Walpole Island First Nation
| Walpole Island 46 Bkejwanong | |
|---|---|
| Unceded territory | |
| Walpole Island Indian Reserve No. 46 | |
|
Governance building | |
  Walpole Island 46 | |
| Coordinates: 42°33′N 82°29′W / 42.550°N 82.483°WCoordinates: 42°33′N 82°29′W / 42.550°N 82.483°W | |
| Country |
 Canada |
| Province |
 Ontario |
| County | Lambton |
| First Nation | Walpole Island |
| Government | |
| • Chief | Dan Miskokomon |
| • Federal riding | Lambton—Kent—Middlesex |
| • Prov. riding | Lambton—Kent—Middlesex |
| Area[1] | |
| • Land | 137.47 km2 (53.08 sq mi) |
| Population (2006)[1] | |
| • Total | 1,878 |
| • Density | 13.66/km2 (35.4/sq mi) |
| Time zone | EST (UTC-5) |
| • Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) |
| Area code(s) | 519 and 226 |
Walpole Island is an island and First Nation reserve in southwestern Ontario, Canada, on the border between Ontario and Michigan in the United States. It is located in the mouth of the St. Clair River on Lake St. Clair, about 121 kilometres (75 mi) by road from Windsor,[2] Ontario and 124 kilometres (77 mi) from Detroit, Michigan.[3]
In addition to Walpole Island, the reserve includes Squirrel, St. Anne, Seaway, Bassett, and Potawatomi islands. It is unceded territory and is inhabited by the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa peoples of the Walpole Island First Nation, who call it Bkejwanong, meaning "where the waters divide."[4]
It is independent of, but within the geographic region of Lambton County and adjoins the municipality of Chatham-Kent and the township of St. Clair. Across the St. Clair River to the west are the United States city of Algonac, Michigan, and Clay Township. Harsen's Island, also unceded Anishinaabe territory, is now on the west side of the international border line. The border was redrawn in the 19th century following disputes between the United Kingdom and the United States; their governments were oblivious to the interests and rights of the Indigenous peoples living on and using these lands. Walpole Island is known as the resting place of Tecumseh, prominent 19th-century leader of the Native American tribe known as the Shawnee.
The Island is also home to many different environmental efforts including the Walpole Island Land Trust[5] and the Purple Martin Project[6] run by Richard Carr.
Demographics
As of January 2011, the registered population of the Walpole Island First Nation is 4315 members, of whom 2213 live on the reserve, 22 live on another reserve, and 2080 live off reserve.[7]
| ||||||||||
| Historical population | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
| 1991 | 1,370 | — |
| 1996 | 1,525 | +11.3% |
| 2001 | 1,843 | +20.9% |
| 2006 | 1,878 | +1.9% |
| [10] 2011 population unavailable. | ||
Images
-
St. Clair River with Walpole Island in the background
-
View of Walpole Island as seen from across the St. Clair River
-
Entry to Walpole Island from ferry to Algonac
See also
- Bauzhi-Geezhig-Waeshikum
- Alexander McKee - Indian Department agent who founded the Walpole Island settlement
References
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Walpole Island First Nation. |
- 1 2 "Walpole Island 46 community profile". 2011 Census data. Statistics Canada. Retrieved 2015-06-23.
- ↑ "Walpole Island, Ontario to Windsor, Ontario". Google Maps. Google. 2014. Retrieved 20 December 2014.
- ↑ "Walpole Island, Ontario to Detroit, Michigan". Google Maps. Google. 2014. Retrieved 20 December 2014.
- ↑ Walpole Island Heritage Centre - About nin.da.waab.jig
- ↑ "Walpole Island Land Trust -". walpolelandtrust.com. Retrieved 2015-10-14.
- ↑ "Purple martin project thriving locally | Chatham Voice". Retrieved 2015-10-14.
- ↑ "Walpole Island Registered Population", Indian and Northern Affairs Canada - First Nation Profiles
- ↑ "2006 Community Profiles". Canada 2006 Census. Statistics Canada. March 30, 2011. Retrieved 2011-02-24.
- ↑ "2001 Community Profiles". Canada 2001 Census. Statistics Canada. February 17, 2012. Retrieved 2011-02-24.
- ↑ Statistics Canada: 1996, 2001, 2006 census
