secretary at the Group Health Centre is Algona's only hostess for Expo's "67"~ In response to circulars sent to the Indian Affairs Branch Offices Velma applied and was interviewed last t-1arch in Port Arthur along with many other girls ranging in age from 1$ years to 25 years of age. Velma is of the Ojibway Tribe and was born in ' Garden River 24 years ago. No vi she liv~s at 378 Frontenac Street with her parents (her father is a retired Abitibi employee) and five sisters and ' three brothers • ., She has been on the staff at the Group Health Centre for over 2 years, but will be leaving early in January for four months specialized training prior t o the opening of Expo April 28, 1967. i. second language was 'Jne of the requirements for application and during the training period Velma ~nll be given the opportunity to brush up on her french as well as introduction on make-up, hair styling, protocal Canadian History. Velma will guide visitors and explain the exhibits dePicting Indian History, legends and culture. Centennial projects are not new to Velma, @he has ; ,' ."1-: ... .. : .' ': .' ' .' b~en secretary to the Batchewana Band . and took part ·in their recent building of a r: entennial rlnk. \'[e could all take pride in Velma Robinson's accomplishments and great achievements, as she is a member of our Reser/e.

' On June 27, 1974, a tovmship was named in honour of Chief J.M. Corbiere. The document reads as follows: "The Government of Ontario has named the geographic to\ffiship indicated on this scroll for John M. Corbiere in recognit ion of a valuable contribution to the development of the region . This name will appear in all official maps, records and doc­ uments of the Province of Ontario on and after June 27 , 1974. It was signed Lea Bernier, - Minis ter of Natural Resources and William Davis the Premier of Ontario. This township is s l i ghtly . " &. N · .E~ · of ·V!awa. · Other 't 'oi,;mships surrourding this t o\ffiship begi nning in the top left hand corner i s Leclaire , Abot-Ossaway, Aquonia, Covne, Fiddler Es quigo, Cho l and, Musquas h. 32. ECONOMIC DEVELOpr·iENT ~. -Blue Heron Industrial Park The idea of an Industrial Park was conceived 'in 1967 by the ( Band Council. It was dra\vu up by Proctor and Redfern, whi ch created a seventy-two page report. Practor and Redfern are consulting engineers and town planners. Par:t of their purpose was to group resident in order to enable better utilization of utilities eg. water and SeYlers. The Industrial Park \·:as also established in order to create job opportuni ties for Band r·1embers. During the year 1971, a company knovm as the Batchewana Band Industries Ltd., was incorporated in the Province of Ontario. In 1972 a master plan for the Industrial Park was approved by Council. The executive summary of this plan is as follows, as taken from Master Development Plan and Industrial Park for the Rankin Reserve 15D. In 1979 a Board of Directors was created for the Industrial Park. The members of the original board was as follo\·/8: Arther \'jishart, William Hogg, Chief John Corbiere, Councillors: John Sewell and Robert Syrette.

In 1976 Members were: Arther Wishart, ~'Jilliam Hogg, Chief Corbiere, Robert Syrette and Kenneth Sayers •

.' ," .~ ...... , . .... Executive Summar};

1. The Objective~ To establish an Industrial Park on our Re s erve; and by this means to provide 100 job opportunities for our ~eople within five years. 2. The Proposal: A r-1aster Plan has been formally approved by Council. Approximately 367 acres of land h~v e been surrendered for industrial and co~~ erc ial leasing and a perimeter survey and an interior survey have been completed. 'tIe propose that a wat,er supply and dist ibution system be cons tructed, along with service r oads A,B,C, so that 85.1 acres of additional land can b~ brought into leasing. The cost of providing these services to the Phas e 1 area is $382,330.00. avalLaOLe 1n tne Master Hepo rt ~~ee . AppenalCeS) ~ · .- -"Finance and Administration: . 1. The Company knovm as "Batchewana Band Indust ries Limited",which was .incorporated in November 1972. Under the o\-.rnership of the Band vlill hold the "He& d Lease" and will r.ego.tiats · with Commercial and Industrial Clients . Such leases 1.'.;il1 require the approval of the Iv1inister. The Company will be respo.nsible to the Band Council for all ma .... ter s dealing vlith the development of the Industrial Park, Including administration expenses, and the operaticr. and maintenance of the water system and t h e road system. 2. " The Band will receive a grant in the amount of $382,,330. for the construction (servicing) co ~tv. Costs per serviced acre - $4,691.

There vias a contest open to all member's of the Band, and the person who submitted the most suitable name for the Industrial P2r k would receive $10.00. Andrew Corbiere won, submitting the name, BLUE HERON.

From r~ay 27, to June 1st Chief John ~·1. Corbiere took a C&nadi2. f1 Industrial Developers course at the University of ~'!aterloo. This course was to help him in managing the Industrial Park. The Blue Heron Industrial Park sign was purchased from Si nclair Advertising. During the large Nindstorm in November 1975, this sign was . blown away but was replaced in due time. The Economic Development Cormnittee was formed in May 1974. The executive positions were held by these men: Chairman: Harvey Bell - 2 years. Secretary: ¥~. Randall Syrette 18 months. Treasurer: rt~. Darrel Lesage - 1 year.

Batchev'lana Band Economical Development COrnr.li ttee The overall objective of the newly f ormed Economic Development Committee is to educate band membe rs as to their future in the .- Economic Development of the reserve ., 'we must t each members ho',"! to make t he mos t of their land, to provide future jobs and vlor.'"ing func. ~~ 1 thus providing a better standard of living f or all our people 35 • • _ . . c l'l ". - - .. ------..- - . - . - -. - . Members over the next five years,. the following projections are realistic-

Source~. of Income Employment 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 $28000(4) $56000(8) $9 6000(12) ~128000(16) $192000( 20) $224000(24) Training 5760 *80 14400 *160 14hOO *160 16000 *160 16000 *160 16000 *160 Land Rents 6000 ' 11000 16000 21000 ' 26000 31000 $39760 $81400 $126400 $165000 $234000 $271000 (H) Jobs (*-) Weeks of Training While our objective is to create 20 job Opportunities annually, we have projected a lower job creation l evel and even this is sound evidence that our people ' standard of living will be much improved, including better housing &nd a real pride in the people. "\-'Je also intend to press for a training program which v/il:::' encourage our young people to prepare thems elves for c the opportunities for the future. Implementation: Phase 1: The planning, the surrender and the survey ·have been completed.

I t is our intentio ~ initially to service and develop 37 lots (85.1 acres) as shown on Hap #3. The basic servicing costs are for the ground water s urvey, and the design of the deep well, estimated at $143 ,0 00 ~ O O the water distribution system, estimated at $107,390; lo~ services (lines from mains to lot lines) estimate at $11,100; and unpaved service roads A,B,&C, estimated to cost $70,840. The total cost including consulting fees would be $382,330. We have allowed 15 weeks for approval of fundfng, administration, and design and specifications and believe that Phase 1 can be completed by Decemb er Jl ~ 1973. Phases 11 and 111 will be completed in the futur e, . according to market demands . Servicing estimates a r J4. .- C~als Hoped to be Acheived Durin ~ Our Firs t Initial ~~ 1. Organize trai ning periods for our band · members to ass i s t t hem in their transi tion from past ideas to piesent living. 2. Our firs t job i s to make a complete study of both available manpovler already employed on the reserve. \'-,e hope to f i nd what our assets are, our problems are. and from there determine wh ere to start.

