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INDG1001 Homelands Assignment
Foundations of Indigenous Studies (INDG 1001H)
Trent University
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In this reflection paper, I intend to share what I have learned about the origins of the community I reside in. Bringing light to its history, the culture in which is integrated into its roots, and values that they share. I have been living in the Durham Region of Ontario, more specifically Ajax, since August of 2007. Durham Region is made up of Ajax, Whitby, Oshawa, Pickering, Clarington, Uxbridge, Brock and Scugog. Not once had I imagined that the lands I was living on, had been stolen over five centuries ago. The territories in which I live on are the traditional lands of the Mississauga's of Scugog Island, the Haudenosaunee and Huron-Wendat. Where I live is under the Johnson-Butler Purchases treaty of 1787-1788 and the Williams Treaty 20 of 1923.
The Johnson-Butler Purchases treaty often referred to as the “Gunshot Treaty” was made between seven Anishinabee First Nations and representatives of the Crown. The seven Anishinabee First Nations are Alderville, Chippewas of Georgia Island, Chippewas of Beausoleil, Chippewas of Rama, Hiawatha, Curve Lake and the Mississauga’s of Scugog Island. The treaty sometimes went by the name “Gunshot Treaty” due to the land in which the treaty referred to was so large, that a gunshot could be heard from the other end. During the signing of this treaty, there was possible intentional miscommunication of whether the land that the Mississauga's were living on were to be surrendered instead of shared with the colonizers. (Bennik, 2019). The land that was to be surrendered, stretched over the shores of Lake Ontario that continued on from the Trent River as well as the Etobicoke River. The impact of this treaty caused the Mississauga's to lose over 52 thousand kilometers of land in which they had previously used for traditional activities. (Wallace, 2018).
The Williams Treaty of 1923 was a treaty made to validate title of the lands that were taken from the seven First Nations from the Johnson-Butler treaty in 1787. The Mississauga's of Scugog Island were to receive a total of $233,425 for the land that the colonizers had already settled on. While oral traditions were made by First Nations peoples during the time of the creation of the treaty, many of its contents were misinterpreted and/ or did not make it onto the official handwritten treaty. First Nations peoples were forced to sign this treaty which resulted in them officially losing a great deal of their land to the Crown. This treaty allowed the Crown to also took away the rights of Indigenous peoples to haunt and fish outside of their reserved land. This restrained them from partaking in their traditional activities which is an important aspect of their culture. As well as a means for nourishment and their ongoing lifestyle. In 2012, the seven First Nations that took part in the Williams treaty fought tirelessly for reparations against the federal government for what had been done to them almost 100 years ago. (Wallace, 2018). Treaties that impacted their way of living and on their rightful traditional lands. In 2018, 1. billion dollars was given to the seven First Nations along with an apology from Carolyn Bennett, the Minister of Crown- Indigenous Relations. (Bennett, 2018)
Westernized culture. (Mullaly, B., & West, J. 2010). Power and control were on their minds
while the Mississauga's had a tradition to conserve and nurture the lands around them. Take care of it and use it for all it has to offer, respectfully. The Mississauga's were soon forced to move down further down South in hopes of finding a location as well off as they once occupied up North. This being what we now call Durham Region provided them with haunting trading, and fishing opportunities. This land was unoccupied and continued to thoroughly to benefit their
needs.
In Durham Region alone, the overall population was about 640,00 residents in the year 2016. Just 1% of that population identified as Aboriginal. In 2016, Ajax's population stood at 119,677 residents, Aboriginal peoples still just representing a mere 1% of that given population. This is about 2,000 people in total. (Statistic Canada, 2017). Durham holds a large Metis community along with the Mississauga's. Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) was created in created sixteen years ago in 2004. This Metis council encourages locals of the Durham Region to come together and join them in learning about metis languages, its culture and their core values. (Meis Naion of Ontario. nd). Their initiatives are to hold celebrations and help to educate and inspire
those who join them about their ancestry in which they continue to be proud of. Their community is open to anybody who is willing to join them. The MNO also advocate for Indigenous youth to help provide funds for them to go through schooling as well as earn a post-secondary education. There are various First Nation landmarks that help share the history and core values of the many Nations. In the Durham Region, the Ancestral Village of Miller makes up just one part of the Huron-Wendats landmarks. The village was said to be created in the 1200’s which held six longhouses, usually made from timber. The village was excavated in the 1950’s in which a pipe was discovered. These trail marks are made to help educate those of the history of the many First Nations peoples.
