Algonquins of Pikwàkanagàn First Nation
Encyclopedia
The Algonquins of Pikwàkanagàn First Nation, formerly known as the Golden Lake First Nation, are an Algonquin First Nation in Ontario
, Canada
. Their territory is located in the former township of South Algona (now part of Bonnechere Valley
) in the Ottawa Valley
on Golden Lake
.
As of October, 2008, the registered population of the First Nation was 1,992 people, of which only 406 people lived on their own reserve.
, meaning "[beautiful] hilly country [covered] in evergreens".
In September 1856, five families petitioned the Governor General for a grant of 200 acres (80.9 ha) of land per family since their hunting grounds had been opened up for settlement and sale. Their request was denied. However on September 17, 1873, the Algonquins of Pikwàkanagàn received Crown Patent to a total of 1561 acres (631.7 ha), which became the First Nation's reserve
.
Many Algonquin skills are still practiced among the Algonquins of Pikwàkanagàn though assimilation with surrounding non-native communities and enforced Residential schooling has had an impact on their people, including several generations of their population raised without their culture, language and traditions. Now efforts are being made to bring culture, language and tradition into the forefront of their lives. Community members still participate in harvesting for food and fur, an annual Pow-wow
unites people and tribes, food and crafting skills have survived and language skills though greatly diminished are being introduced into the community again.
.
The Council is an independent member of the Union of Ontario Indians
, a tribal political organization representing many of the First Nations not located in the far northern Ontario
.
of 688.8 hectares (1,702.1 acre) is adjacent to the hamlet of Golden Lake which is located between the villages of Killaloe
and Eganville
, about 40 kilometres (24.9 mi) south of Pembroke
. The land straddles the south shores of Golden Lake
and the Bonnechere River
.
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. Their territory is located in the former township of South Algona (now part of Bonnechere Valley
Bonnechere Valley, Ontario
Bonnechere Valley is a township in Renfrew County, Ontario, Canada. It had a population of 3,665 in the Canada 2006 Census.-Communities:The administrative and commercial centre of Bonnechere Valley is Eganville, a small community occupying a deep limestone valley carved at the Fifth Chute of the...
) in the Ottawa Valley
Ottawa Valley
The Ottawa Valley is the valley along the boundary between Eastern Ontario and Western Quebec along the Ottawa River. The valley is the transition between the Saint Lawrence Lowlands and the Canadian Shield...
on Golden Lake
Golden Lake
Golden Lake is a body of water located in Renfrew County Ontario, located on the Bonnechere River approximately 25 km southwest of Pembroke, Ontario...
.
As of October, 2008, the registered population of the First Nation was 1,992 people, of which only 406 people lived on their own reserve.
History
The name "Pikwàkanagàn" comes from the AlgonquinAlgonquin language
Algonquin is either a distinct Algonquian language closely related to the Ojibwe language or a particularly divergent Ojibwe dialect. It is spoken, alongside French and to some extent English, by the Algonquin First Nations of Quebec and Ontario...
, meaning "[beautiful] hilly country [covered] in evergreens".
In September 1856, five families petitioned the Governor General for a grant of 200 acres (80.9 ha) of land per family since their hunting grounds had been opened up for settlement and sale. Their request was denied. However on September 17, 1873, the Algonquins of Pikwàkanagàn received Crown Patent to a total of 1561 acres (631.7 ha), which became the First Nation's reserve
Indian reserve
In Canada, an Indian reserve is specified by the Indian Act as a "tract of land, the legal title to which is vested in Her Majesty, that has been set apart by Her Majesty for the use and benefit of a band." The Act also specifies that land reserved for the use and benefit of a band which is not...
.
Many Algonquin skills are still practiced among the Algonquins of Pikwàkanagàn though assimilation with surrounding non-native communities and enforced Residential schooling has had an impact on their people, including several generations of their population raised without their culture, language and traditions. Now efforts are being made to bring culture, language and tradition into the forefront of their lives. Community members still participate in harvesting for food and fur, an annual Pow-wow
Pow-wow
A pow-wow is a gathering of North America's Native people. The word derives from the Narragansett word powwaw, meaning "spiritual leader". A modern pow-wow is a specific type of event where both Native American and non-Native American people meet to dance, sing, socialize, and honor American...
unites people and tribes, food and crafting skills have survived and language skills though greatly diminished are being introduced into the community again.