3. \'le hope to educate ourselves so that we can assist our o ~rn people to develop their O\Affi industries. If we cannot help them we should know whereto get help or information they require. 4. Our hope is to evaluate potential industries to the new Industrial .Park , find out their employment figures and possible by-products for our o~m people to develop. 5. We hope to attract other Indian Industries to relocate on our Reserve. The first Industry to locate in Blue Heron was Northerri Steel Products, six acres of land was leased to N.S.P. in September, 1970. Early in 1971 N.S.P. began operations in a 11,000 square foot plant. It has now been sold and is now kno "i,m as BurmCtc Steel. A list of the industries that are presently lOGated or in the process of locating there is as follow3:

1. ~lgoma .B?verage? . ~ " • h • •• • .. ;".: . . : .. ..: ~ :''' i ".. '...... , . ... . :', ...... ' . ' ... .. , ",. 2. Cormiere Alumininum Products 3. Fecteau Bulldozing I 4. Humpty Dumpty 5. Jobst Brothers 6. Mac IvIor Motorcycles 7. Northern Steel (BurmacSteel) 8. Reid Auto Collision 9. Roncato Truck 10. Superior Hardwood Veneers Ltd. 11. Sovereign Insulation Ltd.

36. ..' il !J

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, ..~ ."' t . •. fr ... ," . > r "'(;. . ~ ,Y ff." .. ~"" ' '''' ~ 1 , '., • ' . . , "';' RANKIN INDIA~ J .' " INDUSTRIAL P/ ;-:::,

~ - ... • 37 .. .' .. . ------' ." There are a number of Band Members ho are employees at the Veneer Mill. A few members are also employed at the Cons truction ' firms. March 12, 1976 was a milestone for the Batchewana Band an accumalated eight years of planning for the Industrial Park. Phase 1 is now completed with the s ervicing of 87 acres. These 87 a cres are

no\" fully serviced. The water supply from the $10,000 purnphouse hi will service the Industrial Park and also provide services to Band Members. -, The Road Grader was purchased in 1971, and the grader shed was .c: I built shortly after. This is another step in our Industrial develo­ pment of the Reserve for we are now able to employ Band Members. .-I Grader Operator's 1. Bernard Agawa 3. John M. Corbiere 2. Grant Blockstock 4. Andrew Corbiere

Approval for a grant for a van was given by the Provincial . ' N Government. This is a 1973 Ford Econo-Line Van, it is blue in color and has the crest painted on the side. The following year, 1974 the reserve van was outfitted as a school bus. Mrs. Donna Sayerc- is the bus driver. She is the 'Nife of Gordon Sayers and the mother of .' r." • nine • . Although the van is used as a school bus it still retain ~ it' s r original purpose. The original purpose being transportation for recreation purposes. On January 27, 1977 a school bus was purchas ed from Mc Jabb bus and truck sales at Ingersoll, Ontario. It was a 1977 yellow ford

to replace the van as a school bus. Mrs. Donna Sayers continued as . -... the bus driver.

For a number of years members of the Batchewana Band have been ,, ', fishing for a livelihood. In 1976 the people who have fished on the Bands fishing licens es a r c George Agawa Joe Robinson (Jordan ) Gregory Agawa Donald Merle Sayers

Morris Agawa Howard stevens i , Eli Jordan Garnet Boyer Gordon Sayers An~s Ka kaps he , , , 38. Band .members are also employed off the reserve, i n such places as Algoma Steel, Abi ti bi arid cons triicti on firms. Some memberc work. a~ ,the Admini .stratio~ Building and the pay ~ u rsery.

Elain~ Syrette, Donna Syrette and Joanne pangowish took a course in Early Childhood Education at Sault College giving them the necessary training .for employme-lt at the nurEery • • October 26, 1976 was the official opening of the Rankin Day Care Centre~ Chief John. Carbiere opened the ceremonies~ Following this was a speech from rvlr. \'jilf VTeldon of the l'-1inistry of Community and Social Services. Mrs. Kathaleen Syrette along with help from the staff of the Day Care Centre cut the ribbon marking the official opening. Other dignitaries that were also present a t the official opening were the ~ayor of Sault Ste. Mari.e, IJick ·Trobovich, Mr. ' Xavier Michon, President of National Association for Friendship' Centres and Mrs. Lorena Lewis, Chief of Cutler Reserve. As of June 1977 there were 16 children enrolled in the Day Care. The total capacity is forty children. The follovd.ng people are the Day Care Centre Staff:

G "'~" Marion Palanuk - Program Supervisor Carol Menard - Teacher Elaine Syrette - Assistant Teacher (has since retired)

.:...... , :., ,> ...· c· .'. : ' .' ~ ' \... ~ ·.. Donna -Syret teo - Assistant Teacher . :. Francis Baumann - Part-Time Teacher Joanne pangowish - Cook/Housekeeper

39.

".- ' I ... CO~MU NI TY HALL AND ICE AR EN A

The ' Chief and Council have recently be en successful i n ob~aining a Win t ario Grant for the construction of a Communi t y Centre Indoor Ice Arena. The grant totalled $147,059. 00, a l ong with a Community Centre Grant and Band Funds will be enough t o completely finance the Arena. These Band Funds have come f rom the land settlement in the last couple of years. The Arena i s 240 feet long by 120 feet wide. It has a Mezzanine, kitchen and bar facilities. The soil tuning ceremony took place September 13, 1976 at 10 a.m. The total cost was 3600,000. 0 0. The Arena is known as the Rankin Arena. T he Band. Counei I emp loye d Mr. Vince Ver done as Are -na Manager on June 11th, 1977. He was previously employed by t he V.M.C.A. in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. The Rankin Arena's official opening was held on Friday,

July 29, 1977 at 7 p.m. The people who t~ok part in the ribbon cutting ceremonies were Darrel Lesage, Colleen .Syrette, Victor Boyer and Vivian Waboose . These people held the ribbon while Rober t Robin son had the honour to ·cu tit. The peop Ie who we r e . among the head table guests were as follows:

.~ ,, ' ~ •• •••• - :- : .. ,'.; • • ' . . ' IlL" , • • :- ,:. , : '. ". Mr. and Mrs. John Corbiere - Chief and Ba nd Administrator Mr. and Mrs. Vince Verdone - Arena Ma ilager ~r. Vern Gran - District Supervisor of Indian Affairs Sudbury Mr. John Rhodes - M. P .P. Mr. George Jonescu - CJIC TV Mr. and Mr s. Nick Trbovich - Mayor of Sault Ste. Marie Mr. Albert Williams - Elder of Garden River Reserve Mr. John Yesno - Master of Ceremonies Dr. Maurice Foster - M.P. Mr. and Mr s. Geo rge Agawa - Elder of Goulais River Rese r ve tather O'Neil l - Ga rden River Mr. Bill Hogg - Member of the Ba t che wan a Band I ndustries Mr. and Hrs . Er ic Smith - ·Oakv i lle

4-0. . The . Banquet was ~repared · by Betty Grawbitger .and her daughters. There were a variety of native and contempar a r y roods. Approximately 400 people witnessed the ceremony and enjoyed the meal, another 500 joined in the social evening. Billy Thunderkloud and the ehlertones, an Indian group from Nashville, entertained with an hour and a half musical show. After thiS . performance Frank Boyer and the Kountry Kin9s provide d dancing entertainment for the remainder of the evening.

