Missanabie Cree First Nation
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Missanabie Cree First Nation is a Treaty 9 Nation.
[edit] Historical Timeline
Evidence and records suggest that by as early as the 1870’s, members of the Missanabie Cree had settled in the areas surrounding present day Missinaibi Lake, Dog Lake and Wabatongushi Lake. According to Elders’ testimony and anthropological evidence, the Missanabie Cree had utilized these lands from time immemorial to hunt, fish and trap for food, for ceremonial purposes and to provide for the cultural, spiritual and economic well being of their people.
1660s Father Allouez confirmed that Cree people regularly traveled between Lake Superior and James Bay. (reported by C. Bishop – The First Century: Adaptive Changes Among the Western James Bay Cree)
1730s Cree speaking people with summer encampments at Bawating (Sault Ste. Marie) gather to fish, trade and do ceremonies. (Historians A. Greenberg and J. Morrison)
1904 Indian Affairs recognizes Missanabie Cree as an Indian band to be ‘treated with’ by Treaty Commissioners for the purpose of adhesions to Treaty Nine scheduled for 1905.
1905 Canada and Ontario enter into Treaty 9 with various Cree and Ojibwa groups to obtain surrender of 130,000 square miles or 83.2 M acres of land.
1906 Crown does not sign formal adhesions to Treaty 9 with the Missanabie Cree First Nation. The Crown does not set apart any reserve for 98 members of the First Nation living at Missanabie.
1915 Missanabie Cree’s request for land is turned down by the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development (DIAND).
1925 Creation of Chapleau Crown Preserve abrogates Missanabie Cree’s treaty rights to hunt and fish for subsistence living.
1929 Missanabie Cree’s request for land is turned down by DIAND.
1951 Missanabie Cree are formally recognized by DIAND as an Indian band.
1992 Under Indian Act, the first Chief and Council are elected by the Missanabie Cree First Nation.
1993 Missanabie Cree First Nation submits specific claim for outstanding Treaty Land Entitlement (TLE).
1996 Missanabie Cree First Nation receives letter from Canada accepting the claim, with the condition that Ontario, also a signatory to Treaty 9, be at the table. Ontario begins legal review of claim.
1998 Missanabie Cree and Canada begin preliminary meetings in April.
1999 Jointly funded studies begin. These include genealogical, traditional use, site selections, and loss of use. Legal review by Ontario is completed in June. Letter from Canada states that negotiations can begin, if Ontario comes to the table.
2000 Ontario Native Affairs Secretariat sends letter indicating Ontario would be presenting its position.
2001 Preliminary discussions of the negotiation process begin between First Nation and both levels of government. Development of work plan and negotiation framework continues.
2006 Ontario agrees to a land transfer of 15 square miles with conditions attached. Transferred land is to be credited towards the eventual settlement of the land claim (to be determined through legal action). Land area is selected. Discussions with Canada continue over Additions to Reserve process, and loss of use compensation.
