Page 17 - Beausoleil First Nation

By 1836, the Anishinaabeg were unhappy with the arrangement, Chief John Assance’s original
and the area at Coldwater was “surrendered” in a treaty. By 1842, name was Essens (Eh-sehns),
which means “Little Shell.” It
a group led by Chief John Assance left Coldwater and settled on
was changed when Essens
Beausoleil Island. The island was not suitable for farming, so the
converted to Christianity in
band suggested to the government that they move to Christian the early 1800s. Before that
Island. This was finally carried out in 1856, after the Georgian Bay time, all Anishinaabeg had
only one name. There were no
Treaty had ceded these areas to the government.
last names, and names were
not passed on to children. The
Another group, led by Chief William Yellowhead, purchased
practice of passing on a father’s
their land in 1828, creating their permanent home at Rama.
last name came from the
Chief Joseph Snake remained with his group at Snake Island, British Crown.
eventually moving to the neighbouring larger Georgina Island,
which was better suited to farming. This island is the site of the WORDS TO KNOW
present-day Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation.
band: a community of First
Nations people who have
chiefs, traditions, and usually
lands, for whom the federal
government is holding lands
and monies for their benefit
ceded: gave

Beausoleil First Nation 15

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