The following is a floor plan of the Ice Arena and the Mezzanine.

l' , .... ,

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o ~1 I 1-/"1" i ..; , r-' .... - -' , ; 1 ---~ , I t . ~. .. ~ -. -. ~ ~ i ~ ~ f,·.·. '. !! .. . . ------.~ t ( ~ 'q. . ___ ~ -l :. . : I!~;'~' ~ .r.~. ;_..... : ______.~~ - ~'I______~ . - , ;/ - .... J II / - ,

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,.,. c , '7" I ", I ~ I ~ ; r~ - , "'-. I• ...,t.,) ''"' )i .-.'., ".- \"' : r L-::.-.. ~.:.==- - ...- .­ .~ : ;": #.1------' --'- --.. - .- f h ! : ~ ; '- . ~s ;1 . " ~ ) ! ':.::.. .. " i ! t ~ , 'i ' I <..-:'" . '~ ,..,; J. ... " , .4 L r 0 t ::·~ .,------.: ~' . ;r ------~, '\ ./. / '::: I ~- ..•• • , .': ~ . ~ _ :- j /: '\ ' ~ ,, ' -'- "~ "', ~ / "\. , . , . ~ ' . ~~, ; i f j t'.~ ~ ..;" l , : I (~ --:--":"'"":' ,----- . ----~----~---- . ! . .. . I , • J The following is a list of people employed by the band vrho worked with the council in operation of band business: Welfare Administrators: Laura Sayers 1969 Marg L.esage 1970 Judy Lesage 1975 • Band Administrators: Alic'e Corbiere 1969 Marg Lesage 1973 Elizabeth Jordan 1976 Alice Corbiere 1976 Land Administrators: Stan pangowish 1973 Roger Lesage 1975 Dave Syrette 1976 Elizabeth Jordan 1977 Band Clerk: Angeline Syrette 1973 \.,anda Boyer 1976 Band Secretary: ,, \ Velma Robinson 1966 Alice Corbiere 1966 Office Secretary: Elizabeth Boyer 1975 Constables: St-an Pango;.ris~1 1974 Darrel Lesage 1976

Arena Nanager': 'Vince Verdone 1977 /Arena Assistants: . Ronald Boyer 1977 Mathiew Corbiere 1977 Lunch Providers: Lillian Boyer 1967 l~s. f\1. Jordan 1968 Adeline Corbiere 1970 Stella Sewell 1971 Student Services: Marion Lemieux 1976 Brenda McLeod 1976 Elaine Syret.te 1977 ---- -" 42. ~ , \ ADMINISTRATION

.~ Under t he heading of a dministration it will be shown how I ( \ Band business is accompli shed. Also the form of government will be described. Names of former chiefs a nd council wi l l also. be included here. • In 1850 the chief who signed t he Robinson-Huron Treaty .

was Nebena~goching. It s eems t hat t his chief, Nebenaigoching, was leader of the Batchewana Ba nd until at least 1894. As records for t his period from, 1850 t o the 1950' s were ei ther sketchy or non-existant, it is hard to find out what the chief and council were involved i n. Although we did find the names of some council members in 191 8 and 1919. This information was obtained in the Garden River minute book. In 1918 the members were: Gus Nolan Robert Nolan William Bo yer In 1919 some of the members were: \iilliam Souliere Robert Nolan

, ...... ~ .... . 0 •• ••• - • , 1 • ... '"" ..; . T h~. r e , 0 b vi 0 us 1 y we reo the r me mb e r s 0 f the co U n c i 1 throughout the years, but we were una ble to find out who . . . they were at this time. Band members in 1879 decided to pay Chief Nebenaigoching S100.00 per year for the rest of his life. The following i s a letter pertaining to this:

Septembe r 6, 1879.

To The Honourable: Superintendent General of Indian Affair s , Ot t awa .

We the undersigned Indians of the Band of Batche wan a I ndi a ns under Chief Nebenaigoching re s i ding in t he Ba y , Garden R iv e~

Indian .Re s erve, Go ulais Ba y , 8 a~che w ana Ba y, a nd Agawa Rive r,

43• :".,..' ~. " ~: ., . ~ ~ ~ .': ' : ~:. : .,...... '. '...... ':. :.':'.: ...... -'.0. ':_....', ' " " ..,'. : .." :'.: .. have held Council and do a~ree to give our Chief Nebenai goching the sum of one hundred dollars per" year during his life. (

Peter ~Jeyahguh L. Wahtah Ben Boyer • r'lichel Boyer James Sayers " Joe Nebenaigoching Thomas Sayers Aug. Boyer Edward Nebenaigoching Meqigram Lesage Kervuhlijicik John Corbiere F ran cis \tJa h t a h J. 8. Ahgwodosh Rob VJahtah J.8. Corbiere Louis Ccrbiere J"ahn ItJ ahtah Joseph Corbiere Augst "Corbiere Patrick Nebenaigoching John Nebenaigoching Sagenushiquai Ant: Tete Blanche J.8. Agahbaionoquai Tehobenchng Cqucis Showonilsenep Kahkabshing Lapainh Thomas '..Jaboose Louis Cqucis

Joe vJ abo as e P e.t e r ~J a boose

~'is Krosh Geo: Apahquush

Peter Ahnahqagess E dushquabi t ":, .... . Notchelahjizik Quant Quahquawezance Puvshewstihevom MurirssePeshewstfgwon J.8. Peshewshgwon Wahbequkquoi Frank Mrzin In all there were fifty names.

Signed, Mr. Van Abbot, Indian Agent.

• . ' ,0 ' . ~ • '...... ~ .. . . ', ,- ' : ' . . : ,' ...... • . . ' ; ~ . Sometime in the early 1900's the passing of the Chief t a n­ ship from father to son was discontinued. Previou s t o this

( the position of chief was in the Sayers or Nebenaigoching family . It seems that Chief Sayers hande d down his title to one of his

sons, another son became j ealo ~s and demanded an election. The jealous brother lost the election. Af ter this t he Chief a nd Council have been elected. Ea ch term of office is approxima tely two years. Previous to 1949, Joe Tom Sayers was chief. In 1949, August Boyer was eleoted chief for a term of 17 years. Sometime during this period Lawrence Syrette was also chief, but we were unable to find the exact d3te.

