Page 7 - Alderville First Nation

his book tells of our community, Alderville First Nation. We
want to share with you some information about how we live
and how we came to live this way. As you come to know us,
Tyou will learn to appreciate the diversity of our people. WORDS TO KNOW
Anishinaabemowin
The people of Alderville First Nation belong to the Mississauga (a-nish-na-bay-moe-in):
tribe of the Anishinabek Nation. Our ancestors moved here in the Anishinaabe language
1837 from the Bay of Quinte area. Our family names are still well- diversity: variety
represented in Alderville.

Alderville has undergone many changes since 1837, although
there are things that have remained the same. Our people
no longer make their living by hunting, trapping, fishing, and
gathering rice, but these activities continue to be an important
part of community life. They are highly valued by many members
of our community, especially our Elders.

We hope you will enjoy learning about Alderville. It is dearly
loved by the people who live here, as well as by our members
who live elsewhere and make their way home to Alderville
whenever they can.

NAMES WE ARE KNOWN BY
Throughout history, we have been referred to in many Ojibwe – generally refers to a specific tribe of people
ways. You will find many of those names in this book.
Native – sometimes used to refer to the original people
These names are still used informally and formally, but
of this land
we call ourselves Anishinaabeg (Ah-nish-in-aw-beg),
plural, and Anishinaabe (Ah-nish-in-aw-beh), singular.
Indian – refers to the original people of this land, but
For example, someone who is Anishinaabe may say “I
today is used only in reference to the Indian Act (see
am Anishinaabe from the Anishinaabeg.” Sometimes you
page 66 of the Resources section for more information
may see our name spelled as Anishinabek (Ah-nish-in-
about the Indian Act).
aw-bek). This form usually relates to a formal political
group called “The Anishinabek Nation.” Our tribe is called
First Nation or First Nations – generally refers to the
“Mississauga” from the word Misi-zaagiing (Miss-se–
people or land-base of the original people who reside or
zah-g-eeng). Misi-zaagiing means “[Those at the] Great
are connected by birth or marriage to lands reserved in
River-mouth” in our Anishinaabemowin language. We
Canada for the original people; our community formally
have this name because we were known to live near the
began using the name “Alderville First Nation” in 1987.
mouth of the river.
Alderville First Nation 5

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