Page 14 - Georgina Island

WORDS TO KNOW The Anishinaabeg moved south from the area north of Lake
Crown: the source of power to Superior in 1683, eventually settling on Georgina Island in
govern a country the mid-1800s. The Anishinaabeg lived a semi-nomadic life
nomadic: travelling from place throughout these hunting areas, moving between summer and
to place
winter territories. Meanwhile, the government moved non-
treaties: agreements
Indigenous settlers into this area, and attempted to establish
between nations
treaties with the Anishinaabeg. In the late 1700s and early 1800s,
a number of treaties were signed.

During the American War of Independence in 1776, Europeans
began to develop relationships with First Nations based on their
military and strategic needs. They made many promises to First
Nations for protection, homes, and general welfare. The promises
were not always honoured, neither then nor in later years.

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. Fearing 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.
Chief John Assance’s original During the War of 1812, the Anishinaabe people were loyal to the
name was Essens (Eh-sehns), British. They signed a temporary agreement transferring 101 171
which means “Little Shell.” It
hectares between east of Lake Huron and Lake Simcoe. In 1815
was changed when Essens
converted to Christianity in and 1881, over 800 thousand hectares were “surrendered” by Chief
the early 1800s. Before that Joseph Snake, Chief John Assance, and Chief William Yellowhead.
time, all Anishinaabeg had
only one name. There were no
last names, and names were
not passed on to children. The
practice of passing on a father’s
last name came from the
British Crown.

This plaque in Georgina Island
First Nation honours the memory
of the 10 000 First Nations soldiers
who defended Canada against the
United States in the War of 1812.

12 Georgina Island First Nation

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