The follo wing will be a list of Chiefs a nd Council since the year of 1956: October 1956-1958 - Chief : Gus Boyer Councillors: Martin Sa yers Louis L. Syrette Mrs. Ted (Marg) Syrette (~..

1958 - 1960 Chief: Gus Boyer Councillors: Louis L. Syrette Phillip Nolan Eli Jord8n

1960 - 1962 Chief: Gus Boyer Councillors; Louis L. Syrette Ben Boyer John (Jack) Boyer

1962 - 1964 Chief: Gus Boyer Councillors: Alice Co rbie re Georg8 A gawc Robert Robinson

45.

•• , : ow •• .- , ' . ' ~." • ' .. t o I . ~ .. - .. -:,,- . :: ' . . . ' . : ...... : ...... : .. .'. ·0~ ' ... ' .t·, ...... : . . . .' ...... 1964 - 1966 Chief: Gus Boyer Councillors: Bernard Na djiwon Alice Corbiere touis L. Syrette • 1966 - 1968 Chief: J.M. Carbiere Councillors: George Agawa James Agawa Justin Syrstte

1968 - 1970 Chief: J~M. Corbiers Councillors: John Sewell Ben Boyer Robert Syrette

1970 - 1972 Chief: J.M. Corbiere Councillors: Robert Syrette John Sewell Robert John Robinson Jr.

1972 - 1974 Chief: J.M. Corbiere Councillors: Harry Jones Rod Sewell Harvey 8ell Maynard Boyer

1974 - 1976 Chief: J.M. Carbiers Councillors: Ha rry Jones Harvey 8ell Darryl Lesage Frank Boyer

1976 - 197 8 Chief: J.M. Corbiere Councillors: Ma rg Lesage Donna S aye rs Victor Boyer

Da~ryl Lesage 45a.

,', : ' ,. . , .' ! , " ' , r ••• • . : ," , , ' , • • = .. : . ~ .. : .- . Up to 1956 all members of the Batchewana Band, who we re over 21 were eligible to vote. But after Mr o O'Neill took office as Indian agent he stated that those members living in Batchewana had no right to vqte, as they do not live on a teserve. So Mrs. Cliff Lesa ge·was sent to ottawa in 1957 with a petition questioning the reason why these members are not allowed to vote. The Band felt that if the members living in Garden River and Goulais Mission are allowed to vote, then those living in Batchewana should have the same right. The petition was over-ruled, so the Band Members residing in Batchewana Bay are not entitled to vote.

In 1973 .8 request was made by each Chie~ in Ontario asking their minister that they want the Indian people eighteen ye a rs of age and over to be able to vote in the Indian Band elections , the same rights as the Dominion of Canada. This was not approved

the re for e a b an d me mb e r s till n e 8 d s to be . t he age of t we n t y - one to vote at band elections.

In 1972 the following Chief and Councillors Oath of Office was introduce d: I, , do solemly promise and declare that I will truly, faithfully and impartially, to the best of my knowledge and ability, execute the office of

~ouncillor to which I have been elected in this reserve, that I have not received any payment or reward, or promise thereof, for the exercise of any partiality or malversation or undue

ex e c.u t ion 0 f s u c h off ice. Covered by section 78 of the Indian Act.

45 b. "

. " . .

.. ',', :_ •• • -; 0" \. : o f .; : " .... .1 . ~ ...... " .. : ," '''. . ... ". ~ . :." ". ' ...... ' ·0·. .. -: ,' . .. ~ ", ...... ". , ... . . : "" . ' . , : . ' ,. •• •• • ' ••• " t : . • During· the l ate 50' s and early 60' s, Band Council' s we r e . involved in housing progra ms and road-way maintenance. Ri gh t

of ways for power a nd telep hone lines were given in the s e y e a r s ~ During the ye ar of 1960 and 1961,. ideas were brought up concerning cons truction of a Council Hall. Mr. 8~n Boyer was placed in cha rge of cons t ruction of the hall. He began work on October 1st, 1962. The hall was completed by the middle of Nove mber. Although there was still more work to be done on the new council hall, the first meeting was held there on November 19, 1962. At this meeting nominations were held. Bill Boyer was appointed a s caretaker for the new council hall. The following were members of the council ·hall committee: John M. Corbiere, Louis L. Syrette, and Robert Robinson (secretary). The 8atchewana Band Hall while still in use served many purposes: i.e. -

Aecreation~ dances, contests, slave auctions, all night s leep outs, winter carnival, bazaars, folk school, Christma s parties, variety show, playgrounds and pow wo ws. Meetings: baseball, cultural, school, recreation, teen club floor hockey, and education •

i ~g • .~. . ~ _.' . , • ~ ", • ',,' ' . ' ,l , • • , " • ..COlJI; .se s.: 8 sadi ng, gui tar .1.e.? sops ,. judo,. bookke,ep , ~ . .' . ' " . - . . ' . . '. . . .. communications, etc. Religion: m?ss, confessions, communions and baptisms. '. . "~ " .. . .. ~dminist~ation: nominations, elections and meetings.

The hall was located at the corner of Gran and Batchew ana streets. On Monday, Jul y 25, 1977 the Council Hall was relocate d. It moved to the North side of Gran street just east of the Grader Shed. The reason it was moved being to accommod a te fo r the construction of the Rankin Arena. Rates for Ha ll Rental:

1. Band member s, 57.00; ~ 5.0G to Ba nd and ~ 2.00 to care-taker for extra c lea ning.

2. Non-band me mbers of orga nizations ; ~ 25.0 0r ental, an d care­ taker was to a rrange for extra pay for cleaning. J.P. . . . . ~ : "': ". ~ :- ... ~. ~ " ... .; , : ' . . ., l .. • ", : # . ,....' ..'. ' .) 3. Chief and Council decided that any club organizations f rom the Reserve. that was to start should have it for free. r The first dance that was held at the new hall was a New • Year's Dance, held on December 31st, 1962.

Previous to 1973 there was no office building for Band business. Before the hall was constructed meetings were held in peoplels homes. After construction of the hall in 1962 , meetings were held here but there was still no area for office work. Business was carried out from Homes. It was in people's

homes that re~ords were kept and business transacted. In 1973 the Band obtained a traif'er for office use. The dimensions of

1 the trailer were 10' by 50 • The trailer was situated at the west end of Gran street, at the bend in the r oad. As new programs were taken on by the Band more space was needed.

In May of 1975 construction began on an Administration and Cultural Building. Plens were drawn up by Seligam and Dick Architects. The building was constructed by Jobst Bros. Construction Ltd. The Administration Building cost in the

.. . . .~ . ' . . '. ' .. .: . ... ·a rea· 0 f . $ 2 0 0 , 000 • 00 0 n 0 c to be r 1 0 t h , . 1 97 5 the · 0 f f ice ' s t a f f ·

moved from the trailer into the building~ The official

...... ' opening was conducted by Chief Corbiere on ~ovember 6th, 19 7 ~ o

~olleen Syrette, Vivian WabOOS8 and Ben Boye r did the honours of cutting the ribbon. Mr. and Mrs. Robert Syrette were employed as maintenance staff. On the following pages is the song composed by Allen .Boyer for the opening, entitled " Help It Along" and also the floor plans of the Administration Building.