Social services were on the rise after the closing of most of the Residential Schools and in came the 60’s scoop. Though the 60’s Scoop had said to have ended in the 1980’s, yet there is still various evidence that continues to see the persist 60’s scoop like activity. The 60’s Scoop is a term used to identify the time in which Indigenous children were taken from their homes and put into the foster care system. A system which was essentially made to “take the Indian out of the child,” as stated by Sir John. A Macdonald to strip them of their Indigenous heritage. This done by people who considered themselves to be social workers and believed that what they were doing was what was best for the children. The stereotype here is that Indigenous parents were unable to efficiently take care of their own children due to their cultural beliefs and ways of life. They believed that it would be better for the child to be placed into state care. This led to more intergenerational trauma as in some cases, the parents willingly give their children up because they are led to believe that this would be the best option for their child. Most of the time, the parents had no say. This still goes on today and is now referred to as the “Millennial Scoop.” There has been a large increase of Indigenous children in the foster care system since then.
The land in which I have lived on for all eighteen years of my life have such a long and diverse history. I have gained a strong sense of respect for the people who occupied this land long before I have. First Nations people have come a long way. From being forced off of their lands by the colonizers, unincluded in the official creation of the treaties and decisions made against them. There is so much to be done. The legacy of the history of this nation is that they are strong hard working and determined people. Not once have they tried to reverse the roles, forcing leadership over residents of Canada. They not once gave up onto themselves and continued to rise up and be a strong positive influence within our communities. they have brought out a new perspective with regards to the education of their history, teaching those around them of their ancestry. How others can help too reconciliate with them. There is so much to be done. First Nations peoples have finally gained a voice and larger say in what can be done for their communities. The historical record given to us is to be used to understand what went wrong and to learn from past mistakes. The legacy of the history of this nation is created strong hard working and determined people. Their legacy will continue to help enlighten us and make sure instances of what had happened in the past, never happens again. here is so much to be done. The historical record of the First Nations is still in the process of being reformed and just continues to show how quickly the communities around us are developing. Treaties were to be a
means of mutual agreement and as reconciliation between the two parties continue to develop, our relationship with the First Nations grow stronger. I acknowledge and respect the traditional lands of which I live on. I am glad to say that as I continue to do research of the history of Indigenous peoples that I educate my family on the lands as even the road we drive on today have a history too. Canada as a whole country is a historical landmark within itself. With many shared stories traditions and people. There is a lot of work to be done, but through time and patience and unity, we can make it through, together.
Mullaly, B., & West, J. (2010). A Critical Approach to Anti-Oppressive and Anti-Privilege Theory and Practice. In Challenging Oppression and Confronting Privilege (p. 18). Oxford University Press.
Ontario Government. (2016). Discover Indigenous culture and history along the TransCanada Trail. ontario/page/indigenous-culture-and-history-along-transcanada- trail#section- Ontario Government. (2018). Map of Ontario treaties and reserves. ontario/page/map-ontario-treaties-and-reserves#t
Pmnationtalk. (2016). Indigenous Trail Markers Installed Along Ontario Trails. nationtalk/story/indigenous-trail-markers-installed-along-ontario-trails
Statistics Canada. (2017). Focus on Geography Series, 2016 Census. www12.statcan.gc/census-recensement/2016/as-sa/fogs-spg/Facts-cd-eng.cfm? LANG=Eng&GK=CD&GC=3518&TOPIC=
Stortz, G. J., & James-Abra, E. (2012). The Canadian Encyclopedia. Ajax. thecanadianencyclopedia/en/article/ajax
The Ministry of Children, Community and Social services of Ontario. (2010). Akwe:go and Wasa-Nabin. children.gov.on/htdocs/English/indigenous/akwego_wasa-nabin.aspx
Wallace, S. I. (2018). Williams Treaties. The Canadian Encyclopedia. thecanadianencyclopedia/en/article/williams-treaties
INDG1001 Homelands Assignment
Course: Foundations of Indigenous Studies (INDG 1001H)
University: Trent University
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