Page 7 - Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation

his book tells of our community, Mississaugas of Scugog
Island First Nation. We want to share with you some
information about how we live and how we came to
Tlive this way. As you come to know us, you will learn to WORDS TO KNOW
appreciate the diversity of our people. You will come to know diversity: variety
that we have a unique way of life, but that we also live in
federal: to do with the national
much the same way as members of neighbouring communities. government of Canada
Although we have special traditions, we generally eat, learn, Indian Act: federal laws that
govern all parts of life for
shop, and play in much the same way as other Canadians
First Nation people who are
in Southern Ontario. You will come to know that through registered under the act
the Indian Act, we are bound to federal and provincial
governments like no other ethnic group in Canada (see page 65
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. We are working to change these laws.

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 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 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 65 of the Resources section for more information
may see our name spelled as Anishinabek (Ah-nish-in-
about the Indian Act)
aw-beck). 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 Anishinaabemowin word
people or land-base of the original people who reside or
Misi-zaagiing (Miss-se-zah-g-eeng). Misi-zaagiing means
are connected by birth or marriage to lands reserved in
“[Those at the] Great River-mouth” because we were
Canada for the original people
known to live near the mouth of the river.
Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation 5

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