"" . . . f.. ".' .... ~ .... ," '. ~ . .~~ t · , ... : ,, : ~... :* . ~ ,\.": ;'-, l,;. " , ." , :-.~" " . ~':' :' : ,,, . ' "1' o· .... :#" . . :. : f ~ • • ~. - . .. . . •• • :. .. .. : " .... " . . :t . ' , . : ," ,.' . , ' • .', ', : . '::" .: . .... of ".:. ,t . , 41 .. ' , .. . . . • :' I The fol1o~ling is a s ong that ~'JaS <..:omposed and perfort:1 ed b j .-"::": -::--' Boyer for the opening of the Ad..rnip..istrati on and Cultural 3u '-,:c...:..::.:-/ -j . . ~ . " i " " 4' • ," ' Help It Along, II . . I ' . " I From the first stone that was laid, To the building that it made. ~ 'From the sweat of each man, Came a plan. ,"

. . ','" . For each glass and each door, _ ' • 0 ' .. From~ the ceiling to the floor. " I was asked to ~vrite a song, , ' •• ' "0 So everybody here, help it along.

" t. ~fuen I ~~s first a$ked to write a song for the opening ~r our new Administration Building. I must say I \'laS at a lost. "HO\"1 do you ltrri te a song about a building?" I asked myself. It' 'has no personality, rlor does it have feelings. I · : But then one morning it davmed on nre c ••••••••

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God has been very kind to u,s in the last five or six years. Our Reserve has grown to be something, to be admired, be apprec;iatl2d. Ho:t only by the Indian I ~ . " • people, but also by o'.:r neighbours 1 the 'T.·~~i ternan' • Who worked hand in hand vdth o~r people to make it all . . ' . . . . ~ :. . =- . . possible. tll\d.in reflecting in G'''d' s love upon us 'f,'le m 1~ 7~ keep in mind that this is one St8P closer in sharing - ~ a unity that will grow ~vith in the comming years. I believe, 'Help It Along' says just that!

One fine da~ we'll live to-gether, ,. . Gi'Ve to-gether • Some fine day, a time b~yond our time, . ' Come that day, we' ll make it if wetre strong. So help it along, help it along, help it along • • , . .. • '. " ·z ·· , . r · 48a.

~ ... . ,. ,: " . ., .. . , ',' . . ~ . ', .: : ' : ., ' . ' ,. ,.,.<,.; ; . .. :: .. ' ...... ~. : " " ~ . : : :. ," • .o '''': '': ~ j • .'...... : . • ... : . . , . : ..·l ····:· ..: '.' " #" : . - .: . , ... ' .o .. . , •• . " Please don't laugh at me when I tell you t·\ I believe in love.

, , 'Because it's still the only thing that There's to little of. '" :. ... . And ·it's along. time coroming, . .' 'Oh, but come I l m sure it 1;-.ril1. CII Jlist in time the world vlill ride, .

On the far side of the hill o

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., ..- One fine day I we t 11 Ii ve to-gether, Give to-gether. Some fine day, a time beyond our time. 'Come that day, we'll make it if we're strong. , . So help ,it along, help it along, help it along.

e " ,.: ' . ... • , .' ' ;, . ~ ' ., ' ., Some fine day, a time beyond our time. " . ' .'Come that day, we'll make it if w~'re strong. So help it along, help it along, help it along.

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• • • FLOOR PLAN FOR .!\DI":IlTISzt\TION BUILDING , . ., , . ' ,; ..

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News Letter Editors: Charlotte and Elaine Syre.tte Angeline Syrette Marg Lesage Wanda Boyer Liz Jordan Alice Corbiere Liz Boyer Judy Lesage Ronnie Syrette

The newsletter was first started in M~y 1972, by Cherlotte Syrette who was assisted by her sister Elaine. Elaine continue d

~ublishing t he newsletter after Charlotte was married in Septembero She carIied on the new sletter till November 1972, at this time she was succeeded by Angeline Sy rette. In 1974, Marg Lesage began to edit the Rankin newsletter, she was later helped by Wanda Boyer (typist). The newsletter was continue d by Wa nda and was. published by both Wanda Boyer an d Liz Jordan. Then the other editors follow throughout the years. The news letter is sponsored by the Bsnd Council. The purpose of the newsletter issues is not only to inform our band members of what is occuring on the reserve, bu~ also to develop and maintain a grea ter sense of unity and communication amo ng our people. The newsle tter keeps the people of the rese rve up

5Cl to date on what events are taking place, and the results of t he events that have already taken place on the reserve. The new s ­ ( letter concerns a ll the Indian people of the reserve.

In 1973, the Teen Club of ~ the Rankin Reserve began publishing a Teen Newsletter monthly. The editors ruere Colleen Corbiere, Roger Syrette, Lorraine Boyer and Darlene Syrette. The purpoie of the Teen News letter was to inform people of what was happening and what events were taking place in the Teen Club. The Teen newsletter advertised dances, slave auctions, meetings, birt hdates and a.so contained poetry.

The Rankin emblem was established in March of 1973. The emblem is with the Indian- in the canoe and the moon behind him. This emblem is use d on letterheads, envelopes, team sweaters, and on the '73 ford van, and also on the constables cruiser.

The streets of the reserve were named after people except for Batchewana street. Gran Street was named after Vern Gran who worked closely with our Band Council. Mr. Gran was a membe r of the Indian Affairs. Pontiac Street was na med after Chief Pantian, a famous Indian of the eighteenth century. Tecumseh Street was named after another famous Indian of the eighteenth century. LAW ENFORCEME NT

-Previous to 1974, policing was done by the Ontario Provincial Police (O.P.P.). They were responsible for en f orci~ g the criminal code and other such manners. According to t he Indian Act only Federal Police Agents (R.e.M.p.) were supposed to enforce laws on the reservations, but Provincial Police were asked to enforce Provincial laws.

On April 17, 1974, Stanley Willian Pangowish was hired for the position of Rankin Police Constable. He was trained by the

O.P.P. in Aly~er, Ontario.

Constable Responsibilities: 1) Protect people and property of Reserve and enforce laws of the land. 2) Have Chisf or Administrator sign his prepared time sheets and is to submit to local o.P.P. affic2 . 3) Wear proper uniform and maintenance of all equipment4 4) Take all training available to po~ition.

On December 14, 1974 a chevy blazer was purchased for use as a police vechicle. The blazer was ' a tan " ~nd white 1975 m ode l~ Tbe uniforms for Constable Pangowish were also ordered at this time. On December 24, 1975 Darryl (Happy) Lesage was hired as our second Reserve Police Constable. Constable Lesage was also trained in Alymer by the O.P.P. Our police force now work closely with the O.P.P. attachment in tracking down criminals and fugitives f~om the law. 80fh the police constables are paid by the o.P.P. un der the title of Special Constables. Their wo~k ,schedule is made up by . " the Band Council. Anytime day or night one can see our brave police constables patrolling t he Reserve and bringing 18w and order on the Reserve.

