Page 17 - Chippewas of Rama First Nation

The area between Lake Ontario, Lake Simcoe, and Georgian Bay
eventually became very important to the government of Upper
Canada, although the people of the Six Nations Confederacy
and Anishinaabeg lived there. One fear settlers had was that
First Nations would band together and stand in their way. The
federal government made great efforts to obtain the “surrender”
of land in what is now Simcoe and York Counties.

During the War of 1812, the Anishinaabe people were loyal to
the British. They signed a temporary agreement transferring
101 171 hectares between east of Lake Huron and Lake Simcoe.
In 1815 and 1881, over 800 000 hectares were “surrendered”
by Chief Joseph Snache, Chief John Assance, and Chief
William Yellowhead.

Our history tells us that these chiefs did not to intend to
“surrender” the land, but rather to guarantee its protection
for their people. The Anishinaabeg gained little from these
agreements, although promises were made for payment as
the land was sold to settlers. In 2018, the Chippewas of Rama,
the other Williams Treaty First Nations, Canada, and Ontario
negotiated a settlement for the Alderville litigation. Achieved
through partnership and dialogue, the settlement advances
reconciliation and resolves outstanding issues in a way that
respects the rights and interests of the seven Williams Treaties
First Nations and all Canadians.

Chief Snake, standing,
and Chief Yellowhead,
sitting by the tree, with a
government official

Chippewas of Rama First Nation 15

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