Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation
Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation formerly "Cape Croker" is an Ojibway First Nations reserve on unceded territory in the Bruce Peninsula in Ontario, Canada. Along with the Saugeen First Nation, they form the Chippewas of Saugeen Ojibway Territory. Chippewas of Nawash currently has a population of 700 individuals living on the reserve; however, the band roll has approximately 2080 registered in total.
Government
Current Band Council
Leaders of the Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation are elected every two years by the population registered on the band list. The last election was held August 2, 2013.
The current Chief and Council are:[1]
- Chief Arlene Chegahno
- Scott Lee
- Tony Chegahno
- Christopher Solomon Sr.
- Cheryl (Sherry Johnston)
- Paul Jones
- Kathy Jones
- Veroncia Smith
- Carlene Keeshig
- Gregory Nadjiwon
Reserves
Chippewas of Nawash have three reserves in perpetuity, amassing to 71.83 km² (27.73 sq. mi.): Neyaashiinigmiing 27 (formerly known as Cape Croker 27), Cape Croker Hunting Ground 60B and Saugeen and Cape Croker Fishing Islands 1. Of these three, the 63.81 km² (24.64 sq. mi.) Neyaashiinigmiing 27 is considered the main reserve and Saugeen & Cape Croker Fishing Island 1 is shared with Saugeen First Nation.
Official address
- Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation
RR 5
Wiarton, Ontario N0H 2T0
Phone: (519) 534-1689
Fax: (519) 534-2130
E-mail: nawash@the-matrix.ca
Media
Radio
FM Radio Station
- 100.1 - CHFN - The Chippewas of Nawash operate a low power FM station that plays an eclectic mix of Rock, country, gospel, and pow wow.
Local newspaper:
- Dibaudjimoh
Culture
The Chippewas of Nawash hold a Traditional Pow Wow every year. Chippewas of Nawash is also the home of musician Ira Nadjiwon.
Land Claims
In 1994, the Nawash and the Saugeen First Nations filed a lawsuit against the Government of Canada; the claims for land, and payment of rent on lands, discussed in early treaties are significant. "The two First Nations are claiming aboriginal title to the lands under the water covering an area of Lake Huron and Georgian Bay from south of Goderich, west to the international border and north to the mid-point between the tip of the Bruce Peninsula and Manitoulin Island; then east to the mid-point of Georgian Bay and south to the southern-most point of Nottawasaga Bay." This suit has yet to be resolved.[2]
The Official Plan for the Town of Saugeen Shores (2014) includes the following comment about this issue: "The Chippewas of the Saugeen First Nation and the Chippewas of Nawash First Nation have filed a Native Land Claim for the islands in the Saugeen River, the lands that border the north side of the Saugeen River and the shoreline from the mouth of the Saugeen River northerly around the Bruce Peninsula."[3]
Notable members
- Mary Spencer (b. 1984), Olympian middleweight boxer[4]
- Basil H. Johnston (b. 1929-2015), writer and educator
- Bryden Gwiss Kiwenzie, musician
Notes
- ↑ "New Chief at Cape Croker". Owen Sound Sun Times, August 6, 2013. Owen Sound Sun Times. Retrieved August 7, 2013.
- ↑ http://www.turtleisland.org/discussion/viewtopic.php?p=2116
- ↑ "Official Plan" (PDF). Town of Saugeen Shores. Town of Saugeen Shores. 26 March 2014. Retrieved 8 March 2017.
- ↑ "Writers-in-Residence Program: Robin Kimmerer." Archived 2013-04-02 at the Wayback Machine. HJ Andrews Experimental Forest. 2004. Retrieved 17 July 2012.
External links
Coordinates: 44°54′30″N 81°01′21″W / 44.908279°N 81.022634°W