. - , ;RECREA TI 0 -J

By conducting intervieTtls iAr1. th the elderly peopl-e and t hrough , , the offi'ce files, information pertaining to recreation was obtained. Through personal obs ervations and experiences other types of recreation were recognized. It appears that the elderly peopl e haq very interesting ways of enjoying themselves in their spa r e time. Through our interviews we learned of different and interecting type~ of so~ial gatherings. Such as, Box Socials, which would t ake place during a bazzar or fair, where a woman would have a lunch and the men would bid on each indi vidu.al lunch not knOi,'ling who prepar ed it. The highest bidder would win the lunch and the company of the lady who prepe.red it. There were also card parties, and basebal l also took up a lot of the recreation time. These events usually occured during the spring, summer or fall months. During the i,·linter months the people would skate, play hockey, and go sleigh riding ,for entertainment. Dances were held year round in different homes , these would sometimes last all r-ight, with the people providing their own music. Also some of the people went fishing and hunting for recreati on. This could of also been part of their livelihood. The first recreation committee was formed in August 10, 1965. On June 10, 1966 the Band Council passed a resolution officially app;i '~t 'i~g ~ Recrea,tion Commi tte~, 'and the By-iaw#1966-67 vias approved on July $, 1966 by the Mirl stsr of Education. Fi~st Recreation Commi ttee f'.lembers : Chairman - John Sewell Secretary - Alice Corbiere Members From Council: Chief John Corbiere Councillor Justin Syrette Other MembE?rs: Lilly Boyer Julia Corbiere

, \tliil~am Bo yer J~rome Syrette Liz Jordan Calvin Corbiere Stella Sewell Phillip Poquette

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- ' .; -- , I ' " "" "The "recreation committEe is the agent of the Band Council and is expected to study the recreational needs of the community, to ( administer and operate community programs of recreation, and also to assist groups in the community to provide leisure time activities and recreation services.

Through the Rec reation Commi ttee a Centennial Grant \'l aS received. This grant was appl~ed for i n the year 1966. The funds were used for the constrution of the community park, play field, outdoor skating rink and shelter, whi ch was located on lots 49C and SOC, on the corner of Gran Street and Batche\'lana Street. The shelter costing $744.00 was built by Philip Poquette and Bill Boyer. The outdoor rink and shelter was re-located in 1975 to Frontenac Street by Stan Pangowish and Jim Boyer. On the following pageis the plan for the Centennial Project.

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r. The first recognition of a daycamp program that we have wa during the s ummer of 1967. Georgina Jordan attended a Leader' s ,Course. at , Camp , ~ akonda. After completion 0 1 this' course she began , working as playground leader for the Rankin Reserve. Gay 1'!alsh, was employed for the summer of 1968. She worked at the Co m.rnu nity Hall, under t he s upervision of Alice Corbiere. The follovring summer 1969, Amber Baxter was employed as playground leader. In 1970, Barron ~racDonald continued the Day Camp Program. The first program in an organized sense took place in 1971 when two people ran a part time program for approximately fifteen

children, ages varying from _etght to eleven~ The following yea r t he program continued in a similar manner f ,or the su..rnmer time. A pers on from the City of Sault Ste. Marie Community Service Board, George Wheesk and Charlotte Syrette, a member of the Batchewana Band, ran the program with limit~d funding and equipment.

In 1972, Th\right Dutkiewicz and r~1 icheal Hibbert, were hired under a special grant which started 1:.he first full time program on the reserve. The grant paid their ~~ges and enabled come programing to commence. The following students were also employed by the O.F.Y. (Opportunity For Youth) program for '1972; Charlotte Syrette, Ro bert Syrette Jr. (BuCk), Susan Corbiere, Hal Tegosh, Angela Syrette, Albert Sewell, Sh~ron Boissoneau, Paul Stevens, Joe Sayers and Elaine Syre~te. The O.F.Y. students requested assistance in the purchasing of camping and coaneing ~ quipment. The Band Council approved the s pending of not more than $1,000.00 for four canoes , paddles, life belts and jackets and packing equipment from the recreational f und with an additional $SO.OO for tents. The O.F.Y. group also received permission to use the lighthouse at Batchewana, Bay for their c,?-mping program •

. On September of 1972, Micheal Hibbert vIas hired by the Band to continue the recreation program in a full sense, a 'Teen Club was established. The joining of the Algoma film council provided many

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" ' ; : , ,' . . ~ . ."...... -.. evenings of enter tainment at f irst, unt il tne films became

reptiti olls in nature • . Ot h er . act~vi ti es we r e·t~en planned; dancing, bowling , pool par ties , mi niature golf, s leigh rides , skating .. ( ·· . ~.· . >· parties~ . all ni ght marathon pa ~ti . e s , bingos , and ot her .relate.d activities. The Teen Club also participated in an exchange progr am with the Otta\'la Y. M.C.A. and ' the youth club on t he Caughnawaga Reserve from August 29th t o September 3rd, 1973. The chaperones were Wanda Boyer and Micheal Hibbert. The participants of this trip were; Terry Corbiere, Joe Corbiere, Ruby Bell, Ann Marie Boyer, Karen and Lo r na Bell, Brad Syrette, P~ul Stevens, Eugene Boyer and Joe Syrette, rangi ng in age from 13 to 18. The group toured t he Reserve and were gues ts at the Long House and Onake Canoe Club. They also toured Nontreal and spent an afternoon in Ottawa. In late September 1972, a Homemakers Club was establis hed , around the s ame time as t he Teen Cl ub. The Homemakers Club consisted of bead work and ~ e win g courses. This club las ted approximately 1 year. On January 2nd, the L.I.P. (Local Initiati ves Program) wa s started on t he Re s erve with the hi ring of Band rvr embers who f illed the positions of after s chool worKers , tiny tot programmer, craft instruct or, caret aker, and busines s administrator. The people who were emp loyed i n t he L.I.F. are as follows: Co-ordinator - Rod Sewell Secretary - Handa Boyer Tiny Tot Progr ammer - Joanne Pay'. gowish After School Pr ogram at Hall - Sue-Ann Robinson After School Program at Schools Albert Sewell and Bernard Agawa Janitor - Ben Boyer Rink Caret ak e ~ - M~ynard Boyer Some .of thei r a ctivities incl uded a winter carnival, the opening of t hree separate s chools for t he chil dren in t he a r ea,

.... : . . comple.t e use .of the hall, the bui lding of s everal storaGe areas , . , . . : . '. . " , '...... " ,'.. . - '. . finishing the rink shack, having a f ull time progr am for the preschoolers, and the begi nning of a -hockey progr am. / 57.