Families
Commonly known families associated with the Algonquins of Pikwàkanagàn include: Amikons, Baptiste, Benoit, Bernard, Cooke, Commanda, Jocko, Kohoko, Lavalley, Leclaire, Meness, Sarazin, Tennisco and Whiteduck.Culture
Omàmiwininì Pimàdjwowin(the Algonquin Way Clutural Centre) and the Manido Chiman Museum are located at 1674 Mishomis Inamo, Pikwakanagan First NationPikwakanagan First Nation
Pikwakanagan First Nation is a First Nations reserve in Ontario....
.
Governance
The First Nation's leadership is determined though the Custom Electoral System, consisting of a chief and six councillors. The current Chief is Kirby Whiteduck. The councillors are Sherry Kohoko, Harold-Jerrow Lavalley, Clifford Meness, Joseph Meness, Richard Sarazin and Mary-Vicky Two-Axe. Their term will end on March 26, 2011.The Council is an independent member of the Union of Ontario Indians
Union of Ontario Indians
The Union of Ontario Indians is an Aboriginal political organization representing 42 member First Nations in the Canadian province of Ontario. It was formed in 1919 and incorporated in 1949, to serve as a political advocate and secretariat for the Anishinabek Nation...
, a tribal political organization representing many of the First Nations not located in the far northern Ontario
Northern Ontario
Northern Ontario is a region of the Canadian province of Ontario which lies north of Lake Huron , the French River and Lake Nipissing. The region has a land area of 802,000 km2 and constitutes 87% of the land area of Ontario, although it contains only about 6% of the population...
.
Services
- Administration
- Council House
- General Government
- Education
- Finance
- Economic Development
- Economic Initiatives
- Lands, Estates and Membership
- Health
- Health Centre
- Medical Transportation Services
- Native Alcohol and Drug Abuse Worker
- Public Works
- Social Services
Reserve
The First Nation have reserved for themselves the Pikwakanagan Indian Reserve, formerly known as Golden Lake 39 Indian Reserve. Their reserveIndian reserve
In Canada, an Indian reserve is specified by the Indian Act as a "tract of land, the legal title to which is vested in Her Majesty, that has been set apart by Her Majesty for the use and benefit of a band." The Act also specifies that land reserved for the use and benefit of a band which is not...
of 688.8 hectares (1,702.1 acre) is adjacent to the hamlet of Golden Lake which is located between the villages of Killaloe
Killaloe, Ontario
Killaloe is a town located in Renfrew County, Ontario, Canada in the township of Killaloe, Hagarty and Richards. Geographically it is located in Eastern Ontario. The shores of Golden Lake are located to the east, which is well known for quality angling and year round recreation...
and Eganville
Eganville, Ontario
Eganville is a small community occupying a deep limestone valley carved at the Fifth Chute of the Bonnechere River in Renfrew County, Ontario, Canada. It is in the township of Bonnechere Valley. This village also has two of the most popular restaurants in the upper Ottawa Valley: The Granary and...
, about 40 kilometres (24.9 mi) south of Pembroke
Pembroke, Ontario
Pembroke is a city in the province of Ontario, Canada, at the confluence of the Muskrat River and the Ottawa River in the Ottawa Valley...
. The land straddles the south shores of Golden Lake
Golden Lake
Golden Lake is a body of water located in Renfrew County Ontario, located on the Bonnechere River approximately 25 km southwest of Pembroke, Ontario...
and the Bonnechere River
Bonnechere River
The Bonnechere River is a river in the Saint Lawrence River drainage basin in Nipissing District and Renfrew County in eastern and northeastern Ontario, Canada. The river flows from Algonquin Provincial Park to the Ottawa River east and north of the town of Renfrew...
.
External links
- Algonquins of Pikwàkanagàn First Nation website
- Profile of the First Nation from the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Affairs
- Omàmiwininì Pimàdjwowin: The Algonquin Way Cultural Centre