Page 7 - Moose Deer Point First Nation

his book tells of our community, Moose Deer Point First
Nation. We want to share with you some information
about how we live and how we came to live this way. As
Tyou come to know us, you will learn to appreciate the WORDS TO KNOW
diversity of our people. You will come to know that we have a diversity: variety
unique way of life, but that we also live in much the same way federal: to do with the national
government of Canada
as members of neighbouring communities. Although we have
Indian Act: federal laws that
special traditions, we generally eat, learn, shop, and play in much
govern all parts of life for
the same way as other Canadians in Southern Ontario. First Nation people who are
registered under the act
You will come to know that through the Indian Act, we are
bound to federal and provincial governments like no other
ethnic group in Canada (see page 68 of the Resources section
for more information about the Indian Act). As a result, we
live under federal and provincial laws, even though many of
our traditional ways of life, including hunting and harvesting,
have been considered illegal by the Ontario and Canadian
governments.

There are many cultural groups that make up the fabric of
Canada. We are one of those groups, but we have our own place
in that fabric. We are one of the First Nations in this country
and we take great pride in that unique and special status. We
consider ourselves to be forward-thinking and are proud of the
steps we have taken to make sure we control our own affairs.

Our hope is that as you read about us, you will come to better
understand and recognize our place in this country.

NAMES WE ARE KNOWN BY

Throughout history, we have been referred to in many Pottawatomi – generally refers to a specific tribe
ways. You will find many of those names in this book. of people
These names are still used informally and formally, but
Ojibwe – generally refers to a specific tribe of people
we call ourselves Anishinaabeg (Ah-nish-in-aw-beg),
plural, and Anishinaabe (Ah-nish-in-aw-beh), singular.
Native – sometimes used to refer to the original people
For example, someone who is Anishinaabe may say, “I
of this land
am Anishinaabe from the Anishinaabeg.” Sometimes,
you may see our name spelled as Anishinabek (Ah-nish-
Indian – refers to the original people of this land, but
in-aw-bek). This form usually relates to a formal political
today is used only in reference to the Indian Act (see
group called “The Anishinabek Nation.” The name
page 68 of the Resources section for more information
Pottawatomi refers to a subgroup of the Anishinaabeg.
about the Indian Act)
The name comes from the Ojibwe word Bodéwadmi,
which means “keepers of the fire.” First Nation or First Nations – reserved in Canada for the
original people

Moose Deer Point First Nation 5

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