", .: ...... ~ " e _ " - • ' . .. . 1 • ,',. . .. ' '\ ., : .. • ' . ~ "I,' " ,," • ' • • • "1 •• .... ~ ' .~ ~. . ." .. ~ " . .. .-...... ~ ' .. ~ . In 1973, there was a joint progr am being run, a day- c2mp and an extensive canoe trip. The Day-camp s taff vIas headed by . Ronna . MacDonald and Jack payette. ~ l embers of the Day-camp st a f f we r e

J . ,Darlene. .Syrette,. Brad:. Syrette,. .Ruby Bell, Ann . Marie ' Boyer Ke vi ..n . .. , Tegosh, Eugene Boyer and Paul Stevens . (Sugene and Paul for half the summer). This staff ran an arts and craftp program for t he young children. All day outings and over nights were part of t he progr am .

The canoeing portion of the program '!tTas based on an extens i ve trip. This canoe trip was from Chapleau to Moosenee. The canoeist were on this trip for approximately thirty days. The campers also were to take letters with them concerning the tri-centennial of Moosenee. This trip was recorded on film and completed vrith music by Dennis Pellarin. The film 'V-las titled uThere are no f,Ioos e in Moosenee'.

Members of the canoeing s taff were Tony ~ cDonagh, Don

McEachern, Pam Haig, Dave Sewell and Dennis P~llarin the photo­ grapher. Paul Stevens joined the trip half way, at Kapuskacine . Campers on this trip wete Karen Bell, Colleen Carbiere, Terry Corbiere, Joe Corbiere, Melvin Boyer, and Eu gene Agawa (Melvin Boyer and Eugene Agawa went. only half way from Chapleau to Kapuskasing)...... ': ": 1~~ ~a~oe t~ip ~eg~~ july" i6, 1973 and ended August 14, 1973 . Four, sixteen foot, fiber-glass canoes were used. There were no serious mishaps on this trip. A f3w canoes were s lightly damaged but nothing that could not. be fixed. In 1974 co-ordinators for the Day camp were Eugene Boyer and Ruby Bell and Assistant co-ordinator, Darlene Syrette. This program operated for eleven weeks. Joanne Pangowish took younger children to the Day Nursery facili tie~, at Sault College for a portion of t he surruner months. A Social and Recreation Director . was hired, Patty Verdone, and Jimrny Boyer '!tIas hired ac- a sc: i s tant recreation ro rker •

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. . . , ,. ; ...."? • • '. ~ . . . .. , \ .: : .. ' . ,.. ' • •• ' e' ...... ' " ...... •...... Down through the years baseball is a f orm of recreatio i 1 ~

which there is a lot of involvem~nt. A Slow Pitch Le a gue was

formed on the Reserve in 1975, for th~ men. Mac Mar has on :'-"'( .: ' , ' • " . :~ "" ...... : :', "' .} . :'., •• " , . .... " : " .: ,' ...... : . ' " ~ • ~ . " ,' " .. . ' , ', .. ~ .... "::'.:.: • : . " . ~' Ao ' , .... ' '" :.' •••. : . " . :' ;. • ' . ' : • • • : ~ • • : ", : . ' the league c ham pionship for two consecutive year s . Reid's Auto won the title in 1977. There was also a boys 'Har d 8all Te am and a Ladies' Fast 8all.

Duri~g the winter months both the girls and boys had

floor hockey t8ams~ The boys floor hockey team attended 8 tournam ent in Caughnawaga, near Montreal. The uChief of Rankin H girl's floor hockey tournament began in May of 1973. The team from Caughnawaga won this tournament. Other teams beside s Rankin that participated were Garden River and the Native Boarding Students. In 1974, the girl's Floor Hockey Team won the "Chief of Rankin" trophy and the girl's floor hocke y tournament. Jim Boyer was the coach. . The team consisted of ten girls: Darlene Syrette Anne Marie Sy rette Anne Marie Boyer Shelley Sewell Roxie Boissonsau Brenda Sayers Rosalie Sayers Jennifer J ones Beyeraly. Tangi'3 Arnelda Jones

The Tourn3me nt of 1975 saw the Garden River Girl's Team

emerge as victors. This ye a r two new teams took pa rt~ Calstock ~nd Sarnia r eplacing Cauhgnawa ga and the Boarding S tudents.

The r e ill as not 0 urn am en tin 1 976 • r1 a y 0 f 1 977 s a ill the Ran kin Girls aga in reign as champions. Members of the team were: Darlene Syrette Melinda Syrette Anne Maria Syrette Brenda Sayers

R0 sa ree Sayers Marl'en'e ' J one s . Pamela 5nyers Donna Mae Sdyers

. 1 t -. ' . ~ :" \. • .. . . " . '.' .:: .... Roseanne Martin ·Rhonda J\ • . Lesage They were coached by Kevin Tegosh and Darcy Mc Cormick . 59.

...... -...... ,.f . 0:; . . 4: . .,,: ...... ~. )' .-_" . : .,

~ : • .. '...4, • • • • • • • - .:. ' ...... : • • I ... .. " .- ' . .. •• • • \ ' ..... ~ . ' 0 ~ • .,. : ' • : " ; .... . ' ', ' ,'. : ,: . .. ': ., ~ . • •...... '. ~ . . ' i . : - .,.' "','. . . ' ~ . ~ ,

, In' 1976 the Indian Friendship Centrespons'ored a ' Bantam " , Floor Hockey Tournament. Under the guidance of the coach ,'-: :';-. " " ,," :,""',:' K ' e ' vl ' n " Te' g()s~ - and ' Oarcey' ,~ M cCormick ,,: the." R·anki'n ··' team '- won ",-t he', . ,.' ': . ' . ' .. championship. Membe rs of the team were: ..,. Jeff Hewson Rolland Hewson Gary Boyer Warren Sayers Noel Syrette Charles Jones CarY' Corbiere Norman 8ell Randy Corbiere Doug Syrette

The members of this team all receiv~d trophies for their individual efforts.

Hockey has also played a prominent role in the recreation of the reserve. 1968 was the year when a combined team fr om Rankin and Garden River were invited to Oakville, Ontario. They left December 27, 1968, for four days. The ages of these boys ranged from 10 to 12 years old. The young bays were billeted with the opposing players. A good time was had by all as the ( team tour ed Niagara Fall~ and hockey games were seen of the " Tor ant 0 ~1 a p Ie Lea f s" and the II Tor 0 n tor·, a r 1 i e s" • The t h r e e men

ut h a we ri ton the t rip wit h the p layer s we reS tan Nola n 0 f Gar den River,' John Corbiere (Duke) of Rankin and John Sewell of Rankin. Members of this team were:

barden River Rankin Shinw8uk ' School Ronnie Barry Greg Boyer Ronnie Beaver or

Chris Belleau Joe Corbiere . F01~ t Hope steve Boissoneau Albert Sewell Levius Wassaykeesic Scott lesage Terry Corbiere of Osnaburgh Teddy Nolan Dave SeUlell Jim Payment Brad Syrette Dan Perreaul t :Donal d S yr-8 t te

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.. ••• • '0 0 ' ., .~ ",: ~ '- "." " \ .'. • •• • ' . .. ' , ,~ "; ... .. " 0_ •• • • • ...... ~ . . " .. - i : . .." . . ' : . ... . ,.- :.. .. .". . I; ...... - , ...... ~" ... .. Thre ~ games we re pla ~ed ending wi t h one win, one ~ie and one lo s s .

Since 1973 Rank in has been entering a team in the Li ttle N.H.L. Reserve Tourneme nt_ The firs t t ourn ame nt a ttended was held i n Espanola, March 18, 19, 20 and the host reserve wa s Birch Isla nd. The Pee Wee team we entered wa s coache d by John Sewell. They won the first gam e 5-0, the s econd game wa s lost 6-1, which ended their hopes in the t ournament. The te am member s we re: Edward Agawa Thomas Nolan Keith Nadjiwan Arren Jones Warren Sayers Gary Jones Norman 8ell Robert Syrette Gary Corbiere Eddie Souliere Noel Syrette Kenny Payme nt Jim Sayers David Nolan Gary Boyer Tim Pine Terry 8oissoneau Charles Jone s

In 1974 the Little N.H.L. Tournament was held in sturgeon Falls, The host reserve was Nippissing. The team memb e r s were: Edward Agawa John Massicote

Noel Syrette J~~iy Massicote Randy Corbiere Gary Boyer '. Clanence Boyer Jim 'S ayer s Norman 8ell Warren Say.ers Lonnie Ailing Gary Corbiere The coache s were John Corbiere and Mo rris Massicote.

In 1975 the tournament was at Perry Sound and the host Reserve was Pe r r y Island. The team members were: Gary Cor-biere Rolland He'w50n Mark 'Vo sp e r Gary Boyer Jeff Hewson Jeff Ca rne s_ .: Jim -Sayer s ..... Kanny Came ron ·Jimmy · Boy er ' .Warren Sa yers Darren McCoy In 1976, two teams were sent to the Li t tle N.H . L. Tourna me nt ,

-a 8-ant am ' te a m an d . aPe e \-1 e .e t' e am. The co a c h ~ S we r 8 0 ann y' S 8. Y? r s ' and Ron a ld Boye r . he tourn ament W3S held in Noelville a nd tho

. ,.' ~ost Re .serve was Dokis. Mem ber s ~f t he team. were: -- ".

! ...• t.. a' ,.. ' '.. ,. • • • • ~ • • . , '" . : , " • • ••• • '.. • .... ' '. ,. •• 4# " :., .~ . .:.' 8ant2.m: Goals Assist Jeff Hewson ,. ( Norman 6ell 2 Terry Boissoneau 1 Lonnie Ailing Warren Sayers Gary Boyer No.el Syrette 2 Darren McCoy Jim Sayers Dave Bell Chuck Jones 3 Mark Vasper . 1 stewart Boissoneau Joe Bell Randy Corbiere Jeff Carnes 1 The Bantam lost their first game 3-2 to Nippissing; won their second game 5-1 against Rama, and lost their third game 4-1 to the winning team.

Pee Wee Team Goals Assists Sherman Hill Ken Cameron 3 5 Jim Boyer 1 Joe T ice 1 Arran Solomon Rolland Hewson 1 2 Jim Morningstar Jim Cada 1 Gary Corbiere 9 4 Darren Boyer Mike Belleau Blair Bellea u The Pee Wee Team won their first game 7-1 against Chri stian Island, they won their second ga me 6-0, and they lost t he ir thir d ( game 7-0 a~ainst Moose Factory.

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. . . . ' .' " .. " ." ,.. . ' " -. c · " : \", : . .' . :' ... , " In ,1977 th~ R2n kin Ban t am Team final ly put it a l l together and won the Little N.H.L. Bantam Ch ampi onship. This tournament

was held in ~alden j ust west of Sudbury . The host re serve was Whitefish Lake Reserve. The fir st g2me W2S won by a s core of 10- 1 against Sucker Creek. The second game ended in a s core of 11-1 in favour of

Rankin ag~inst Spanish Ri ver. Game number three saw Ra nkin again win 12-0 a gainst Whi t efish River. The championship gam e was much closer but Rankin m2naged to win 3-2. This game was played against a tough team from Nippissing. The me mbers of the Rank in team were: Gary Boyer Jim (Cricket ) Boyer Gary Corbie re Warren Sayers Jim Sayers Terry Boissonea u Mark Vosper ( Rolland (Beetle.) Hewson Jeff Hew s on Ken Csrn eron Robert Bellea u Glen Chiblow Chris Soloman James De war Ron Thibe ault

In 1977 a new House League wa s for med in connection with the newl y constructed arena . The first person to re gister was Todd D. Pi ne of Garde n River, age twelve . Todd is the son of Yvonne ~nd D~~ Pi~e of G2rden ~ River •

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.: . .,., . ' . In 1975, a Rankin Lacrosse Team was formed. This team entered the Annual Addiction Research Foundation Lacross8 ( Tournament. This team ended the tourname nt with one win, one tie and two losses. The La crosse team also. went to Sudbury for the Northeastern Ontario Bantam Championship

but th~ te am was defeated.

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.~:: ' ' . . .,' . . . : . . ' .." \ ,.' :. ,': "' ''...... : BIBLIOGRAPHY

Batchewana Band Council Minute Books,

1957 - December 5, 1965 1965 - November 4 , 1969 1969 - 1977

Canada Indian Treaties and Surrenders, 1680 - 1902 Treaty Numbers 1 - 138, Volume 1 Ottawa - "printed by Brown Chamberlain Original published in 1891 by the Queen's Printer

Facsimil~ edition reprinted by Coles Publishing Comp a ny Toronto 1971

A Plan for the Rankin Indian Reserve 150 Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario Proctor, Redfern, Bousfield & Bacon - Consulting Enginee rs and Town Planners

A Bibliography of Works on the Two Soos "and Their Surroundings Cathy MacPhazil

Sault Ste. Marie Public Librory (Ontario)

Sault ste. Marie Public Library (Michigan)

64 .. . ~ '. ACK NOHLE DGE t·1 E ~l TS ". 0" . . ~ '.. .

Historical Society - Art McKeachnie Indian Affairs - Mr. Smith Soo Rapids Society - Harry Graham Interviews - Robert Robinson · Sr. Mrs. Kathleen Syrette Peter Syrette Miss Rose Syrette Miss Delma Sy ~ette Mrs. c. Kakapshe George Ag aw a Robert Syrette Sr. Stan Pangowish Reverend Father Lynch Reverend Bazinet

Batbhewana Band Office Staff of 1976-1977 Ontario Archives Queen's Park Toronto, Ontario Public Archives 395 Wellington street ottawa, Ontario Professor Ian Brown, Algoma University (who helped immensly in organization ) Mr. Bradley Syrette-,-. Ra nkin Reserv-e (for artwork on cover)

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